In 1959, anthropologist Simon Ottenberg documented a small group of Igbo wood-masked dancers in Ugwuoba village, Nigeria. These dancers wore elaborate costumes made of raffia and leaves, which are traditional materials commonly used in masquerades across various Igbo communities. Masquerades are integral to Igbo cultural and spiritual life, serving both entertainment and ceremonial purposes. The…
“Tom Ibe, my field assistant wearing okpu ngwo (hat-raffia). Diviners (dibia) use it when carrying sacred objects for swearing an oath somewhere, but anyone can do so when it rains. Ancient hat form rarely seen nowadays. Note that it was used in Afikpo Yam Priest’s compound the day of first cooking of new yams.” –…
Place Afikpo
Okpoha Ngodo is a traditional Igbo performance art form, combining: Music (drums, flutes), Dance, Theater and Storytelling. Okpoha Village-Group, located northwest of Afikpo, is an Igbo community known for it’s rich cultural heritage, traditional art forms (e.g., woodcarving, pottery), agricultural practices (e.g., yam cultivation) The performance likely took place during a significant event, such as:…
Place Okpoha
A glimpse into Enugu’s past! The photo by Simon Ottenberg, taken in Enugu, Nigeria, 1960, captures a moment in time, provides a rare, authentic glimpse into the everyday life and cultural heritage of the Igbo people as Nigeria approached its independence on October 1, 1960. This image, rich in historical and anthropological value, highlights various…
Ozikoro