The Nri people are a significant Igbo ethnic group in Igbo land that established their influence through a state system that was rooted in deep, profound religious beliefs. At the core of this system was the Eze Nri, a physical representation of a higher supernatural authority, believed to reside in Nri town. To understand the…
Rituals of Protection: The Akalogoli Charm and Igbo Beliefs on Malevolent Spirits in the Early 1900s
Burning palm flower [man burying akalogoli charm to ward off evil spirits]. Photo: Northcote Thomas, early 1910s.In the early 1910s, Northcote Thomas captured a photograph titled “Burning palm flower [man burying akalogoli charm to ward off evil spirits].” The term Akalogoli is thought to derive from the Igbo words akala, meaning sign or mark, and…