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…
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,…
Northcote Thomas (1914). Anthropological Report on the Ibo-Speaking Peoples of Nigeria, Vol. IV: Law and Custom of the Ibo of the Asaba District, S. Nigeria, pp. 5
In his 1914 Anthropological Report on the Ibo-Speaking Peoples of Nigeria , British colonial anthropologist Northcote Thomas observed a fascinating dynamic in the Asaba District: Igbo women played a pivotal…
Rich women of Onitsha South East Nigeria, wearing Ivory Anklets
The Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria are known for their rich culture, which values family, community, and traditions. Women play a big role in Igbo society as wives ("Nwunye Di"), mothers, and keepers of matrilineal ties. "Nwunye Di" means "wife of the husband" or sometimes "co-wife"…
A name that dances off the tongue, carrying the grace of an eagle and the pride of a queen, a name that turns heads and warms hearts. This is Achalugo, a cherished Igbo pet name or title bestowed upon women in southeastern Nigeria and beyond, symbolizing beauty, regal elegance, and extraordinary spirit. Rooted in the…
Ndị Ngwa, around Aba, photographed by Northcote Thomas, c. 1913. MAA Cambridge.
In Igbo society, agriculture has always been more than a means of sustenance; it is a symbol of status, leadership, and communal influence. While yam cultivation is traditionally the domain of men, with titles such as Eze Ji (King of Yams) recognizing successful farmers,…
The hairstyle for a new Igbo 口 mother, according to P. A. Talbot, 1926. Musée du quai Branly.
In Igbo society, kinship is traditionally structured around both patrilineal and matrilineal systems, with distinct roles for men and women. Due to exogamy, the custom of marrying outside one’s lineage women transition between lineages, which has led to…
Two ivory anklets, sawn from a trunk & slightly hollowed, worn by wealthy Igbo women between 1880–1910. These anklets symbolised dignity & status. To prevent friction or bruising, the inner surfaces were smoothed with beeswax, or the ankles were wrapped in cloth for comfort.
Palm tree and Palm fruits
The oil palm tree, common in the green landscapes of the Igbo region in Nigeria, has been an important part of the economy for hundreds of years. Long before the arrival of Europeans, the ingenious Igbo people used the oil palm tree in many ways. Therefore, it was part of…