Iwa Iji- New Yam Festival of the Igbo People

Festivity is an important aspect of the cultures and traditions of the Igbo people inhabiting the eastern and southeastern regions of Nigeria. At the end of the rainy season in August, the Igbo people harvest new yams and come together to celebrate the success in the name of a festival known as Iwa Iji which literally means new yam eating. The new yam festival is also know as Onwa Aasa, Orurueshi and so on in the different dialects found across the Igbo settlement.

Atilogwu Dance of the Igbo People

The Igbo people are one of the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria. They inhabit the eastern region of the country and are over 32 million in population. The Igbos (Ndi’ Igbo) are bound together by their history, cultures and traditions which include dressing, beliefs, religion, dance, et cetera. Dancing takes higher percentage of the entertainment and spiritual (religion) aspects of the Igbo culture. The Igbos believe that dancing performs more functions other than entertainment in the society, such as spiritual cleansing of the land, training of teenagers to keep fit, preserving history and so on. Of all the traditional dances in Igbo land, Atilogwu is the most popular, widely performed and one of the oldest.

Ibini Ukpabi- The Long Juju of Arochukwu And A Passage of No Return

During the olden days in Igbo land, Ibini Ukpabi, a deity popularly called the ‘Long Juju‘, was used to settle disputes in the community and punish perpetrators of crimes. The Long Juju shrine served as a supreme court for the people of Arochukwu kingdom in modern day Abia State.

Ibi Ugwu (Male Circumcision) In Igbo Land

The act of circumcising babies in Igbo land is an ancient culture and tradition of the Igbo people which has its origin from their traditional religions. “Circumcision is the act of removing female genitalia, or a simple fold of skin (foreskin and prepuce) that covers the head of an un-erect penis”. In ancient times, the Igbos circumcise both male and female children, but as modernization set in, the circumcision or genital mutilation of Igbo female children was stopped while that of male continued till today.

Osu Caste System in Igboland- A Tradition Painted With Discrimination

The Igbo ethnic group, which occupied the eastern region of Nigeria, are well known for their multi-branched culture, traditions and religious beliefs which they believe to be very essential in their way of life. Among the countless traditions of the Igbo people is the Osu caste system in which a set of people were separated from the normal Igbo society because they were believed to be sacrifices to the gods of Igboland, these people are called Osu.
According to Igbo history,

The Igue Festival- Edo's colourful festival

The Igue festival takes the pre- eminence among festivals celebrated in Edo State. The most colorful and paramount importance to the people of Benin. It is celebrated every december by every reigning Oba and his subjects to mark the end of the Benins year and as a thanksgiving to the outgoing one. This festival is usually celebrated around the month of September in the ancient times.

The Igue Festival- Edo’s colourful festival

The Igue festival takes the pre- eminence among festivals celebrated in Edo State. The most colorful and paramount importance to the people of Benin. It is celebrated every december by every reigning Oba and his subjects to mark the end of the Benins year and as a thanksgiving to the outgoing one. This festival is usually celebrated around the month of September in the ancient times.

The Nri Kingdom of Umueri

NRI KINGDOM

The Nri people of Igboland have a creation myth which is one of the many creation myth that exists in various parts of Igbo land. The Nri and Aguleri people are in territory of the Umueri clan who trace their lineages back to the patriarchal king- figure “Eri”. Eri’s origin are unclear, though he has been described as a sky being sent by Chukwu (God).

Igbo Traditional Society

By Raymond Nicholas

Traditional Igbo political organization was based on a quasi democratic republican system of government. In tight knit communities, this system with a king ruling over subjects. This government was witnessed by the Portuguese who first arrive and met with the Igbo people in the 15th century. With the exceptions of such as Onitsha, which had kings called Obi, and places like Nri kingdom and

Igbo -Ukwu: Home of the Roped Pots

The bronze work of Igbo-ukuw which can be found in Enugu state remains as the highest of the ancient works of Nigeria art.

It is possible that the inhabitants of Igbo-Ukwu had a metalworking art that flourished as early as the ninth century.

Initiation into Agbalanze Society 1964

One of the highest rungs in Onitsha traditional society ladder is attained through the acquisition of the Ozo title. Ozo is an expensive title whose premier function is to confer on its recipient the priesthood of the ancestral cult. Apart from this primary objective, Ozo elevates one from the status of commoner to that of an aristocrat, making him a member of an exclusive club – the, Agbalanze.
Ozo starts off with Ikpa mmuo a solemn, sacred rite which gradually broadens