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

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

Michael Okpara: A Legacy of Leadership and His Remembrance Day

Introduction Michael Iheonukara Okpara (1920–1984) was a visionary Nigerian statesman, medical doctor and nationalist leader who significantly influenced Nigeria’s political and economic landscape, particularly as the Premier of Eastern Nigeria (1959–1966). Known for his focus on agricultural development, industrialization and education, Okpara’s leadership continues to serve as a model for self-reliance and economic transformation in…

ByChuka OdikeDecember 17, 20240Comments