06/02/2018 – Kendrick Lamar releases the video to his latest single “All the stars” and it’s riddled with Igbo symbols.
Most Igbo people will instantly be able to recognise the very familiar Igbo red cap (fez). The โred cap” in Igboland is currently a symbol of authority, culture and tradition.
The golden graphical symbols displayed in the background as Kendrick walks through the room are heavily reminiscent of the Igbo/Ekpe Ukara cloth.
The Ekpe (leopard) society was a secret society present in southeastern Nigeria and western Cameroon among the Ejagham, Efik-Ibibio and Igbo ethnic groups. The group also wrote using a pictographic writing script called the Nsibidi. This is often featured on many Ukara cloth patterns.
The Ekpe society would use ritual propitiation of forest spirits to ensure the well-being of the community and enforce laws.
Other than Igbo symbols, the video also features several African influences, a favourite is what looks like Ghanaian Kente cloth style cut outs on the floor which SZA is lying.
SZA (left) Typical Ghanaian Kente Cloth (right).
5 responses to “Meaning of African (Igbo) Symbols in Kendrick Lamar’s – All The Stars”
there is a lot of symbolism in these videos, almost every one
[…] me to start researching my various peoples and their cultures and, particularly for this video, there are posts outlining many of the video’s cultural elements. But even with my limited knowledge, there were three […]
It’s documented that EKPE society belongs only to Efik people and รrรถ people,the Igbos probably adopted it.
Good work here though.
They are neighbours with a shared history. It’s documented and presently evident that the Ekpe society spread into the southeastern Igbo regions particularly under the Aro confederacy which ruled the region for centuries. There is a heavy Igbo presence and input into the Ekpe society. For example see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37Z9hzf-9cA there are always Ekpe Igbos present at the Aro Ikeji.
Also Efik origin of Ekpe is disputed. Many believe the origins are Ejagham.