Harmony in Four Days: The Spiritual Elements and Cultural Rhythms of the Igbo Market Week

The Igbo people, who live in southern Nigeria, have a strong culture and spiritual beliefs that they use to understand life and the universe. The biggest part of this belief is the four-day market week, known as Nkwo, Eke, Orie, and Afor. These days are not just mere market days for buying and selling; they…

ByChukwuwike OssaiApril 19, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Living Omenani: How Igbo Traditions Shape Daily Life

Omenani is the big word that lgbo people use to talk about their tradition, customs, and way of life that came from their ancestors. It's like a rule book that guides how Igbo people live, marry, give birth, bury dead, farm, trade, and even talk to their gods and spirits. Omenani is not something that they wrote…

ByChukwuwike OssaiMarch 8, 20250Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory ⁠Religion and Spirituality

The Spiritual Hierarchy of Odinani: Chukwu to Alusi

The Ngene figure, known as Alusi Ngene, is a carved wooden representation that embodies both male & female physical attributes. It features scarification marks & carved bangles on the ankles & wrists. Collected by Northcote Thomas in Awgbu, present-day Anambra, Nigeria, in 1911 For the Igbo people who follow Odinani, the world has levels. Chukwu, the…

ByChukwuwike OssaiMarch 5, 20250Comments

Indigenous Architecture

Mbari Houses: A Living Tradition of Igbo Architecture, Spiritual and Artistic Expression

Urata-Igbo Mbari house dedicated to Amadioha, photographed by William Fagg in Owerri. British Museum. Introduction Mbari houses are unique cultural and spiritual edifices found in Igbo land, particularly in the Owerri region and some substantial number of towns in Imo states and Rivers States, Nigeria. These ceremonial structures serve as artistic expressions of gratitude to Ala,…

ByChuka OdikeDecember 2, 20240Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography Indigenous Architecture

The Igbo Mbari House: A Cultural and Historical Perspective

"I[g]bo MBARI house. 28/2/46. at EBELE, OWERRI [now in Imo State, Nigeria]. Figures of telephone operators" William Fagg. British Museum. 22 June 2018The Igbo Mbari house is a traditional architectural and artistic expression of the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria. On February 28, 1946, a notable Mbari structure was documented at Ebele, Owerri (now part…

ByChuka OdikeNovember 23, 20240Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage

Alusi in Igboland

Alusi in Orsu, West Isuama Igbo. G. I. Jones, 1930s. In Igbo cosmology, Alusi (also known as Arusi or Chukwu’s servants) are deities or spirits that serve as link between the Supreme Being (Chukwu or Chi Ukwu) and humans. They represent various aspects of the natural world, morality, and community governance. The reverence of Alusi is…

ByChuka OdikeNovember 22, 20240Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography

Shared cultural heritage between the Oratta (Urata) and Etche people

"The goddess of the earth," as described by P. A. Talbot, c. 1932. Musée du quai Branly. This may be Ala, the Igbo earth divinity and the man pictured may be an Eze Ala, a head priest of Ala. Ala is represented by trees and shrubs. Etche and Oratta tribes share several cultural, linguistic, and traditional…

ByChuka OdikeOctober 11, 20240Comments

⁠Religion and Spirituality

Amadioha: The Igbo God of Thunder

Usòrò: Urata-Igbo Mbari house dedicated to Amadioha, photographed by William Fagg, near Owerri Amadioha Amadioha is the Arusi or Agbara of thunder and lightning of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. He is amongst the most popular of Igbo deities and in some parts of Igboland, he is goes by various names across Igboland such as…