Ozikoro
OzikoroArchive

Subject

Nise

5 records filed under this subject

War Towers of Igbo Compounds: Guardians of a Troubled Past

During the Atlantic slave trade, Igbo communities in southeastern Nigeria faced unprecedented threats especially north-central Igboland. Raids and kidnappings became commonplace as slavers sought captives to fuel the transatlantic human trade. In response, the Igbo people developed a unique architectural feature: war towers. Known locally as “obuna enu or ụnọ aja”, these towers were a…

The Art of Afa Divination: Stephen Nwedozie’s Legacy in Umuazu, Nise (1966)

This is a rather special photograph, taken in 1966 by one Herbert Cole, of one of the more famous diviners, Stephen Nwedozie, in Umuazu, Nise, Nigeria. The photo shows Nwedozie throwing the afa chains, a traditional means with which Igbo people foresee their future. This photograph aids in providing more insight into Igbo people’s spiritual…

Afa Divination: Spiritual Guidance in Igbo Culture

Stephen Nwedozie, a renowned diviner from Umuazu, Nise, was photographed by Herbert Cole in 1966, casting afa chains. Afa, the Igbo system of divination, is a vital part of the culture and religious practices, offering spiritual guidance and solutions to personal and communal issues. Divination, or afa in the Igbo language, is an ancient practice…