The Arochukwu Oracle, also known as Ibini Ukpabi or the "Long Juju" Photo: Pulse
The Arochukwu Oracle, also known as Ibini Ukpabi or the "Long Juju," was the heart of the Aro Confederacy, a powerful group led by the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria from the 1600s to the early 1900s. Based in Arochukwu, now in…
Aro men dancing at Ikeji Aro Festival, 2024. Photo credits, Arochukwu Mouthpiece.
A renowned town in Abia State, Nigeria and Igboland in general, suddenly bursting into life with the sound of drums, the swirl of masquerades, and the scent of roasted yams wafting through the air. This is Arochukwu, the ancient heart of the Aro people,…
The Igwe, also known as the Obi of Onitsha and the Chiefs at the Ofala Festival, Anambra State, Nigeria. Photo: Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation
The saying " Igbo enwe Eze," meaning "The Igbo have no king," is often misinterpreted. It is a statement that shows the way of governance in Igbo society without a central leader,…
A woman from Arochukwu with an ornate hairstyle. Photographed by Northcote Thomas, 1912-13.
Arochukwu, a prominent cultural and historical city in Southeastern Nigeria, has long been known for its unique traditions and societal structures. Central to this heritage is the title “Mazi,” a term of deference typically reserved for male elders within the Aro communities, including…