Kinship Relationships and Marriage in Ubulu-Uku Kingdom: A Sacred Bond

Ubulu Kingdom, located in present-day Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria, holds kinship relationships as sacred and inviolable, both in ancient times and in modern society. Family ties are revered, and the concept of "half-sibling" or "extended family" does not exist. In Ubulu, family is family, and all male relatives are regarded…

ByIde Nze4 days ago0Comments

Historical Studies

Normative and Non-Normative Ethics in Ancient Ubulu Traditional Society

The ancient Ubulu-Uku society, like several traditional African societies, lived under a set of guidelines that were moral, spiritual, and social. Usually, these codes are from deep philosophical and spiritual beliefs; they ensure harmony, respect, and adherence to culture. Below are some significant practices and ethical guidelines defining the moral fabric of…

ByIde Nze4 days ago0Comments

Cultural Heritage

The Abiriba Afor Ukwu Celebration: A Symbol of Heritage and Unity

The Abiriba Afor Ukwu Celebration in Aba, 2024. Photo by Kepukepu TV. The Abiriba Afor Ukwu celebration is a grand annual cultural festival rooted in the traditions of the Abiriba people of Abia State, Nigeria. Known as one of the most prominent events in the region, it reflects the community’s deep-seated values, history, and unity. This…

ByChuka4 days ago0Comments

Historical Studies

The Enuani People And Their Role in the Coronation of the Oba of Benin

Oba of Benin’s coronation / Punch The Enuani people of Ubulu-Uku, especially the descendants of the legendary Ezemu, have a unique cultural and historical connection with the Benin Kingdom. Their role in the coronation of the Oba of Benin showcases the depth of their spiritual, medicinal, and diplomatic significance. Ezemu: The Mystical Grandmaster Ezemu was…

ByIde Nze4 days ago0Comments

Cultural Heritage Indigenous Architecture

War Towers of Igbo Compounds: Guardians of a Troubled Past

A tower like this was used in the Igbo hinterland for defensive purposes specifically in the Anambra area during the era of the slave trade, an area which was ravaged by raiders coming mostly from the east. Most towers are gone today. Photo: Awka Nibo Nise, Zbigniew Dmochowski. During the Atlantic slave trade, Igbo communities in…

ByChuka4 days ago0Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage

The Representation of Igbo Women in Early Colonial Photography: A Focus on Northcote Thomas’s Work

An Igbo woman photographed by Northcote Thomas, Onicha Olona, 1912. The Igbo people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria and Africa, have a rich cultural heritage that has been documented through various mediums. Among these are the photographs of Igbo women captured by British anthropologist Northcote Thomas between 1910 and 1911 during his ethnographic…

ByChuka4 days ago0Comments

Indigenous Architecture

Igbo Compound Entrances: A Study of North-Central Igbo Architecture

The architecture of the Igbo people offers unique insights into their cultural heritage, artistic creativity, and spiritual beliefs. Among the most distinctive architectural features are the entrances to Igbo compounds, particularly in the north-central regions. These entrances are not only functional but also symbolic, encapsulating the aesthetics and cultural identity of the Igbo community. Igbo compound…

ByChuka4 days ago0Comments

Photos

A man from Mgbakwu, present day Anambra State, and the titled elder Onyeso were photographed by Northcote Thomas in the early 1910s.

A man from Mgbakwu, p-day Anambra State, and the titled elder Onyeso were photographed by Northcote Thomas in the early 1910s. Igbo men commonly wore long, flowing robes known as ótógbo, featuring wide, round necklines and open sides. This term is also used in Idoma and Igala.
It is possible that the elder Onyeso in the photograph is the son of Eze Nri Enweleana and the father of the current Eze Nri, Nri Enwelana, Eze Nri Onyeso.

ByChukaDecember 6, 20240Comments

Cultural Heritage

Kinship, Sexuality, and Social Values Among the Igbo: Insights from Ngwa Society

The Igbo culture places greater emphasis on the father-child relationship than on the husband-wife bond or any other kinship ties. Within this cultural framework, sexual interactions in the family are primarily directed toward achieving a crucial social objective: the continuation of the male lineage. Unlike some other societies, Igbo traditions do not demand exclusivity in…

ByChukaDecember 6, 20240Comments

Ethnohistory

A Glimpse into History: The Story of a Child from Mgbakwu

A photograph of a young girl from Mgbakwu, located in what is now Anambra State, was taken by British government anthropologist Northcote Thomas between 1910 and 1911. This image was part of colonial studies aimed at understanding African societies to facilitate indirect rule, a key strategy in British imperial governance. The photograph, originally black and…

ByChukaDecember 6, 20240Comments

Blog Standard

Kinship Relationships and Marriage in Ubulu-Uku Kingdom: A Sacred Bond

The Abiriba Afor Ukwu Celebration: A Symbol of Heritage and Unity

The Enuani People And Their Role in the Coronation of the Oba of Benin

War Towers of Igbo Compounds: Guardians of a Troubled Past

The Representation of Igbo Women in Early Colonial Photography: A Focus on Northcote Thomas’s Work

Igbo Compound Entrances: A Study of North-Central Igbo Architecture

A man from Mgbakwu, present day Anambra State, and the titled elder Onyeso were photographed by Northcote Thomas in the early 1910s.

Kinship, Sexuality, and Social Values Among the Igbo: Insights from Ngwa Society

A Glimpse into History: The Story of a Child from Mgbakwu

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