World of Indigenous Igbo Culture, History & Their Neighbours
The Agbeji Masquerade is a very special masquerade from the Enugu-Ezike community in Enugu State, Nigeria. It is unique because it is one of the few female masquerades in Igbo culture. Most Igbo masquerades are male and represent spirits, ancestors, or warriors. However, Agbeji is different. It is feminine, dances gracefully, and is known for … Read more
Masquerades are a central part of Igbo spirituality, serving as mediums through which ancestral spirits interact with the living. Among these, the Odo masquerade tradition in northern Igboland, specifically in Aku in the Ojebe-Ogene and Nsukka area is a profound ritual that allows deceased elders to return in physical form. While Odo masquerades typically … Read more
Illah (Ila), located in present-day Delta State, Nigeria, is a historically significant settlement with deep cultural and political connections to the Igbo, Igala, and Benin civilizations. The town’s history is characterized by migrations, conflicts, and cultural fusion, making it an essential part of Igbo and West African historical narratives. The image of an elder … Read more
Education in colonial Nigeria was largely controlled by Christian missionaries who used it as a tool for religious conversion and cultural transformation. In Abiriba, a prominent Igbo town in today’s Abia State, mission schools became central to this process. The image of pole vaulting at an Abiriba school (ca. 1930–1940) offers a glimpse into the … Read more
Many believe “Anambra” is a recent invention created during Nigeria’s post-colonial period. However, historical records prove that variations of the name—such as “Anambara” and “Anambala”—were in use long before British rule. These earlier versions reflect the Indigenous Igbo pronunciation. The spelling “Anambra” is simply a colonial adaptation of the traditional name. Early Mention of Anambara … Read more
The northeastern Igbo, primarily inhabiting what is now Ebonyi State, Nigeria, represent a unique subgroup within the broader Igbo ethnic group. They share a deep warrior tradition with other well-known Igbo warrior societies, including the Abam, Ohafia, Bende, and Aro communities of today’s Abia State. Unlike many other Igbo regions, the northeastern Igbo maintained a … Read more
The Ebonyi River, a significant waterway in southeastern Nigeria, has played a crucial role in the history, migration, and expansion of the Igbo people. Before the 1920s, the river was already well documented in British colonial records, including a photo album preserved in The National Archives UK. The river and its surrounding territories became the … Read more
Introduction King Jaja of Opobo was a powerful 19th-century West African ruler whose life and legacy continue to inspire discussions on resistance, leadership, and economic independence. Born into slavery in Umuduruoha, Amaigbo, present-day Imo State in the Igbo hinterland, Jaja was taken to Bonny, where he rose to prominence within the trading houses. He later … Read more
Former Senator John Azuta-Mbata, 65, has been elected the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, marking a historic milestone as the first Ikwerre man to lead the prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization. Sen. Azuta Mbata, who represented Rivers East Senatorial District from 1999 to 2007, was chosen as the 13th President-General during an election held on … Read more
