Professor Ernest Nneji Emenyonu: The Voice That Traced Igbo Literature Back to 1857

Professor Ernest N. Emenyonu at a library. Source: Igbostudies.org. “Okwu bụ ndụ.” (Words are life). The old proverb could well summarise Emenyonu’s life's work. To him, literature was not simply art; it was history, language, and identity woven together like the intricate threads of akwete cloth. From Umuahia to the World Born…

ByChinemerem Okwuchukwu1 day ago0Comments

Cultural Heritage

Ọjị Ndigbo: The Symbolism of the Kola Nut in Igbo Weddings

In every traditional Igbo gathering, from weddings to festivals, one symbol stands above all: ọjị (the kola nut). It is more than a fruit; it is the heart of Igbo hospitality , a token of peace, unity, and ancestral blessing. No ceremony, especially a marriage, begins without it. As the elders say: “Onye wetara…

ByChinemerem Okwuchukwu4 days ago0Comments

Igbo bride kneeling and offering palm wine to groom.

Cultural Heritage

Igba Nkwu: Understanding Igbo Traditional Marriage Rites

In Igboland, marriage is more than just two hearts joining; it’s the uniting of two families, two lineages, and two worlds. The ceremony known as ịgba nkwu nwanyi (the bride’s wine-carrying) remains one of the most cherished cultural expressions of love, respect, and community among the Igbo people. Bride and Groom in Traditional Igbo Wedding…

ByChinemerem OkwuchukwuOctober 26, 20250Comments

Historical Studies Photos ⁠Religion and Spirituality

The Return of Nwangborie Iwundu: The Woman Who Brought Christianity to Nsu

Portraits of Nwada Nwangborie Iwundu of Ezeoke Nsu and Nze Ukwu Nnadum Nwelue, circa 1821. Credit: Onyeka Nwelue Nwanyi bụ íhè ụlọ( When a woman shines, the whole household is bright). Before the Missionaries Came Before the late 19th century, Nsu, a cluster of autonomous Igbo villages in present-day Ehime Mbano, Imo State, lived within the…

ByChinemerem OkwuchukwuOctober 19, 20250Comments

Igwe Enwezor prepares to distribute Nzu at Ije Udo, November 1961

Cultural Heritage

Ije Udo Onicha Mmili: The Sacred Journey of Peace and Kingship

Igwe Enwezor prepares to distribute Nzu at Ije Udo, November 1961. Photo - A Mighty Tree The Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria have a rich tradition of rituals that blend spirituality, culture, and governance. Among these, the Ije Udo ceremony in Onitsha (Onicha Mmili) stands out as a deeply symbolic rite. Known as the…

ByIdenze EzemeMay 24, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Igbo Water Divinities: Guardians of Rivers and Lakes

Map of major rivers linked to divinities within Igboland. Photo - Ukpuru In Igbo culture, rivers and lakes are more than just water—they’re alive with powerful spirits. These water divinities, often called river gods and goddesses, are sacred to the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. They represent fertility, wealth, beauty, and power, and their presence shapes…

ByIdenze EzemeMay 15, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Akalogoli Charms: Warding Off Evil Spirits

A man buries an Akalogoli charm made from burning palm flowers to repel evil spirits, a powerful Igbo ritual captured in the early 1910s. Photo - UkpuruIn Igbo culture, spirituality weaves through daily life, connecting the living with ancestors and the unseen world. One fascinating practice is the use of akalogoli charms,…

ByIdenze EzemeMay 12, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory ⁠Religion and Spirituality

The Odo Festival of Ngwo: A Celebration of Ancestral Spirits and Igbo Heritage

Odo Ngwo Festival - Ou Travel and Tour. Imagine a hilly town perched atop the rolling landscapes of Enugu State, Nigeria, where the air hums with the rhythm of drums, the rustle of palm fronds, and the vibrant chants of a community united in reverence. This is Ngwo, a historic Igbo town, and every two years,…

ByChuka OdikeMarch 16, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Ojeh & Arishi Festival of Aboh Kingdom: A Celebration of Igbo Culture

Ojeh & Arishi Festival of Aboh Kingdom. Photo: Ogbahu TV The Ojeh & Arishi Festival in Aboh Kingdom is more than a festival. It is a time when the people of Aboh come together to honour their ancestors, celebrate their traditions, and strengthen their community. The festival happens every year in one quarter out of the…

ByIdenze EzemeFebruary 28, 20250Comments

Folklores

The Ear and the Mosquito

The Ear and the Mosquito: Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears A long time ago, in a peaceful village, Mosquito was known as a restless and boastful insect. He loved to talk about himself, telling anyone who would listen how important and strong he was. He would fly from place to place, making noise, never staying…

ByIdenze EzemeFebruary 25, 20250Comments