Arochukwu Oracle: The Spiritual Empire That Controlled Trade, Justice, and War in Precolonial Igboland

The Arochukwu Oracle, also known as Ibini Ukpabi or the "Long Juju" Photo: Pulse The Arochukwu Oracle, also known as Ibini Ukpabi or the "Long Juju," was the heart of the Aro Confederacy, a powerful group led by the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria from the 1600s to the early 1900s. Based in Arochukwu, now in…

ByIdenze EzemeApril 21, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Historical Studies

Haiti and Igboland: A Shared History

Ibo Granmoun. © IgboLité The history of Haiti and the Igbo people is deeply connected through culture, resistance, and spirituality. The song ‘ Ibo Granmoun ’ represents the Igbo tradition of having no kings or queens, meaning they take orders from no one. In Haitian Creole, Ibo Granmoun translates to …

ByIdenze EzemeMarch 18, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

A Young Bride and the Marriage Tradition of Awka (Ọka)

A Young Bride and the Marriage Tradition of Awka (Ọka) This photograph, taken by Swedish ethnographer Gustaf Bolinder during his travels in Igboland between 1930 and 1931, captures a recently married young woman standing in front of a dilapidated building in Awka, northern Igboland. Next to her is a carved figure, which Bolinder describes in Swedish…

ByOzi IkoroFebruary 3, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Women’s Title-Taking: The Iyom (Otu Odu) Title in Igbo Culture

An Onicha woman of the Otu Odu society The Iyom title, also called Otu Odu, is a highly respected honour given to women in Igbo society, especially in southeastern Nigeria. Similar to the male Ozo title, this title reflects a woman's high social status, integrity, and contributions to her community. This…

ByIdenze EzemeJanuary 21, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Understanding the Ogbuefi / Ogbueshi /Ogbueshu / Ogbuevi and Ogbuehi Title in Igbo Culture

The traditional ruler of Obosi in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Royal Highness, Igwe Chidubem Iweka. Photo: Gazettengr The Ogbuefi title, also known as Ogbueshi, Ogbueshu, Ogbuevi, and Ogbuehi, is among Igbo society's most prestigious cultural titles. It represents a title signifying honour and achievement and the status one…

ByIdenze EzemeJanuary 20, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Adamma Masquerade: A Symbol of Beauty, Grace, and Entertainment in Igbo Culture

Adamma Masquerade. Photo: Ugwumba TV Masquerades play a vital role in Igbo culture; each community has its own type, serving different purposes. People in Igboland respect masquerades because they help enforce traditional laws, maintain peace, and solve problems in communities. Among the numerous masquerades found among the Igbos, one stands out for its…

ByIdenze EzemeJanuary 18, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Comprehensive Catalogue of 9th-Century Artifacts from Igbo-Ukwu

Map showing Igbo-Ukwu and the Igbo-lands. Photo: African History Extra In the 9th century, artists in a kingdom on the edge of the West African rainforest created some of the most advanced works of art ever seen. Working in bronze, copper, and terracotta, they produced stunning pieces that would eventually be buried with their priest-king in…

ByIdenze EzemeJanuary 17, 20251Comment

Cultural Heritage

Understanding the Phrase “Igbo enwe Eze” and Igbo Leadership Systems

The Igwe, also known as the Obi of Onitsha and the Chiefs at the Ofala Festival, Anambra State, Nigeria. Photo: Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation The saying " Igbo enwe Eze," meaning "The Igbo have no king," is often misinterpreted. It is a statement that shows the way of governance in Igbo society without a central leader,…

ByIdenze EzemeJanuary 15, 20251Comment

Ethnohistory ⁠Religion and Spirituality

The Osu/Diala Divide: Understanding the Caste Conflict in Igboland

Introduction The Osu caste system in Igboland has been a deeply entrenched traditional belief that divides communities and fosters discrimination, segregation, and violence. It categorizes individuals into two broad groups: the Osu, considered outcasts or slaves dedicated to deities, and the Diala, the freeborn who are regarded as superior members of society. This classification has…

ByChuka OdikeJanuary 12, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Traditional Funeral Rites: How Igbos Bury Their Dead

Abiriba Dancers in Performance at a Funeral. Photo: Ikenna Onwuegbuna The Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria hold their cultural traditions in high esteem, particularly those related to Death and the Afterlife. The three major events in the life of an Igbo are birth, marriage, and death. Marriage is arranged, whereas birth…

ByIdenze EzemeDecember 30, 20240Comments