Each month carried an agricultural and spiritual task:
- Ọnwa Mbụ (Feb–Mar): new year, the Igu Aro festival and distribution of yam seed.
- Ọnwa Abụọ (Mar–Apr): clearing farms and spiritual cleansing.
- Ọnwa Ife Eke (Apr–May): the hunger season (Ugani), fasting for Ala, wrestling contests.
- Ọnwa Anọ (May–Jun): planting of seed yams; Ekeleke dance festival.
- Ọnwa Agwụ (Jun–Jul): honouring Agwu, spirit of divination and medicine; adult masquerades appear.
- Ọnwa Ifejiọkụ (Jul–Aug): the yam deity and the New Yam Festival.
- Ọnwa Alọm Chi (Aug–Sep): a month for women, motherhood, shrines and female ancestors.
- Ọnwa Ilo Mmụọ (Sep): learning and cosmic balance.
- Ọnwa Ana (Oct): Ala, moral law and justice.
- Ọnwa Okike (Nov): creation stories and offerings to Chukwu Okike.
- Ọnwa Ajana (Nov–Dec): Okike rites continue; cleansing.
- Ọnwa Ede Ajana (Dec): end of the ritual cycle; reflection.
- Ọnwa Ụzọ Alụsị (Jan–Feb): offerings to the alusi for the coming year.