Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage

The Okumkpa Igbo Masquerade of Afikpo: A Cultural Expression of the Igbo People

Musicians and chorus at the Okumkpa performance, Mgbom village, Afikpo Village-Group (Cross River Igbo area), Nigeria, 1959-1960. Photo: Simon Ottenberg. The Igbo people of Nigeria are known for their rich cultural heritage, and one of the most captivating aspects of this heritage is their masquerade traditions. In Afikpo, a town in southeastern Nigeria, the Okumkpa masquerade…

ByChukaNovember 13, 20240Comments

Cultural Heritage

Ọkụkọ Ani: The Role of the Sacred Rooster in Igbo Rituals

Ọkụkọ Ani. Photo: Onwa_Nnewi The Igbo people have rich cultural and spiritual traditions, and the rooster known as Ọkụkọ Ani is one of the most important animals in their rituals. The rooster is more than just an animal to the Igbos; it is a symbol of fertility, protection, and a very important part of spiritual rituals.…

ByIde NzeNovember 13, 20240Comments

Cultural Heritage Historical Studies

A Thorough Look at the History and Growth of Akwete Weaving

A statue of a weaver in Akwete town, Abia State, Nigeria. Photo: Eco Warrior Princess. Akwete weaving is a unique and traditional craft that plays an important part in the culture of the Igbo people in Nigeria, particularly in the town of Akwete in the Ndoki region, Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia…

ByIde NzeNovember 13, 20240Comments

Cultural Heritage

Igbo Textile Art and Preserving Culture through Patterns

The Igbos are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, tracing a rich cultural heritage several centuries back. Textile Art is an essential part of Igbo tradition and is woven into the fabric of social, religious, and economic life. Through its intriguing patterns, colors, and designs, Igbo textile art is a visual representation of…

ByIde NzeNovember 12, 20240Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Egwu Ota : The Sacred Musical Heritage of Onicha

Onicha Chief dancing egwu ọta, Ofala Festival At the center of the cultural way of life amoung ndi Igbo, Egwu-Ota is a revered practice that is cherished amoung Ndi ichie, Obi, and red cap chiefs. This tradition of melody holds an important role in the festivity of various Igbo communities , mostly the elaborate Ite Omatu…

ByChukwuwike OssaiNovember 12, 20240Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography

PORT-HARCOURT: Between the Diobu-Ikwerre and the Okrika

The Diobu were originally linked to the Okrikans by trade and intermarriage and the anglicization of both Okrika abc and Diobu furthered the bond between the two communities. As a result of the Anglican Church's earlier penetration into the Ijaw country, Ijaw missionaries and educators (some of Okrikan origin) became the Diobu's first ministers and teachers. The…

ByAkachukwu VitalisNovember 8, 20240Comments

Cultural Heritage

Ima Nzu: A Celebration of Purity and Tradition in Igbo Culture

Left: George Agbo and Obi Victor Nwokobia talking about nzu during fieldwork in Okpanam. Right: A close-up of the molded chalk. Photos by Glory Chika-Kanu. Ima Nzu is the heart of Item, a village Situated within the Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Ima Nzu is a cultural heritage that revolves around nzu…

ByIde NzeNovember 7, 20240Comments

Cultural Heritage Historical Studies

Chukwu is Aro, Not Nri: Understanding Igbo Cosmology Beyond Misinterpretations

Sketch of Igbo Cosmology / Unknown source. Many have misunderstood the concept of "Chukwu" in Igbo culture. That confusion arose partly due to colonialism and missionization that sought to reform Igbo understandings of deity to better fit Judeo-Christian beliefs about one all-powerful God . However, Igbo worship was historically a belief in many gods, each…

ByIde NzeNovember 2, 20240Comments

Cultural Heritage Historical Studies

Unmasking the Myth: Igbo Origins Are African, Not Hebrew

Lejja, the World's Oldest Iron-Smelting Site in Nigeria / Things Nigeria Igbo people, also known as "Ndi Igbo," have a history rooted deeply in West Africa, with both archaeological and genetic studies offering clear views into their most ancient origins. For instance, evidence from Lejja in Nsukka reveals that over 4,000 years ago, long before the…

ByIde NzeNovember 2, 20240Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography Ethnohistory Historical Studies

Igbo Recoil : Unyielding Spirit of an Ancient Traveler Tribe

Mgbedike Masquerade of Nri-Oka, Seen in Okitipupa, Ondo State 1940s Igbo people, from ancient times have been proven to be travelers and sojourners, their exploration spirit has most times led them to settle in distant areas s including parts of Ile Ife down to benin areas. However, certain misconceptions for long time has clouded the history of…

ByChukwuwike OssaiNovember 1, 20240Comments

Blog Standard

The Okumkpa Igbo Masquerade of Afikpo: A Cultural Expression of the Igbo People

Ọkụkọ Ani: The Role of the Sacred Rooster in Igbo Rituals

A Thorough Look at the History and Growth of Akwete Weaving

Igbo Textile Art and Preserving Culture through Patterns

Egwu Ota : The Sacred Musical Heritage of Onicha

PORT-HARCOURT: Between the Diobu-Ikwerre and the Okrika

Ima Nzu: A Celebration of Purity and Tradition in Igbo Culture

Chukwu is Aro, Not Nri: Understanding Igbo Cosmology Beyond Misinterpretations

Unmasking the Myth: Igbo Origins Are African, Not Hebrew

Igbo Recoil : Unyielding Spirit of an Ancient Traveler Tribe

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