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Ichafu is a common name for traditional headgear in Alaigbo, being the prime fashion accessory for Igbo women for over a century and a half. This article explores the history, origins, etymology and influence of Ichafu on modern-day Nigerian fashion. The History and Etymology of Ichafu Before the widespread use of the term ‘‘Ịchàfụ̀’’, headgear…
The Owu masquerades occupy a significant place in the cultural and spiritual identity of the Kalabari people of the Eastern Niger Delta. As a water-spirit masquerade tradition, Owu represents the close relationship between the Kalabari and the aquatic world that surrounds their communities. Rooted in centuries of riverine cosmology, Owu masquerades are far more than…
Masquerade traditions across the Niger Delta are often portrayed as exclusively male-controlled institutions, with strict rules prohibiting women from participating as performers. However, among the Kalabari people of Rivers State, the role of women in masquerade culture particularly in the Owu and other water-spirit masquerades, is far more nuanced. While men physically don the masks,…
Among the Ijo (Ijaw) peoples of the Niger Delta, the Duein Fubara stands out as one of the most important sacred objects linking the living to their ancestors. While to an outsider it may appear to be a carved wooden panel, within Ijo cosmology the Duein Fubara is a spiritual device, an embodiment of…
Among the Kalabari people of the Niger Delta, the Sekiapu (also called the Ekine Society) stands as one of the most important cultural institutions linking artistry with authority. Often described as a “dance society,” the Sekiapu is far more than performance. Historically, it functioned as an agency of governance: enforcing laws, preserving moral order, mediating…
Ozikoro