 Ndebunze, or Ndichie, are the deceased ancestors who are considered to be in the spirit world, "àlà mmúọ́".In Odinani, it is believed that the dead ancestors are invisible members of the community; their role in the community, in conjunction with Ala, is to protect the community from epidemics and strife such as famine and smallpox.Ancestors helped chi look after men.