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  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">NDJOP</journal-id>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title>Niger Delta Journal of Philosophy &amp; African Values</journal-title>
        <abbrev-journal-title abbrev-type="publisher">NDJOP</abbrev-journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
      <issn pub-type="epub">3141-1800</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>Department of Philosophy, Niger Delta University</publisher-name>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.66286/ndjop.fl9hhadb</article-id>
      <title-group>
        <article-title>Analyzing Spirit Forms in Obi Ekwenchi’s “From the Spirit World” and “Rhythm (From the Spirit World)” Paintings</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group>
        <contrib contrib-type="author" corresp="yes">
          <name>
            <surname>Yibowei</surname>
            <given-names>Zeekeyi Denison</given-names>
          </name>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Polo</surname>
            <given-names>Anthony Ebikabowei</given-names>
          </name>
        </contrib>
      </contrib-group>
      <author-notes>
        <corresp id="cor1">
          <email>zeekeyiyibowei@ndu.edu.ng</email>
        </corresp>
      </author-notes>
      <pub-date pub-type="epub" date-type="pub" iso-8601-date="2026-04-03">
        <day>3</day>
        <month>4</month>
        <year>2026</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>1</volume>
      <issue>1</issue>
      <fpage>71</fpage>
      <lpage>84</lpage>
      <history>
        <date date-type="received" iso-8601-date="2026-04-03">
          <day>3</day>
          <month>4</month>
          <year>2026</year>
        </date>
        <date date-type="accepted" iso-8601-date="2026-04-03">
          <day>3</day>
          <month>4</month>
          <year>2026</year>
        </date>
      </history>
      <permissions>
        <copyright-year>2026</copyright-year>
        <copyright-holder>Department of Philosophy, Niger Delta University</copyright-holder>
        <license license-type="open-access" ns0:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">
          <ns1:license_ref>https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/</ns1:license_ref>
          <license-p>This article is published under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.</license-p>
        </license>
      </permissions>
      <abstract>
        <p>Metaphysical auras, or spirit forms, have been a recurring theme in art and culture for centuries, with diverse interpretations across the African continent. Ekwenchi's paintings exemplify a profound understanding of this ancient discipline, reflecting either a deliberate revival or a continuum of knowledge that persists beyond the disruptions of Western influence. Rooted in antediluvian practice, the portrayal of spirit forms in African visual traditions encapsulates a cosmological worldview that predates and, in many respects, transcends the epistemological frameworks imposed by Western canons. This study presents a comprehensive survey of existing arguments on metaphysical auras, highlighting their enduring significance in art, culture, and spiritual expression. The discussion critically examines the extent to which Western aesthetic traditions have reshaped or paradoxically reinvigorated indigenous practices. The findings will be valuable for future studies and pedagogical learning, offering nuanced insights into the intersection of art, culture, and spirituality within the Nigerian and broader African context, ultimately affirming the resilience and continued relevance of metaphysical thought in African artistic practice.</p>
      </abstract>
      <kwd-group kwd-group-type="author-keywords">
        <kwd>Spirit Forms</kwd>
        <kwd>Interpretation</kwd>
        <kwd>Western Canon</kwd>
        <kwd>Antediluvian Practice</kwd>
      </kwd-group>
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    </article-meta>
  </front>
  <body>
    <sec sec-type="fulltext-availability">
      <p>The full text of this article is available as a PDF. Please refer to the self-uri elements in the article metadata.</p>
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