Series
11 records
Ala (also spelled Àlị or Ani) is one of the most significant deities in Igbo cosmology, embodying the earth, morality, fertility and justice. She is the giver of life, the receiver of the dead, and the enforcer of divine law. Among the Igbo, she is deeply revered, and her sacred laws, known as omenala, govern…
In an unknown Igbo community, likely in present-day Anambra State, the Alusį (divinity) compound stood as a sacred space dedicated to traditional spiritual practices. The compound’s walls were designed with ùlì motifs, a unique art form commissioned to skilled women who decorated these shrines with detailed patterns. A photograph by Tom Eighmy from the University…
The Ekpe House or Ulò Èkpè, is an anthropomorphic structure traditionally constructed for the funeral rites of Ekpe members in Abiriba, part of the Cross River Igbo cultural area in southeastern Nigeria. Photographed locally around 1970, this structure exemplifies the elaborate architectural and cultural expressions associated with the Ekpe society, also known as the Leopard…
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. Architectural…
Introduction Mbari houses are unique cultural and spiritual edifices found in Igbo land, particularly in the Owerri region and some substantial number of towns in Imo states and Rivers States, Nigeria. These ceremonial structures serve as artistic expressions of gratitude to Ala, the Earth goddess, and other deities. Built as part of religious rituals, Mbari…
“View of Ekpe (Egbo) society meeting house in Umuajatta (Olokoro) village [Umuahia area]. The house had a tall thatched roof, and a wall painted by an Annang artist in the style of Ngwomo ghost houses. Surrounded by trees.” G. I. Jones, 1930s. The from the 1930s fieldwork of G. I. Jones, a British anthropologist and…
These towers became popular in Igbo compounds around today’s Anambra & Imo States due to the effects of the Atlantic slave trade which included raids in order to capture people to enslave. The towers, also known as “war towers” and known in some areas as obuna enu or ụnọ aja, was essentially a watchtower which…
The Nsude Pyramid (Nkpura) Shrine is an archaeological site near the modern-day Enugu community of Nsude, in southeast Nigeria. The Nsude Pyramid was built by the indigenous Igbo people of Nsude and environs. The primary construction material is mud built upward in a circular manner. The exact period when the pyramid was built has not…
The Obu serves as the traditional assembly hall for titled elders, where important decisions regarding the community are made. It is a symbol of authority, unity, and cultural identity, deeply rooted in the heritage of the Abiriba people, who are part of the Cross River Igbo group. The Obu/Obi/Obiri house in Abiriba, often referred…
The portal to an Igbo compound with a wooden carved door or gate and relief figures in earth from Northern Igbo communities, as captured in a photograph by J. Stocker in the early 20th century, highlights the rich architectural and artistic traditions of the Igbo people. Such doors and gates were often intricately carved with…
Mbari House Mbari is a traditional Igbo art form and architectural structure from southeastern Nigeria. An Mbari house is a large, elaborate building or shrine complex adorned with intricate sculptures, carvings, and murals depicting various aspects of Igbo life, mythology, and culture. Mbari houses were built by skilled artists and craftsmen, often taking years…
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