History Archives ~ Ozi Ikòrò

18

Jan 2026

Linguistic Synthesis: How the Itsekiri Language Evolved from a Blend of Yoruba, Edo (Bini), and Igala

"Linguistic Groups". It is also widely referred to as the "Linguistic map of Nigeria" or "Ethno-linguistic map of Nigeria". Photo credit; The map is a work of the U.S. Central…

03

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Folklores

The Owu Masquerades: Inviting the Water Spirits to Dance

Photo credit: Ukpuru The Owu masquerades occupy a significant place in the cultural and spiritual identity of the Kalabari people of the Eastern Niger Delta. As a water-spirit masquerade tradition, Owu…

03

Dec 2025

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Historical Studies

The Power of the Female Gaze: Women’s Role in Kalabari Masquerade Performance

Photo credit: alamy. Masquerade traditions across the Niger Delta are often portrayed as exclusively male-controlled institutions, with strict rules prohibiting women from participating as performers. However, among the Kalabari people of…

16

Feb 2025

Historical Studies

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…

09

Feb 2025

Ethnohistory Historical Studies Photos

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…

02

Feb 2025

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…

02

Feb 2025

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…

02

Feb 2025

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,…

01

Feb 2025

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,…

01

Feb 2025

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…