In Afa, Afo market day can be understood as Atulukpa Ululu, the principle of what is bound together becoming grounded in reality. Atulukpa represents things tied, wrapped, or distinguished, while Ululu represents gravity and anchoring within the physical world. Together they explain why Afo is associated with ancestral presence and communal stability. This teaching shows that traditions, identities, and obligations remain strong when they are both properly bound and firmly grounded in the life of the community.

Afa language which is used primarily for divination and spiritual consultation in Igbo spirituality, consists of specific terminologies that typically differ from everyday (regular) Igbo words. Knowing these Afa terms and their regular Igbo and English equivalents can provide deeper insight into your cultural and spiritual practices as an Odinani practitioner. This post contains Afa terms with “Atulukpa”, their regular Igbo equivalents, and their English meanings.