By: Sunny Orbih.
Veritas University Abuja
Over the years, the series of unexplained illnesses and deaths amongst Nollywood actors have raise concerns to many Nigerians; whether these occurrences were natural or has spiritual undertones. Some have attributed it to be the resultant effects of the fetish things some actors do to get roles and remain relevant in the industry. But haven seen a lot of these movies myself, I concluded that the assertion might not be completely true in all cases. However, there is a need to warn the players in this industry about the dangers of some acts/scenes with spiritual implications which they often take for granted but have grave spiritual consequences.
Throughout history, ‘words’ have been regarded as powerful instruments capable of shaping reality. Whether in religion, mysticism, or traditional practices, the spoken word has been seen as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. The entire creation itself was Spoken into existence as most religions’ spiritual books puts it. Incantations and invocations in particular, are spiritual utterances that act as keys to unlock hidden spiritual realms. They are like codified passwords that, when correctly pronounced, produce definite effects. However, the casual or ignorant use of such utterances; especially in entertainment, rituals, or careless experimentation can lead to dire consequences. This exposé aims to explore the nature of incantations and invocations, the dangers of their misuse, and why the indiscriminate recitation of some powerful spiritual words, particularly in Nollywood films and dramatic performances, should be discouraged.
What Are Incantations?
An incantation is a set of spoken or chanted words believed to have magical, spiritual, or supernatural effects. These words are often drawn from ancient languages, spiritual texts, or oral traditions and are carefully preserved within secretive religious or mystical circles.
Incantations are used for various purposes, including:
• Protection from harm
• Summoning spiritual entities
• Cursing or blessing someone.
• Healing or harming individuals
• Unlocking hidden knowledge or power
What Is an Invocation?
An invocation is a more direct call to a spiritual entity, deity, or force. It is an appeal or request made through spoken words, chants, or prayers. Invocations are often part of religious ceremonies, mystical traditions, or ritualistic performances, and they serve to:
i. Call upon divine presence for guidance or power
ii. Summon supernatural forces for assistance
iii Establish a connection between the physical and spiritual realms.
In many traditions, an invocation must be precise. If properly pronounced, it can compel a spirit or force to manifest and act upon the invoker’s request.
Many belief systems, including African spirituality, Christianity, Islam and mysticism, emphasize that spirits respond to their names when called. If an actor, for instance, recites an ancient invocation accurately; whether they believe in its power or not, the spiritual entity associated with it may manifest or attach itself to the person.
Some spiritual traditions hold that spirits, once invoked, do not simply vanish. They linger around the invoker, influencing their thoughts, emotions, and actions. If the person lacks the spiritual authority or knowledge to control such entities, they may suffer one or more of the under listed:
(i). Strange illnesses that defy medical diagnosis, (ii). Mental disturbances such as nightmares, (iii). Hallucinations, or paranoia, (iv). Persistent misfortunes in career, (v). health, and relationships
(v).Sudden death, particularly if the invoked spirit demands a price.
The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, is known for its unapologetic portrayal of traditional African spirituality, including scenes of ritualistic performances, summoning of spirits, and occultic practices. While these portrayals enhance storytelling, there have been real-life reports of actors suffering tragic fates after engaging in such roles. Some have fallen ill mysteriously, experienced psychological distress, or even passed away under questionable circumstances.
For instance; Actors who played roles of occult grandmasters, ritualists, marine spiritualists, or have had burial rites performed for them or placed in a casket / grave, have reported encountering inexplicable occurrences in their personal lives. Some have claimed to hear voices, see strange figures, or experience haunting nightmares after their roles.
Several Nollywood actors have reported experiencing spiritual encounters or challenges after portraying certain roles. A veteran Nollywood actor, Musa Ibrahim, discussed profound personal challenges and spiritual attacks he faced after certain roles. Musa Ibrahim, a lead actor in the 2007 Nollywood film 666, spoke out about his experiences during and after the production of the movie. Ibrahim, who has been absent from the Nollywood scene for over 18 years, opened up about the challenges he faced following his role in the controversial film. “The film 666 wasn’t just an ordinary movie, though many may perceive it as such,” he stated. Ibrahim revealed that his involvement in the film led to a series of personal challenges, including what he described as spiritual attacks.
“After the movie, I had an accident and was hospitalized for nearly two years. For you to expose the devil, it’s not an easy task. Viewers just watch movies, but we, the actors, experience the repercussions firsthand. After that movie, I went through a lot,” he shared on his social media page.
Nigerian Eucharia Anunobi and Ghanaian Majid Michel, known for their roles in Nollywood films, became a born-again Christians and has been involved in ministry work. Yul Edochie has also shared his spiritual journey, transitioning from acting to exploring religious and spiritual endeavors.
These instances highlight the complex interplay between the roles actors portray and their personal spiritual experiences.
Many religious scriptures also warn against the casual invocation of spiritual entities. The Bible, for example, explicitly states:
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain”, which punishment is death, (Exodus 20:7). This suggests that calling upon divine or supernatural forces without reverence or purpose is dangerous.
“Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them” (Leviticus 19:31). This verse warns against summoning spirits without divine authority.
Similarly, African traditional religions and other mystic traditions emphasize that spirits should only be engaged by those trained and authorized to do so. Even trained spiritualists perform rituals with great caution, ensuring proper sacrifices, prayers, and protections are in place.
Given the spiritual risks associated with incantations and invocations, filmmakers should be cautious in their depiction of ritualistic scenes. The following recommendations could be adopted:
I. Avoiding the use of real incantations: Instead of using actual spiritual words, they can create fictional phrases that mimic the effect without real consequences.
II. Consulting spiritual authorities: Traditional priests, religious scholars, and spiritual leaders should be involved in guiding such portrayals to prevent accidental invocations.
III. Performing cleansing rituals after such roles: Actors who take on spiritually intense roles should engage in prayers, fasting, or traditional purification rites afterward.
IV. Raising awareness among actors: Actors should be educated on the potential dangers of uttering real invocations, allowing them to make informed decisions.
The unseen world is real, and spiritual utterances; whether spoken in rituals, prayers, or films carrys power. While storytelling is a vital aspect of culture and entertainment, it must be done with wisdom. Those who carelessly invoke spiritual entities without the proper knowledge or authority may find themselves battling forces beyond their control.
Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, history is filled with accounts of individuals suffering inexplicable consequences after engaging with things they did not fully understand. In light of this, Nollywood filmmakers, actors, and even audiences should be cautious about toying with spiritual forces.
As the saying goes: “If you cannot control a spirit, do not summon it.”
