Ogwugwu: The Great Igbo Spiritual Mother

Uli painting on the walls of the Ogwugwu shrine, Nibo, present-day Anambra State, Nigeria. Photographed by one of Northcote Thomas’s assistants in 1911. Photo: Re-Entanglements. Ogwugwu is a special ancestral spirit in Igbo culture, deeply loved as a powerful mother figure. She connects the living with the spiritual world, especially through rivers and land. This article…

ByIdenze EzemeJuly 28, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Nzu in Igbo Culture: A Symbol of Purity, Peace, and Spirituality

image: anitaquansahlondon.com Among the many elements of Igbo culture, Nzu (white chalk) holds a special place as a powerful symbol with deep spiritual and social significance. Despite challenges from colonial influences and modernisation, the Igbo are reviving their traditions, with Nzu playing a central role in preserving their identity. This article explores…

ByIdenze EzemeJune 24, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Ibe-Ugwu as a Rite of Passage: Exploring Female Initiation and Identity in Ukawu Culture

Map showing the Ukawu community. Photo by Agwu-Ulu Nnachi The People of Ukawu Ukawu is a culturally rich and historically rooted community situated in the present-day Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. With an estimated population of 9,377 as of the 2006 census, the people of Ukawu trace their origin to Ezube in the…

ByChukwunwike OssaiMay 27, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

The Obi: A Cultural and Symbolic Heart of the Igbo-Ukwu Household

The Obi, known in various Igbo dialects as an 'Ovu', 'Obu', 'Iba', 'Ogbiti', etc, is more than just an ordinary house. It is a sacred and community space that carries the identity, power, and tradition of the man who is the head of the house. The Obi is shaped like an oblong with a high…

ByChukwunwike OssaiMay 11, 20250Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage

The Igbo people and Palm Oil in Precolonial Times: An Expansive Exploration of Economy, Culture, and Power

In precolonial times, the Igbo people held palm oil (mmanụ nkwụ) in high esteem. Palm oil was more than just a consumable agricultural product It was an important commodity that uplifted societies, boosted creativity, and established social classes. Some of the important roles it played are : 1. Production of Palm Oil: Oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis) were…

ByChukwunwike OssaiApril 8, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Mpkisi Age Grade: The Sustained Relevance of Traditional Governance and Community Development in Anioma Society

The ancestral house in Onicha photo by A mighty tree The Mpkisi Age Grade (which can also be called Otu Mpkisi or Mgbe Mpkisi) is a big deal in the Anioma community in Delta State, Nigeria. It is not like an ordinary age grade found in most African communities. It is a mixture of Community work…

ByChukwunwike OssaiMarch 27, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

The War Dance Festival (ILA OSO) In Uzuakoli

A group of young people from different age grades at the December 2011 ILA OSO Festival . Photo by Gifty-e The ILA OSO festival is a significant cultural event of the Uzuakoli people, located in present-day Abia State, Nigeria. With a history spanning over two centuries, this vibrant festival is deeply rooted in the traditions and…

ByIdenze EzemeMarch 5, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Historical Studies

The Ngbagba Ikoro Masquerade: Celebrating the Igbo Heritage of Abiriba

Otiri Ngbagba Ikoro Masquerade from Abiriba. Photo: Jones Archive The Ngbagba Ikoro masquerade is a thrilling cultural performance from the Igbo town of Abiriba in Abia State, Nigeria. It showcases the region's rich art and culture. The Masquerade, with the prominent character Otiri, gives insight into the social life, skills, and creativity…

ByIdenze EzemeDecember 29, 20240Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Honouring Tradition: Obi Ijeh of Idumuoghu in Igbo Burial Rites

Igbuzo. The deceased clan chief Obi ljeh of Idumuoghu, daubed in chalk to symbolise purity, Bendel, Nigeria, 1978. Photo: Bruno Barbey. The 1978 photograph by Bruno Barbey captures the late Obi Ijeh, the clan chief of Idumuoghu, adorned in chalk, a significant cultural symbol in Igbo society. Taken in Bendel State, Nigeria (now part of Delta…

ByChuka OdikeNovember 21, 20240Comments

Cultural Heritage

Ima Nzu: A Celebration of Purity and Tradition in Igbo Culture

Left: George Agbo and Obi Victor Nwokobia talking about nzu during fieldwork in Okpanam. Right: A close-up of the molded chalk. Photos by Glory Chika-Kanu. Ima Nzu is the heart of Item, a village Situated within the Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Ima Nzu is a cultural heritage that revolves around nzu…

ByIdenze EzemeNovember 7, 20240Comments