Ipia Nmanwu Day at Ndoni Cultural Day Celebration: A Vibrant Showcase of Tradition

Ipia Nmanwu Day at Ndoni Cultural Day Celebration! Ogbasu, Ndoni, Rivers State. Nestled in the heart of Rivers State, Nigeria, the Ndoni community recently came alive with the vibrant celebration of Ipia Nmanwu Day during the annual Ndoni Cultural Day. This event, held in Ogbasu, Ndoni, is a colourful testament to the rich cultural…

ByIdenze EzemeMay 22, 20250Comments

Ethnohistory Historical Studies

Azuta Mbata Emerges as First Ikwerre President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide

Chief Sen. Azuta Mbata Former Senator John Azuta-Mbata, 65, has been elected the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, marking a historic milestone as the first Ikwerre man to lead the prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization. Sen. Azuta Mbata, who represented Rivers East Senatorial District from 1999 to 2007, was chosen as the 13th President-General during an…

ByChuka OdikeJanuary 11, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Ethnohistory Photos

Ndoni: Exploring the Heritage of Ndi Oshimili

A titled Igbo woman, Ndoni, present day Rivers State, Nigeria.Lower Niger French Catholic mission postcard, turn of the 20th century. The history and culture of the Igbo people in Nigeria are steeped in rich traditions, one of which includes the remarkable heritage of Ndoni, located in present-day Rivers State. Among these traditions, the title “Une Grande…

ByChuka OdikeJanuary 5, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage

The Vibrant Culture of Igbide Kingdom and the Abame Festival

The vibrant Abọ-ame (Abame) Festival of the Igbide Kingdom celebrates a unique rite of passage for all sons and daughters of the Isoko South community. Photo: @TheIsokos (X) Igbide is one of the nine administrative clans in Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. A significant natural feature of this region is the Urie-Igbide (Igbide…

ByIdenze EzemeJanuary 4, 20250Comments

Cultural Heritage Photos

Asaba masquerade dancing in Ikwerre Igbo area, present-day Rivers state. Photograph by G. I. Jones, in the 1930s.

ByChuka OdikeJanuary 2, 20250Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage Photos

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…

ByChuka OdikeDecember 19, 20240Comments

Indigenous Architecture

Mbari Houses: A Living Tradition of Igbo Architecture, Spiritual and Artistic Expression

Urata-Igbo Mbari house dedicated to Amadioha, photographed by William Fagg in Owerri. British Museum. Introduction Mbari houses are unique cultural and spiritual edifices found in Igbo land, particularly in the Owerri region and some substantial number of towns in Imo states and Rivers States, Nigeria. These ceremonial structures serve as artistic expressions of gratitude to Ala,…

ByChuka OdikeDecember 2, 20240Comments

Anthropology and Ethnography Cultural Heritage

Wrestling for Abundance: The Yam Harvest Ritual in Igbo Culture

"Wrestling to make the yams grow. Chief Elechi's place, Elele." This refers to a traditional ritual practiced in Elele, Some Ikwerre groups and the Igbo people at large to ensure a bountiful yam harvest. Elele, a town in Rivers State, Nigeria, known for it's rich agricultural land. Talbot captured the event holding in Chief Elechi place, A…

ByChuka OdikeOctober 14, 20240Comments