Photo with no context, likely Igbo men from Onicha (Onitsha), photographed by Henry Crosse in the late 19th century. MAA Cambridge.

The Igbo Concept of Land: Heritage, Kinship, and Spirituality

Igbo woman with ivory anklets returning from farm work, symbolising status and cultural elegance. Photographed by Gustaf Bolinder, 1930–31. Ala bụ ụwa mmadụ( The earth is the world of man.)Human life and community exist only through their relationship with the land. For the Igbo, land is not merely property; it is identity, heritage, and spiritual continuity. From…

ByChinemerem OkwuchukwuOctober 16, 20250Comments

Historical Studies

Traces of Igbo Names from the Slave Ships

The Atlantic slave trade, despite its vast erasure of African identities, left behind fragments like names that offer glimpses into the lives of the people stolen from their homelands. Some of these names preserved in historical records belonged to Igbo individuals who were intercepted by anti-slavery patrols before reaching the Americas. The African Origins…

ByIdenze EzemeJune 20, 20250Comments

Historical Studies

Zik and I: The Biafra Story Part II by Ojukwu

Zik and I: The Biafra Story Part II by Ojukwu. Photo: Newswatch, October 5, 1985, p. 53." In a 1985 interview with Newswatch, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu shares his perspective on the Biafran War, explaining the challenges, politics, and truths behind Biafra’s failed attempt to break away from Nigeria. Ojukwu disputes the idea …

ByIdenze EzemeMay 23, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Historical Studies

The Rich History and Vibrant Culture of Oko Kingdom, Delta State

Oko Kingdom Nestled along the west banks of the majestic River Niger in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria, the Oko Kingdom is a small but culturally significant community with a rich history and vibrant traditions. Founded in the 16th century by migrants of Igala and other ethnic origins, Oko Kingdom is a…

ByChukwunwike OssaiMay 20, 20250Comments

The Arochukwu Oracle, also known as Ibini Ukpabi or the "Long Juju"

Cultural Heritage Historical Studies

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

Discography Historical Studies

Bajan Folk Music About Jaja of Opobo

Jaja of Opobo. Photo: Barbados Museum & Historical Society Jaja of Opobo (1821-1891) was a significant historical figure known as the King of Opobo, a town in present-day Nigeria that played a crucial role in the African palm oil trade. His leadership and resistance against British trading monopolies led to his exile in 1888. He…

ByIdenze EzemeMarch 25, 20250Comments

Historical Studies

Stories of Diaspora Igbo: Jamaica, Sierra Leone, United States

Cane Cutters in Jamaica. Photo: National Maritime Museum The Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria have a long history of resilience, culture, and survival. During the transatlantic slave trade, many Igbo individuals were forcibly taken to different parts of the world, including Jamaica, Sierra Leone, and the United States. Despite the harsh realities of slavery and displacement,…

ByIdenze EzemeMarch 24, 20250Comments

Historical Studies

Positions of British and Aro-Igbo Combatants in the Anglo-Aro War (1901–1902)

Burning of Arochukwu during the Anglo-Aro War after the British captured it. Photo by Donald A. MacAlister. Source: British Museum. The Anglo-Aro War (1901–1902) was a conflict between the British colonial forces and the Aro Confederacy in southeastern Nigeria. The war led to the fall of the Aro Confederacy and the expansion of British rule in…

ByIdenze EzemeMarch 17, 20250Comments

Historical Studies

Seven Amazing Days: An Igbo Leader in British Guiana

Eze A. Ogueri II, from Obibi-Ezena, Owerri Province, Nigeria. Photo: Ukpuru In the summer of 1950, an important cultural visit took place between West Africa and British Guiana. This visit was made possible by Dr. Claude H. Denbow, President of the League of Colored Peoples in Georgetown, and Honorable John Carter, Secretary of the League. With…

ByIdenze EzemeMarch 17, 20250Comments

Historical Studies

The Iva Valley Massacre: The Tragic Story of Enugu’s Coal Miners 70 Years Later

Iva Valley Massacre. Photo by Center for Memories The Iva Valley Massacre, also known as the Enugu Colliery Massacre, was a tragic event that took place on November 18, 1949, in Enugu, Nigeria. During this incident, British colonial police opened fire on unarmed coal miners who were protesting against poor working conditions, killing 21 people and…

ByIdenze EzemeMarch 12, 20251Comment