Beauty

Young Igbo girl from the early 20th century. Photo by G. T. Basden.

Traditional Igbo Tattooing: A Cultural Expression of Identity and Womanhood

Traditional tattooing in Igbo society was more than mere body decoration; it was a deeply symbolic and significant practice, tied to rites of passage, identity, and artistry. The custom of facial and body tattooing, particularly among Igbo women, reflected cultural values, beauty ideals, and societal roles. This practice, which often involved cicatrisation, is most famously…

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

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 surveys. These photographs, now preserved and some colourized, provide…