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Tag: Okonko

Ekpe Society: Guardians of Trade, Knowledge, and Nsibidi in Pre-Colonial Southern Nigeria

The Ekpe society, also known as Okonko, is a secretive cultural institution originating among the Ejagham people of southeastern Nigeria. Through its unique blend of ritual, governance, and symbolism, the Ekpe society became a vital force in the social, economic, and political life of the region. Its influence expanded significantly due to the Aro people,…

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The Okonko Masquerade: A Cultural Pillar of the Southeastern Igbo Communities

Ọ̀kọ̀nkọ̀ masks at Umuowa in the central-Igbo area (Imo) on the cover of African Arts. Photographed by Eli Bentor, March 1988. The Okonko masquerade is a central cultural and social institution among the Southeastern Igbo people of Nigeria, particularly in the Umuahia area of Abia State. It is a vital expression of the Ekpe society, a…

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