Ofo ńa Ogu: Spiritual Foundation of Igbo Religious Belief.

Every group in Igbo society has its own Ofo. The Family Ofo is different from the village Ofo, and the village Ofo also differs from the Ofo of many villages joined together. It is the Okpara (first son) who holds the family Ofo. That is why he leads the religious and political matters in the…

ByChukwunwike OssaiMay 23, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Oke-Aku Festival: A Celebration of Harvest, Unity, and Renewal in Ezza Ezekuna Culture

Oke-Aku Festival is the New Yam Festival that Ezza Ezekuna people do, and it is one big celebration in their culture that brings everybody together to thank God for a better harvest, unity and their community, and a better life that is yet to come. They do it every year as they start their traditional…

ByChukwunwike OssaiMay 4, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Ekwesu Festival of Onicha Ukwuani: Strength, Spirit, and the Soul of Ukwuani Clan

The Ekwesu Festival is one of the colorful and important cultural events that showcase the rich traditions of the people in Ukwuani, Onicha Ukwuani, located in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. It is a festival that takes place every year, and it is deeply rooted in the culture of the Ukwuani clan.…

ByChukwunwike OssaiApril 30, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

The Global Face of Igbo Art: Uli, Masks, and Modern Masterpieces

The Igbo people are one of Nigeria's largest ethnic groups. Their knowledge of culture and creativity is so overwhelming. For centuries, art forms like Uli body painting, masks, and Mbari houses have influenced modern literature and global art. The Igbo people had already displayed their creativity. Traditional Igbo Art is the Root of Creativity Igbo lady decorating…

ByChukwunwike OssaiApril 24, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Harmony in Four Days: The Spiritual Elements and Cultural Rhythms of the Igbo Market Week

The Igbo people, who live in southern Nigeria, have a strong culture and spiritual beliefs that they use to understand life and the universe. The biggest part of this belief is the four-day market week, known as Nkwo, Eke, Orie, and Afor. These days are not just mere market days for buying and selling; they…

ByChukwunwike OssaiApril 19, 20250Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory ⁠Religion and Spirituality

The Spiritual Hierarchy of Odinani: Chukwu to Alusi

The Ngene figure, known as Alusi Ngene, is a carved wooden representation that embodies both male & female physical attributes. It features scarification marks & carved bangles on the ankles & wrists. Collected by Northcote Thomas in Awgbu, present-day Anambra, Nigeria, in 1911 For the Igbo people who follow Odinani, the world has levels. Chukwu, the…

ByChukwunwike OssaiMarch 5, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Historical Studies Photos

Cultural Artifacts of Igbo Society: Ikenga and Ofo

The Igbo culture of Nigeria is rich in symbolism and traditional artifacts that reflect its worldview, spiritual practices, and societal structure. Among these artifacts, the Ikenga and Ofo stand out as powerful representations of personal achievement, moral authority, and spiritual connection. This article explores these artifacts using historical photographs and the cultural context in which…

ByChuka OdikeJanuary 1, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Ikenga and the Igbo Influence on Benin Arts and Language

Ikenga / Tumblr Ikenga (Igbo: strength of movement ) is a revered horned deity among the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. As one of the most powerful cultural symbols, Ikenga is widely recognized and often displayed in personal shrines. Traditionally, it is owned by men and, occasionally, by women of high social standing. Ikenga…

ByIdenze EzemeDecember 2, 20240Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage

An Igbo Family Shrine: Ikenga, Ofo, and Ancestor Reverence in Onicha Olona

WORSHIP OF ANCESTORS NZE, OFO AND IKENGA (ONIČA OLONA). The family shrine is a cornerstone of Igbo spirituality, reflecting the community’s connection to their ancestors, deities, and symbols of authority. In the early 1910s, Northcote Thomas, an anthropologist, photographed a family shrine in Onicha Olona, located in present-day Delta State. The shrine prominently featured key elements…

ByChuka OdikeNovember 26, 20240Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography ⁠Religion and Spirituality

Craftsmanship and Spirituality: The Role of Ikenga in Igbo Blacksmithing Traditions

Ikenga in House of Chief Okku of Idu — Two Small Ikenga used as blacksmith mascots. In Tribes of the Niger Delta by P.A. Talbot, the Ikenga figures mentioned in the house of Chief Okku of Idu, particularly the two small Ikenga used as blacksmith mascots, provide an interesting insight into (Okoba/Alensaw) Ogba-Igbo spiritual and cultural…

ByChuka OdikeOctober 21, 20240Comments