Igbo Jews
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Igbo Jewish Community presented with a plaque. |
| Total population |
|---|
| Over 40,000 by religion (est.) |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Nigeria, Israel |
| Languages |
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Traditionally, Igbo Hebrew as a liturgical and common language |
| Religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
The Igbo Jews are members of the Igbo people of Nigeria who practice Judaism and are said to be descended from Mediterrenian Israelites migration into West Africa.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Igbo Jews of Nigeria are one of the components of the Igbo ethnic group. They are said to have migrated from Syrian, Portuguese and Libyan Israelites into West Africa. Historical records shows that this migration started around 740 C.E. According to Amateur Jewish Historian and Forensic Science investigator Chinedu Nwabunwanne of Aguleri, who resides in Los Angeles and has researched this subject for more than 15 years at the UCLA libraries in Los Angeles, "the migration started when the forces of Caliph Mohammed -the last leader of the Umayyads- and his Qaysi-Arab supportes defeated the Yamani-Arab Umayyads of Syria in 744 C.E; sacked the Yamanis and their Jewish supporters from Syria. The Syrian-Jewish migrants tribes Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher resettled in Nigeria where they became known as Sambatyon Jews. In 1484 and 1667 Judeans and Zebulonians from Portugal and Libya respectively joined Sambatyon Jews of Nigeria. Thus, Nigerian Jews originated from the following six Israelite tribes: Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher and Zebulon.It is interesting to note that these six tribes are the same tribes Moses repeated their names twice when blessed the Children Of Israel.The six tribes mentioned above is The House of Judah or The House Of Jacob. The remaining six tribes not mentioned above is The House Of Ephraim or The House Of Israel."
[edit] Outreach
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Outreach to Nigerian Jews by the wider Jewish world community gained official status in 1995 – 1997, when Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin sent a team to Nigeria in search of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.[1] Western rabbis and educators such as Rabbi Gorin have visited the community at times[2] and Jewish communities in the West support those in Nigeria by sending books, computers, and religious articles.[3] However, the State of Israel has, to date, not officially recognized the Igbo as one of the Lost Tribes.
In 2004-2008, Rabbi Yaacov Behrman made numerous trips to Nigeria to help the Israeli community with Jewish community development. During those visits Rabbi Behrman met with Igbo leaders and visited their community centers. Rabbi Behrman concluded that they lack evidence and refused to recognize them as Jews.
[edit] Religious practices
Religious practices of the Igbo Jews include circumcision seven days after the birth of a male child, observance of kosher dietary laws, separation of men and women during menstruation, wearing of the tallit and kippah, and the celebration of holidays such as Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah. In recent times, the communities have also adopted holidays such as Hanukkah and Purim, which were instituted only after many of the tribes of Israel had already dispersed.
[edit] See also
- Jews and Judaism in Africa
- Lost Tribes of Israel
- Jews of the Bilad el-Sudan (West Africa)
- House of Israel (Ghana) - Jews of Ghana
- Howshua Amariel
[edit] References
- ^ Adeze Ajukwu "Interview with Sir Nat Okafor-Ogbaji" Kwenu June 8 2004.
- ^ "Rabbi Returns to Nigeria for 3-Week Mission.." Tikvat Israel February 13 2006
- ^ "Tikvat Israel ships scripture to Nigeria" Tikvat Israel January 11 2006.
[edit] External links
- Hebrew Karaite Community Igbo Bene Israel
- Re-Emerging: The Jews of Nigeria
- Jews of Nigeria and Uganda
- Kulanu
- Packing for Nigeria
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