The Influence of English on the Igbo Language and Identity

Igbo and English. Dmitri van den Bersselaar (1997) "Creating 'Union Ibo': Missionaries and the Igbo Language" The Igbo language, despite being one of the major languages of Nigeria, has faced significant challenges in establishing a strong literary tradition. Unlike Hausa and Yoruba, which have developed into widely used written and literary languages, Igbo has remained secondary…

ByChuka OdikeFebruary 16, 20250Comments

Onicha Olona and the Ekumeku Resistance: The Legacy of the Enuani People

A young Igbo woman from Onicha Olona, or surrounding settlement, c. 1912-13. Onicha Olona is an Enuani settlement of the western Igbo people, located west of the Niger River in present-day Delta State, Nigeria. The Enuani, like other western Igbo groups, trace their ancestry to migrations from the eastern Igbo centuries ago. Their historical interactions with…

ByChuka OdikeFebruary 9, 20250Comments

Historical Studies

John Brown: The Igbo Legacy in the Life of a Fugitive Slave

John Brown (c. 1810 – 1876) John Brown (c. 1810–1876), born into the brutal system of slavery in Virginia, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring legacy of African heritage. His life story, Slave Life in Georgia: A Narrative of the Life, Sufferings, and Escape of John Brown, A Fugitive…

ByChuka OdikeFebruary 2, 20250Comments

Historical Studies Indigenous Architecture

The Women’s War of 1929: A Defiant Stand Against Colonial Oppression

In November 2019, the 90th anniversary of the Women’s War, known in Igbo as Ògù Ụmùnwaànyị was commemorated. This historic uprising, which took place from 1929 to 1930, remains one of the most significant anti-colonial movements in Nigeria’s history. It was not just a protest against economic injustice but a bold declaration of women’s political…

ByChuka OdikeFebruary 2, 20250Comments

Historical Studies

The Ekumeku Movement: Igbo Resistance Against British Imperialism

A dagger from the Ekumeku movement, which resisted British imperial rule in the western Igbo region for over two decades (1880s–1910s). Taken from Ogwashi-Ukwu, a key centre of Ekumeku activity, in 1910. Now housed in the British Museum. The Ekumeku movement was a major resistance movement by the Igbo people west of the Niger River, particularly…

ByChuka OdikeFebruary 2, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage ⁠Religion and Spirituality

The Igbo Yam Barn: Tradition, Storage, and Celebration

Introduction Yam is an essential crop in Igbo culture, often referred to as the “king crop.” It is not just a source of food but also a symbol of wealth, hard work, and prestige. Ndi Igbo have developed an efficient way of storing yams in structures called “Ọba jị”, or yam barns. These barns contain…

ByChuka OdikeFebruary 1, 20250Comments

Historical Studies

Missionary Perceptions of Africa: A Colonial Narrative

In the early days of European missionary activity in Africa, the continent was often described in highly negative terms. Missionaries, explorers, and traders wrote reports that exaggerated the conditions they encountered, portraying Africa as a land of savagery, darkness, and misery. These descriptions were used to justify their work, arguing that Africa was in desperate…

ByChuka OdikeFebruary 1, 20250Comments

Ethnohistory

Ikot Ishie: An Igbo Diasporic Settlement in Calabar

Photo: "The Calaba and Opobo people at the show, Lagos," 1909 postcard. Introduction Ikot Ishie, a town in Calabar, has a unique history rooted in the Igbo diaspora. It was named after Ishie Offiong Okoho, an Igbo man who was once enslaved but later gained freedom and established his own settlement. Oral traditions tell the story…

ByChuka OdikeFebruary 1, 20250Comments

Ethnohistory ⁠Religion and Spirituality

The Osu/Diala Divide: Understanding the Caste Conflict in Igboland

Introduction The Osu caste system in Igboland has been a deeply entrenched traditional belief that divides communities and fosters discrimination, segregation, and violence. It categorizes individuals into two broad groups: the Osu, considered outcasts or slaves dedicated to deities, and the Diala, the freeborn who are regarded as superior members of society. This classification has…

ByChuka OdikeJanuary 12, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Historical Studies Photos

Cultural Identity of Isuochi: Origins, Practices, Attractions, and Úrì Body Art

A man from Isuochi. Photographed by G. I. Jones, 1930s. Isuochi, located in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria, is a significant community within the Igbo ethnic group. It is made up of several villages and towns. Towns in Isuochi include: Umuelem, Ndiawa, Achara, Ihie, Lomara, Mbala, Amuda, Ngodo and Umuaku. Known for its rich…

ByChuka OdikeDecember 29, 20240Comments