Olaudah Equiano: Celebrated Abolitionist and Author Honored by Google Doodle on His 272nd Birth Anniversary

Olaudah Equiano was featured on Google's Doodle on October 16, 2017, to commemorate his contributions as a significant figure in the abolitionist movement and to mark the 272nd anniversary of his birth. It's almost 7 years the Igbo abolitionist, Equiano was celebrated for his powerful autobiography, “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano”, which…

ByChukaSeptember 21, 20240Comments

Ikwerri Ibo, Rumuji village. Owu masquerade. Mask called ‘Ajibodo’ 1931

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage

Ajibodo and the Owu Masquerade: Cultural Significance and Social Order in Riverine Igbo Communities

Ikwerri Ibo, Rumuji village. Owu masquerade. Mask called ‘Ajibodo’ 1931 Source: Ibo and Ibibio speaking people of Southeastern Nigeria. Darryl Forde and G.I. Jones. 1957. "Owu Masquerade at Play" The Owu masquerade, a highly revered cultural entity, originated from Oguta, a prominent town in southeastern Nigeria, known for its rich traditions and strong connection to the riverine…

ByChukaSeptember 21, 20240Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography

Spirituality and Community in Kwale Igbo Culture: Juju Shrines and Charms in a 1910 Village Scene

"A Kwale Ibo village, showing juju shrines and charms" Photo from [Tribes of the Niger Delta - P. Amaury Talbot], 1910. This image depicts a traditional Kwale Igbo village with notable juju shrines and charms. Kwale is located in the western part of the Igboland cultural area (modern-day Delta State, Nigeria), is part of the Ukwuani/Ndokwa…

ByChukaSeptember 21, 20240Comments

Ethnohistory Historical Studies

Enuani: History of Ubulu People and Their Progenitor Ezemu

Ubulu-Uku is the largest and most populous Igbo-speaking town in the Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. It is located about 30 kilometres to the west of the River Niger, and shares its borders with Ogwashi-Uku to the east, Obior to the west, Issele-Uku to the north, and Ubulu-Unor to the south. The town…

ByIde NzeSeptember 14, 20240Comments

A group of Igbo warriors in ancient battle dress at a warrior's funeral. Photo: M. D. W. Jeffreys, 1956.

Historical Studies

Aya-Adesuwa: The Ubulu-Uku/Bini War

A group of Igbo warriors in ancient battle dress at a warrior's funeral. Photo: M. D. W. Jeffreys, 1956. The war between the Bini Empire and the Ubulu-Uku or Ubulu-Ukwu was one of these great ancient wars that were fought between the Western Igbo people and the Bini Empire due to proximity and the Bini Empire's…

ByIde NzeSeptember 11, 20240Comments

Ethnohistory

Ngwa-Ngwa: The Origin of the Ngwa People

Igbo Map by Ukpuru and Aba City photographed by OU and Tours The Ngwa People Ngwa is an Igbo subgroup from Abia State, Southeastern Nigeria. The origin of Ngwa people dates back to the 14th century when they migrated from the Igbo heartland, from a village called Umunoha in the present Owerri zone of Imo State…

ByChikwereSeptember 5, 20240Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography

Isuama: The Region of the Isu People

Isuama Map by Ukpuru and Isuama-Ibo, Isu tribe, ‘Okorosie’ masquerade. Masks called 'Nwanyioma’ and 'Akatakpuru’ 1931 Who are the Isu People and Where do they inhabit? The Isu people, often referred to as Isuama (translating to, "Isu Region or Land”), are an inland people that inhabit the central region of Igboland, which is situated between Southern…

ByChikwereSeptember 5, 20240Comments

Historical Studies

Awka to London: David Nwume & John Uzoka The Awka Blacksmiths

Awka Blacksmiths David Nwume & John Uzoka, London, 1924-1925 The Awka Blacksmiths David Nwume and John Uzoka, two blacksmiths from Awka, went to the British Empire Exhibition in 1924–25, which was held in Wembley Park in London, England. There work was so fascinating that they won prizes in the metalwork category for building "The Awka Gate,"…

ByChikwereSeptember 4, 20240Comments

Historical Studies

Trade by Barter: Trading in Pre-Colonial Igboland

Onitsha, 1889, Photographer possibly by G. F. Packer credited with other photos from the Niger and Önïcha (Onitsha) Trade-by-Barter "Trade-by-Barter" was a common practice in all the markets in Ala Igbo before the introduction of the cash economy. People exchanged goods like farm produce, livestock, crafts, and services without using money. Goods were exchanged based on…

ByChikwereSeptember 4, 20240Comments

Cultural Heritage

Mgba: Traditional Igbo Wrestling

Wrestling at Elele described by P. A. Talbot as wrestling to make the yams grow. Chief Eleche's place, Elele in Some Nigerian Fertility Cults, 1927 The Igbo Wrestling Sport Mgba, Igbo traditional wrestling has been an exceedingly popular sport amongst the Igbo people. Young, physically fit Igbo men engage in this practice, which acknowledges strength and…

ByChikwereSeptember 4, 20240Comments

Tag: Igbo

Olaudah Equiano: Celebrated Abolitionist and Author Honored by Google Doodle on His 272nd Birth Anniversary

Ajibodo and the Owu Masquerade: Cultural Significance and Social Order in Riverine Igbo Communities

Spirituality and Community in Kwale Igbo Culture: Juju Shrines and Charms in a 1910 Village Scene

Enuani: History of Ubulu People and Their Progenitor Ezemu

Aya-Adesuwa: The Ubulu-Uku/Bini War

Ngwa-Ngwa: The Origin of the Ngwa People

Isuama: The Region of the Isu People

Awka to London: David Nwume & John Uzoka The Awka Blacksmiths

Trade by Barter: Trading in Pre-Colonial Igboland

Mgba: Traditional Igbo Wrestling

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