Igbo market women
Before European invaders came to change how buying and selling worked in Igbo land, women, particularly Ndi-Ahia in places like Aboh, Ahaba, Onicha has prepared well for both far and near business.
They know more about trade, and they are much in the market, they sell crop harvests, hand-made clothes, and many more things…
Igbo masquerade ©Lasttribe
The Igbo people are a brilliant definition of how variety can foster cultural harmony. The Igbo did not stop being one of Nigeria's most cohesive ethnic groupings, by a common language that brings communities across geographical areas. The Igbo language remains the primary identity marker, signifying the tenacity and continuity of pan-Igbo culture,…
Anioma Carnival ©OFAAC
Anioma Carnival
©OFAAC
Ndi Anioma is predominantly the Igbo-speaking group of present-day Delta state, politically, they are grouped to Delta North senatorial district, although, some parts of Edo state like Igbanke and its environs that speak Ika are politically carved into Edo state today but they are part of Anioma, the boundaries of Anioma spans…
Obi of Oligbo
Oligbo ancient Kingdom of Issele-Uku crowned, Obi Nduka Ezeagwuna II, on December 21, 2016
The coronation of Oligbo kingdom, deeply rooted in Igbo sacred rites and customs , showcased the people's dedication towards the preservation of their rich Igbo cultural heritage and it also highlighted the symbol of continuing the authority passed down via…
Left: George Agbo and Obi Victor Nwokobia discussing nzu during fieldwork in Okpanam; Right: close-up of the molded chalk. / Glory Chika-Kanu.
Ọdinala, also known as Ọdinani, translates to "as it is in the Earth/land"; it is the ancestral spiritual science of the Igbo people. This represents traditional Igbo beliefs that Ani/Ala, the Divine Earth Mother,…
Young Igbo men
In Ahaba , the system of age grade is one of the most intricate structure that socially guards a the journey of males from youthfulness to elderhood.
The hierarchy starts with "Nziza Ezi" which is from (age 0-18),
This is followed with "Okwulagwe" (age 19-45), the next hierarchy following Okwulagwe is the "Ochokoloma" (age 46-55),
"Oturaza"…
Ndi Eze Ahaba
Egwu-Ota stands out as more than just a dance move in Ahaba, it embodies an important thread in the traditional, political, social, and spiritual institutions
Being a royal dance, Egwu-Ota is exclusive solemnly to the Obi and Asagba titleholders; the dance acts as a crucial rite that sharpens the leadership of Ahaba and gives…
Oba Ji festival ©Owusi Obiora
Prior colonial invasion into Igbo society, spiritual beliefs guided every layer and way of life of the people, strong revered female deities and goddesses were big players in both social and political structures.
The worship of Ala, the (earth goddess) was important as it guided the values of Igbo culture ,offenses against…
Anioma Agwube dancers ©OFAAC
Ndi Anioma in the eastern region are mostly discussed within the historical context of migrations and external influence. However, these various historical narratives do not stand a chance in overshadowing the deep seated Igbo roots of ndi Anioma.
Migrants from defunct Benin empire settled in Anioma Igbo areas like Illah, Akwukwu, Ogwashi-Ukwu and…
An Òkòròshì Ọma mask from Mgbala-Agwa in today's Oguta LGA of Imo State
Òkòròshì masquerades perform religious and timekeeping functions. Except in Mbieri area where the festival occurs towards December, Òkòròshì masquerade features shortly before the harvest of the New-yam , between July and August.
There are two kinds of Okroshi. Òkòròshì Ọma and Òkòròshì Ọjọ, the…