ancestral spirits Archives ~ Ozi Ikòrò

29

The Igbo of southeastern Nigeria developed a sophisticated system of craftsmanship, artistic specialization, and spiritual symbolism expressed through guilds and craft lineages. Among the most respected of these were the…

26

Dec 2025

Ethnohistory Folklores Historical Studies

Traditional Festivals and Masquerades: How They Connect to Christmas in Eastern Nigeria

Tall masquerade (Izaga) in southeastern Nigerian festival tradition. Photo credit; Wikipedia. In many Igbo communities of Eastern Nigeria, Christmas is not only a Christian celebration but also a season deeply connected…

03

Dec 2025

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Folklores Historical Studies

The Cult of the Goddess: The Supreme Deities in Ijaw Traditional Religion

Woyengi, the creator goddess. Photo credit: Mythlok. Ijaw traditional religion is a complex spiritual system rooted deeply in the ecological, historical, and cultural experiences of the Niger Delta people. At its…

03

Dec 2025

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Folklores Historical Studies

Worshiping the Water Spirits: Owu and the Cosmology of the Ijaw

Festival for the water spirits. Photo credit; wellsbringhope.org The Ijaw people of the Niger Delta possess one of West Africa’s richest and most enduring cosmological traditions. Central to this worldview is…

03

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Historical Studies

The Power of the Female Gaze: Women’s Role in Kalabari Masquerade Performance

Photo credit: alamy. Masquerade traditions across the Niger Delta are often portrayed as exclusively male-controlled institutions, with strict rules prohibiting women from participating as performers. However, among the Kalabari people of…

03

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

The Sekiapu and Governance: How the Dance Society Maintained Law and Order

Among the Kalabari people of the Niger Delta, the Sekiapu (also called the Ekine Society) stands as one of the most important cultural institutions linking artistry with authority. Often described…

11

Nov 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Folklores Historical Studies

The Voodoo Legacy: Religion and Culture in Modern Benin

The photo credit for the image is Kanaga Africa Tours. The image depicts participants in the annual Fête du Vodoun (Vodoun Festival) in Ouidah, Benin. Voodoo, or Vodun as it is…

26

Jul 2025

Cultural Heritage

Osenabo Ọgwụ Ịfụzo and Its Dangers in Ọdịnana Igbo Spirituality

Osenabo Ọgwụ Ịfụzo. Photo: Oma's Garden In Igbo culture, spirituality is deeply rooted in Ọdịnana, the traditional practices that connect the Igbo people to their ancestors, deities, and the natural world.…

14

Jul 2025

Cultural Heritage

The Vital Role of Ụmụ Ada and Ụmụ Ọkpụ in Igbo Society

Ụmụ Ada Group. Photo: Dibia Nwangwu Uchendu In Igbo culture, women hold a special place, and one of the most powerful groups is the Ụmụ Ada, also known as Ụmụ…

16

Mar 2025

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

The Ojiji Izhi Nnodo, Festival of Izzi: A Sacred Celebration of Yam and Unity in Ebonyi State

Ojij Izhi Nnodo (new Yam Festival In Izhi (Izzi) Of Ebonyi State - Culture Forum Izhi. Imagine a land where the earth yields its bounty in golden tubers, where the air…

Tag: ancestral spirits

The Guilds and the Sacred Carver (Onye Na-Aku Pka) in Igbo Traditional Society

The Cult of the Goddess: The Supreme Deities in Ijaw Traditional Religion

Worshiping the Water Spirits: Owu and the Cosmology of the Ijaw

The Voodoo Legacy: Religion and Culture in Modern Benin

Osenabo Ọgwụ Ịfụzo and Its Dangers in Ọdịnana Igbo Spirituality

The Vital Role of Ụmụ Ada and Ụmụ Ọkpụ in Igbo Society

The Ojiji Izhi Nnodo, Festival of Izzi: A Sacred Celebration of Yam and Unity in Ebonyi State