Cultural Heritage Archives ~ Page 3 of 50 ~ Ozi Ikòrò

29

Mgba Okpukpu is the nomenclature for bone setting in Alaigbo, its an age long tradition among ndi igbo. Ndi b’anyi na si na “ ekele onye Akidi , ogwu onye…

29

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Historical Studies

The Guilds and the Sacred Carver (Onye Na-Aku Pka) in Igbo Traditional Society

The Igbo of southeastern Nigeria developed a sophisticated system of craftsmanship, artistic specialization, and spiritual symbolism expressed through guilds and craft lineages. Among the most respected of these were the…

29

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Historical Studies

Ritual Vessels and Domestic Ware in Igbo Culture: Understanding the “Ofo” and “Okwa”

Photo credit; Wikipedia. Among the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria, ritual and domestic objects hold deep symbolic and cultural significance. Two of the most important traditional items are the Ofo and…

29

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

The “Omu” and Women’s Influence on Wood Aesthetics in Igbo Society

In traditional Igbo society, artistic production, especially woodcarving, was historically dominated by men. Yet women exercised profound aesthetic, symbolic, and moral influence on the creative process. Central to this influence…

26

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Folklores Historical Studies

The Igbo Homecoming Tradition: Origins and Where It Is Today

The Igbo homecoming tradition, often expressed through seasonal returns to the ancestral homeland, is one of the most enduring cultural practices in Igboland. Whether called "ịlọ Ụlọ" (returning home), "ịzapụọ…

26

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Historical Studies

Nsibidi: Africa’s Lost Script — The History of the Ancient Efik-Ibibio Writing System and Its Use in the Ekpe Society

Nsibidi (sometimes spelled “Nsibiri”) is one of Africa’s oldest indigenous writing systems. Originating among the Ejagham people of southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon, it was later adopted and expanded by…

24

Dec 2025

Cultural Heritage Folklores Historical Studies

House Systems and Trade Empires: How the “Efik House” (Ufok) Functioned as Both a Family Unit and a Corporate Trade Entity

Map of Calabar. Photo credit; Wikipedia. The Efik of Old Calabar developed one of West Africa’s most sophisticated socio-economic institutions: the “House system,” known in Efik as Ufok. Far more than…

24

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Discography Historical Studies

Calabar as a Seaport: The 400-Year History of One of West Africa’s Most Significant International Trade Hubs.

Duke town, a key settlement in the seaport’s trade network. Photo credit; Wikipedia. For more than four centuries, Calabar has stood as one of West Africa’s most influential seaports, serving as…

24

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Historical Studies

The Ikom Monoliths: A Window into Nigeria’s Ancient Heritage

The Ikom Monoliths, locally known as "Akwanshi," are among Nigeria’s most remarkable archaeological and cultural treasures. Located primarily in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, these monoliths consist…

24

Dec 2025

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Historical Studies

“The ‘Comey’ System: Understanding the customs duties paid by European ships to Efik chiefs.”

The comey system was a key feature of commerce in Old Calabar, the main trading center of the Efik people along the Cross River in southeastern Nigeria. From the seventeenth…