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Tag: Awka

Igbo Masquerades as Colonial Satire: The Ghost Policemen and Oyibo Masks

Igbo ghost policemen masks, representing symbols of colonial authority, were part of the same masquerade performance as the Oyibo or Onye Ocha mask from Amobia (Amawbia), previously mentioned. Captured by G. I. Jones in the 1930s. MAA Cambridge.   Masquerades hold a central place in Igbo cultural and spiritual traditions, often serving as a means of social…

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An Igbo man from Achala, p.d. Anambra State, photographed by British colonial government anthropologist Northcote Thomas, 1910-1911. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge.

The Name “Anambra” Is Not New: A Look at Its Indigenous and Colonial Origins

An Igbo man from Achala, now in Anambra State, was photographed by British colonial anthropologist Northcote Thomas between 1910 and 1911. The photo is kept at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Cambridge. Many believe "Anambra" is a recent invention created during Nigeria's post-colonial period. However, historical records prove that variations of the name—such as…

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Cultural Artifacts of Igbo Society: Ikenga and Ofo

The Igbo culture of Nigeria is rich in symbolism and traditional artifacts that reflect its worldview, spiritual practices, and societal structure. Among these artifacts, the Ikenga and Ofo stand out as powerful representations of personal achievement, moral authority, and spiritual connection. This article explores these artifacts using historical photographs and the cultural context in which…

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Michael Okpara: A Legacy of Leadership and His Remembrance Day

Introduction Michael Iheonukara Okpara (1920–1984) was a visionary Nigerian statesman, medical doctor and nationalist leader who significantly influenced Nigeria’s political and economic landscape, particularly as the Premier of Eastern Nigeria (1959–1966). Known for his focus on agricultural development, industrialization and education, Okpara’s leadership continues to serve as a model for self-reliance and economic transformation in…

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The Representation of Igbo Women in Early Colonial Photography: A Focus on Northcote Thomas’s Work

An Igbo woman photographed by Northcote Thomas, Onicha Olona, 1912. The Igbo people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria and Africa, have a rich cultural heritage that has been documented through various mediums. Among these are the photographs of Igbo women captured by British anthropologist Northcote Thomas between 1910 and 1911 during his ethnographic…

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Uli Art and Cultural Transformation in Igboland: The Influence of Missionary Intervention and the Resilience of Igbo Artistic Traditions

Igbo lady decorating house walls with uli, Igboland. Photo by Margaret Courtney-Clarke, late 1980s. Uli art, a distinctive form of body and wall decoration traditionally practiced by Igbo women, represents a unique cultural heritage in Igboland. This art form utilizes fluid, abstract motifs applied to walls, bodies, and ceremonial structures, often with deep symbolic meanings tied…

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