Iru-Egbede: Grove Custodians and Spiritual Origins of the Ika-Igbo People

A courtesy visit to the Okpala Ukwu of Iru Egbede kingdom and his elders in council. Credit: Ezumezu Royal Tv Iru-Egbede is one of the oldest ancestral settlements within the Ika-Igbo speaking region of southern Nigeria. In present-day Edo State, Iru holds great historical and spiritual significance as a grove-centred settlement that is deeply rooted in…

ByChukwunwike OssaiAugust 2, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

Ezumezu Agwụ and Its Role in Ọdịnana Igbo Spirituality

Ezumezu Oku Agwu Ikenga. Photo: Obi Chukwuebuka In Igbo culture, spirituality is deeply woven into everyday life through Ọdịnana, the traditional spiritual and cultural practices that guide the Igbo people. At the heart of this belief system is Agwụ, a divine spirit responsible for guiding individuals toward their destiny. Ezumezu Agwụ refers to the…

ByIdenze EzemeJuly 18, 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

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Historical Studies

Oji: The Sacred Seed of Trade and Tradition in Igbo Land

For Igbo people, kola nuts are not just an ordinary commodity - they are a serious cultural and spiritual item that drives their economy. It is called Ojo, and it plays a big role in the pre-colonial and early colonial times. Kola nuts are used in rituals, for hospitality, and even serve as a form…

ByChukwunwike OssaiApril 26, 20250Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

The Rise, Decline, and Potential Revival of Awka Blacksmithing: A Centuries-Old Igbo Craft

An Ọka [Awka] blacksmith, nnẹ ụzụ, and his nwa ụzụ, an apprentice blacksmith, photographed by G. T. Basden, early 20th century. Awka in Anambra State, Nigeria, is a big name for blacksmithing, which is the art of turning all types of things into iron; they are truly masters in iron works. Awka blacksmiths have been into…

ByChukwunwike OssaiMarch 31, 20252Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Living Omenani: How Igbo Traditions Shape Daily Life

Omenani is the big word that lgbo people use to talk about their tradition, customs, and way of life that came from their ancestors. It's like a rule book that guides how Igbo people live, marry, give birth, bury dead, farm, trade, and even talk to their gods and spirits. Omenani is not something that they wrote…

ByChukwunwike OssaiMarch 8, 20250Comments