Ekpe Archives ~ Ozi Ikòrò

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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…

23

May 2025

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Gender Flexibility and Authority in Igbo Culture

The Igbo people have a good political system, which they call a dual-sex system. In this system, men and women share power, but it does not mean one person is…

03

May 2025

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Aba: The Commercial Heart of Igboland – A Journey Through History, Culture, and Resilience

Photo by OU travel & Tour Aba, which is called the "Japan of Africa" because of its hustling spirit and the many things they have manufactured there, is a renowned city…

30

Apr 2025

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Ohafia: The Warrior Spirit and Cultural Legacy of Southeastern Igbo

Ohafia is a proud community in Abia State, Nigeria, that people in Igboland are familiar with due to its warrior history, strong traditions, and cultural contributions. The place is located…

28

Apr 2025

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Historical Studies

The Abiriba People of Abia State: History, Culture, and Their Impact on Nigerian Society

The Abiriba people are a special and vibrant group that resides in Abia State of southeastern Nigeria. They know their culture very well. They are very sharp in business. And…

08

Apr 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage

The Igbo people and Palm Oil in Precolonial Times: An Expansive Exploration of Economy, Culture, and Power

In precolonial times, the Igbo people held palm oil (mmanụ nkwụ) in high esteem. Palm oil was more than just a consumable agricultural product It was an important commodity that uplifted societies,…

20

Jan 2025

Historical Studies

Dike Nwaàmị̀: The Warrior Women of Ohafia and Their Legacy of Courage

Ohafia women with long braids, a popular style in Ohafia then. The photo was taken by Rev. William T. Weir and published in The Women's Missionary Magazine of the United…

08

Jan 2025

Cultural Heritage Historical Studies Photos

Ekpe Society: Guardians of Trade, Knowledge, and Nsibidi in Pre-Colonial Southern Nigeria

The Ekpe society, also known as Okonko, is a secretive cultural institution originating among the Ejagham people of southeastern Nigeria. Through its unique blend of ritual, governance, and symbolism, the…

29

Dec 2024

Cultural Heritage Historical Studies

The Ngbagba Ikoro Masquerade: Celebrating the Igbo Heritage of Abiriba

Otiri Ngbagba Ikoro Masquerade from Abiriba. Photo: Jones Archive The Ngbagba Ikoro masquerade is a thrilling cultural performance from the Igbo town of Abiriba in Abia State, Nigeria. It…

19

Dec 2024

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Photos

The Okonko Masquerade: A Cultural Pillar of the Southeastern Igbo Communities

Ọ̀kọ̀nkọ̀ masks at Umuowa in the central-Igbo area (Imo) on the cover of African Arts. Photographed by Eli Bentor, March 1988. The Okonko masquerade is a central cultural and social institution…