World of Indigenous Igbo Culture, History & Their Neighbours
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 injuring 51 others. This massacre became a … Read more
Asaba, located on the western bank of the Niger River, played a pivotal role in the early colonial administration of British Nigeria. As the British expanded their control over the territories previously governed by the Royal Niger Company, they reorganized administrative divisions to establish a structured system of governance. The city became a central … Read more
The northeastern Igbo, primarily inhabiting what is now Ebonyi State, Nigeria, represent a unique subgroup within the broader Igbo ethnic group. They share a deep warrior tradition with other well-known Igbo warrior societies, including the Abam, Ohafia, Bende, and Aro communities of today’s Abia State. Unlike many other Igbo regions, the northeastern Igbo maintained a … Read more
Introduction King Jaja of Opobo was a powerful 19th-century West African ruler whose life and legacy continue to inspire discussions on resistance, leadership, and economic independence. Born into slavery in Umuduruoha, Amaigbo, present-day Imo State in the Igbo hinterland, Jaja was taken to Bonny, where he rose to prominence within the trading houses. He later … Read more
These women are likely part of the Ndị Odụ or Otu Odụ society which is a women’s socio-political and economic organisation in Onicha (Onitsha) made up of wealthy members who either bought the rights to the title or whose relatives bought the rights to either wear odu aka, ivory bracelets, or odu ukwụ, ivory anklets, … Read more
Son of Eze Nri of Oraeri Son of the late Eze Nri of Oreri, adorned with a Benin-style bronze pectoral mask. The elder’s facial marks, known as Ịchị, were traditionally given to men and some women in the north-central Igbo region as a symbol of either joining the Nze title system or being born into … Read more
In 1939, an extraordinary discovery was made in Igbo-Ukwu, a town in present-day Anambra State, Nigeria. Isaiah Anozie, while digging a cistern in his compound, unearthed a collection of intricate bronze objects. These artifacts were initially thought to be “good medicine” by the locals, with some neighbours taking a few pieces. The remarkable find later … Read more
The Igbo-Ukwu bronze bowl is a stunning artifact crafted using the lost-wax casting technique, a skillful and advanced metalworking method. The bowl’s design mimics the texture and look of a decorated war iron shield, showcasing the artistry of Igbo metalworkers from ancient Nigeria. With a rim diameter of 26.4 cm, this artifact highlights the sophistication … Read more
The photograph captures Ogbuefi Akude, a respected figure from Ifitedunu in Anambra State, Nigeria, seated with his family. The image, likely taken in the mid-20th century, showcases the stylish and cultural identity of the Igbo people, reflected in their attire and posture. Ogbuefi Akude wears traditional Igbo regalia, signifying his status as an elder and … Read more
Unidentified women photographed by Henry Crosse with the Royal Niger Company, c. 1886–1895. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge. It is plausible to identify the woman on the left as Omu Nwagboka, the last Omu of Onicha (Onitsha). Omu Nwagboka was a prominent and wealthy trader, appointed as Omu in 1884 by Obi Anazonwu, the … Read more