Language forms the backbone of cultural identity, communal memory, and historical continuity. Among the numerous linguistic groups in Nigeria, the Kalabari people of Rivers State stand out as one of the most culturally rich subgroups of the Ijaw ethnic nationality. The Kalabari language, often classified as an Ijaw dialect, is central to the people’s identity,…
“Okwu bụ ndụ.” (Words are life). The old proverb could well summarise Emenyonu’s life’s work. To him, literature was not simply art; it was history, language, and identity woven together like the intricate threads of akwete cloth. From Umuahia to the World Born in Umuahia, Abia State, in the heart of Igboland, Ernest Nneji Emenyonu grew…
In the heart of Africa, where words carry rhythm and wisdom, stood Fredrick Nnabuenyi Ugonna, a man whose life became a testament to the saying, “A na-amụta asụsụ n’ụlọ ka e wee mara onye bụ onye” (One learns language at home to know where they come from). He was not just a linguist but a…
Asụsụ bụ mkpụrụ obi nke mmadụ ( Language is the soul of a people). In the decades after World War II, Nigeria was alive with political awakening. Yet among the Igbo, another revolution was quietly taking place, not on the battlefield or in parliament, but in the classroom and on the printed page. At its…
The Igbo language and art are integral components of the cultural heritage of the Igbo people of Nigeria. While these cultural expressions have thrived for centuries, globalization and modernization pose significant threats to their survival. This article explores the significance of Igbo language and art, the challenges they face, and strategies for their promotion and…