Akpu Tree in Igbo Tradition and Spirituality

Akpu tree, known botanically as Ceiba pentandra, is a sacred tree in Igbo cosmology. Revered as a tree of fertility, protection, and ancestral presence, Akpu is believed to bridge the physical and spiritual worlds. From its use in healing and food to its deep role in rituals, divination, and community justice, this living shrine embodies the union of nature and spirit. With its role ranging from sheltering sacred groves, hosting the spirits of unborn children, to standing guard as a mystical protector, Akpu tree remains a significant symbol of life, continuity, and divine order in Igbo spirituality.