The traditional calendar (Ogụ afọ Igbo) counts 13 months (onwa) of 7 weeks (izu). Each week has four days — Eke, Orie, Afọ and Nkwọ — giving a 28-day month and a 364-day year, with an extra day added from time to time to keep pace with the sun.
The four market days are far more than trading dates: they are sacred forces tied to directions and elements, and they organize work, courts and festivals.
| Day | Direction | Association | Typical observances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eke | East | Beginnings, fire, ritual cleansing | Very sacred; some farm work is forbidden in many towns |
| Orie | West | Water, calm, reflection | Dispute resolution, cleansing rites and major rural markets |
| Afọ | North | Earth, agriculture, practicality | Planting, building and farm markets |
| Nkwọ | South | Air, community, communication | Lively trade, smithing, festivals and storytelling |
Month names and exact placement against the solar calendar vary by region; the sequence below is a widely used outline.