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Tag: Omenala

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Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Historical Studies

A “Stateless” Society: The Republican Nature of Pre-Colonial Igbo Governance

Igbo family in traditional attire. When people talk about pre-colonial African societies, they often imagine kings, chiefs, and empires. But the Igbo of southeastern Nigeria were different. They didn’t have kings or centralized rulers like their neighbors. Instead, they had what many scholars describe as a “stateless” or republican system, where power was shared among the…
14 hours ago0Comments

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Ala, also known as Ani, is the Earth Mother in Igbo spirituality, representing fertility, morality, and the earth.
Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory

Odinani: The Spiritual and Cultural Backbone of the Igbo People

Odinani is the traditional spiritual belief system of the Igbo people from southeastern Nigeria. It’s all about connecting with nature, living a balanced life, and honoring our ancestors. Even though modern religions like Christianity are more common now, Odinani still quietly shapes how Igbo people live, celebrate, and see the world. It’s like an invisible…
April 24, 20250Comments

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Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory ⁠Religion and Spirituality

The Spiritual Hierarchy of Odinani: Chukwu to Alusi

The Ngene figure, known as Alusi Ngene, is a carved wooden representation that embodies both male & female physical attributes. It features scarification marks & carved bangles on the ankles & wrists. Collected by Northcote Thomas in Awgbu, present-day Anambra, Nigeria, in 1911     For the Igbo people who follow Odinani, the world has levels. Chukwu, the…
March 5, 20250Comments

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Onitsha, 1889, Photographer possibly by G. F. Packer credited with other photos from the Niger and Önïcha (Onitsha)
Historical Studies

Trade by Barter: Trading in Pre-Colonial Igboland

Onitsha, 1889, Photographer possibly by G. F. Packer credited with other photos from the Niger and Önïcha (Onitsha) Trade-by-Barter "Trade-by-Barter" was a common practice in all the markets in Ala Igbo before the introduction of the cash economy.  People exchanged goods like farm produce, livestock, crafts, and services without using money. Goods were exchanged based on…
September 4, 20241Comment

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Igbo Men Mgburuichi from Nri. Photographed by Northcote Thomas, c. 1910-1911. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge
Historical Studies

The Ichi Tradition: A Symbol of Identity and Nobility Among the Igbo

Igbo Men with Mgburuichi from Nri. Photographed by Northcote Thomas, c. 1910-1911. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge Before the incursion of Christian missionary activity into Igbo society, this ichi marking was an important protective mechanism for its bearers against the convoluted social fabrics in Igbo society. Those with distinctive facial scars were partly immune from…
September 4, 20240Comments

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