Archival black-and-white photograph showing extended Igbo family compound.

Ụmụnna: The Heart of Igbo Kinship and Community

Photo: A Meeting in an Igbo Notable’s Compound, 1890s. British Museum. Nwanne di na mba, ọ bụghị onye ọzọ.(A kinsman is not a stranger). Blood ties and shared lineage define belonging more than distance or status. Among the Igbo, Ụmụnna represents one of the most sacred and enduring social institutions, a bond that transcends individuals and unites…

ByChinemerem OkwuchukwuOctober 16, 20250Comments

Nri Ọbalike and his attendants, and some Chiefs, during the abrogation of nso and alu, 1911. Photo: Northcote Thomas

Historical Studies

Life, Culture, and Institutions in Pre-Slavery Igboland: “Igbo Ndụ Bu Iche”

“Nwaanyị sị na ọ gaghị ewere di ya kụọ ụka, ihe ọ hụrụ n’ụlọ nne ya gaghị ezu ya.” ( When a woman says she will not discuss with her husband, what she saw in her mother’s home will not be enough for her. ) This proverb emphasises the importance of dialogue and community,…

ByChinemerem OkwuchukwuOctober 14, 20250Comments

Photo of an Igbo ancestral shrine showing ritual figures and offerings.

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Historical Studies ⁠Religion and Spirituality

Ibini Ukpabi: The Voice of the Gods and the Fall of a Kingdom

In the thick green heart of Arochukwu, where mist curls around ancient stones and the whispers of ancestors stir in the wind, stood the shrine of Ibini Ukpabi, the Long Juju of legend. Long before the British learned its name, the oracle’s voice carried across Igboland, settling disputes and sealing destinies. It was not merely…

ByChinemerem OkwuchukwuOctober 12, 20250Comments

"Nissan Rebellion in Barbados – TalkAfricana"

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Historical Studies ⁠Religion and Spirituality

From Chains to Crosses (How the Aro Wars Redefined Igbo Identity and Faith)

"Nissan Rebellion in Barbados:: TalkAfricana" The dust of war had barely settled when strange hymns began to rise from the hills of Arochukwu. The same valleys that once echoed with war cries now trembled with songs of salvation. The Ibini Ukpabi Oracle was silent, its cave sealed, yet another kind of power was spreading not through…

ByChinemerem OkwuchukwuOctober 12, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Folklores Historical Studies

Attempts to Abolish the Igbo Caste System: A Historical Overview

The elders remind us: “Ègbè bere ùgò bere, nke sị ibe ya ebèná, nkụ kwàá ya” —let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too; if one denies the other, may its wings break. Equality has always been spoken of in Igbo land, yet history shows that it has often been difficult to…

ByChinemerem OkwuchukwuOctober 7, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Ogwugwu: The Great Igbo Spiritual Mother

Uli painting on the walls of the Ogwugwu shrine, Nibo, present-day Anambra State, Nigeria. Photographed by one of Northcote Thomas’s assistants in 1911. Photo: Re-Entanglements. Ogwugwu is a special ancestral spirit in Igbo culture, deeply loved as a powerful mother figure. She connects the living with the spiritual world, especially through rivers and land. This article…

ByIdenze EzemeJuly 28, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Agwu: The Heart of Igbo Spirituality

Agwu, the revered Igbo deity of wisdom, healing, and divination. Photo: Igbo History In Igbo culture, Agwu is a powerful spiritual force that shapes the lives and destinies of the Igbo people. It is the spirit of wisdom, creativity, and purpose, guiding individuals to fulfil their roles in life. Agwu is deeply rooted in Igbo…

ByIdenze EzemeJuly 17, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

The Vital Role of Ụmụ Ada and Ụmụ Ọkpụ in Igbo Society

Ụmụ Ada Group. Photo: Dibia Nwangwu Uchendu In Igbo culture, women hold a special place, and one of the most powerful groups is the Ụmụ Ada, also known as Ụmụ Ọkpụ in some communities. These are women born into a particular Igbo family, village, or clan, who come together to uphold peace, justice,…

ByIdenze EzemeJuly 14, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Ngene: The Guardian Spirit of Igbo Families

Ngene spirit figure, collected by Northcote Thomas in Awgbu (now in Anambra State, Nigeria) in 1911. Photo: Re-entanglements In Igbo culture, spirituality is deeply woven into daily life, and one of the most revered spiritual entities is Ngene, a powerful ancestral spirit known for its protective role in families and communities. …

ByIdenze EzemeJuly 12, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Nzu in Igbo Culture: A Symbol of Purity, Peace, and Spirituality

image: anitaquansahlondon.com Among the many elements of Igbo culture, Nzu (white chalk) holds a special place as a powerful symbol with deep spiritual and social significance. Despite challenges from colonial influences and modernisation, the Igbo are reviving their traditions, with Nzu playing a central role in preserving their identity. This article explores…

ByIdenze EzemeJune 24, 20250Comments