A Catholic priest, Echezona Obiagbaosogu, has announced his resignation from the church to embrace African traditional religion. Obiagbaosogu, who is a lecturer in African Traditional Religion at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, recently completed his PhD dissertation titled *Rainmaking and Control in Igbo African Medicine: A Case Study of Isieke in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State*. His academic research delved into the ancient African practice of rainmaking, a subject that deeply resonated with his spiritual journey.

Obiagbaosogu’s findings highlighted that rainmaking involves a blend of natural elements, spiritual communication, and what he referred to as “African science.” He identified three primary techniques used by Igbo rainmakers, known as “dibia ogwu.” These include the use of clay tripods with concoctions, coldrone structures infused with fermented herbs, and psycho-spiritual methods harnessing the human mind’s power. His research revealed how these practices combine science and spirituality to influence weather patterns.

After serving as a Catholic priest for 17 years, Obiagbaosogu described his decision to leave the priesthood as a quest to reconnect with African cultural and spiritual traditions. He noted that colonial influences had undermined these practices, prompting his desire to preserve and explore them further. Reflecting on his upbringing, he attributed his appreciation for traditional knowledge to his father, a Christian who valued indigenous medicinal practices, and his maternal grandfather, a staunch traditionalist.

Obiagbaosogu’s journey began with a childhood curiosity about rainmaking, further fueled by a seminary experience where he witnessed a family friend demonstrate the practice. His academic research deepened this interest, leading him to spend months studying under a renowned native doctor. He emphasized that African traditional practices should be viewed as a form of science rather than superstition, arguing that they represent untapped knowledge deserving codification and preservation.

Describing his transition as a natural progression, Obiagbaosogu maintained that his decision was not a rejection of God but an embrace of the divine through authentic African spirituality. He called for a reevaluation of African traditional practices, urging society to value and document them as scientific contributions rather than dismissing them as mere folklore.

©The advocate