colonialism Archives ~ Ozi Ikòrò

18

The mastery of firearms among many West African communities before and during the colonial era depended heavily on specialized guilds, wards, and lineages responsible for weapon production, maintenance, and ritual…

13

Jan 2026

Architectural Woodwork: The “Iji-Owa” and Carved Door Panels

Architectural woodwork has long played a central role in the artistic and cultural identity of many West African societies. Among the most distinguished traditions is the use of the Iji-Owa…

02

Jan 2026

Anthropology and Ethnography Ethnohistory Historical Studies

“Eze Uzu” (King of Blacksmiths): Examining the Socio-Political Power of the Awka Iron-Working Guilds During British Pacification

Before the establishment of British colonial rule in southeastern Nigeria, Awka stood as one of the most influential craft centers in Igboland. Renowned for their mastery of iron, Awka blacksmiths…

24

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Discography Historical Studies

Calabar as a Seaport: The 400-Year History of One of West Africa’s Most Significant International Trade Hubs.

Duke town, a key settlement in the seaport’s trade network. Photo credit; Wikipedia. For more than four centuries, Calabar has stood as one of West Africa’s most influential seaports, serving as…

24

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Ethnohistory Historical Studies

From Slaves to Palm Oil: Analyzing the Economic Pivot of the 1840s and Its Impact on Efik Social Structure

Site of a slave market at Akpabuyo in the Calabar area, featured in a major exhibit of the museum. Photo credit; Wikipedia. The Efik people of the Cross River region in…

24

Dec 2025

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Historical Studies

“The ‘Comey’ System: Understanding the customs duties paid by European ships to Efik chiefs.”

The comey system was a key feature of commerce in Old Calabar, the main trading center of the Efik people along the Cross River in southeastern Nigeria. From the seventeenth…

18

Dec 2025

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Folklores

Onughotu: The Igbo Deity of Unity and Communal Harmony

Photo credit; Igbo Cyber Shrine. Igbo traditional religion, commonly known as Odinani, is a complex spiritual system rooted in community life, moral order, and cosmic balance. Within this worldview, deities (alụ́si)…

09

Dec 2025

Biography Discography

Paul Robeson: Voice, Resistance, and Global Legacy

Inscribed Photographic Portrait of Paul Robeson, ca 1940s. Photo credit: Lorne bair.com Paul Robeson remains one of the most influential African American cultural figures of the twentieth century. His legacy spans…

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…

03

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

The War Canoe House System (Wari): Kalabari’s Unique Engine of Commerce and Governance

Photo credit: Wikipedia. Among the Kalabari people of the Niger Delta, the War Canoe House System called wari, stands as one of the most sophisticated traditional institutions in West African history.…

Tag: colonialism

The Iwoki Ward: The Specialists of the Gun

Architectural Woodwork: The “Iji-Owa” and Carved Door Panels

“Eze Uzu” (King of Blacksmiths): Examining the Socio-Political Power of the Awka Iron-Working Guilds During British Pacification

Calabar as a Seaport: The 400-Year History of One of West Africa’s Most Significant International Trade Hubs.

“The ‘Comey’ System: Understanding the customs duties paid by European ships to Efik chiefs.”

Paul Robeson: Voice, Resistance, and Global Legacy