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Traditional Igbo string games
One of the most valuable resources we have come across while doing our work at Okwu ID is the Re Entanglements blog. It has become a consistent reference point for us, offering clear and well-researched documentation from the early colonial period. It focuses on material collected by British anthropologists in Nigeria and other parts of
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The Symbolism of Kola Nut in Igbo Cosmology
What does each part or number of a Kola nut symbolise in Igbo culture? The Kola nut holds immense cultural and symbolic significance in Igbo cosmology. Its various cotyledon numbers are believed to carry distinct meanings that reflect different aspects of Igbo society and spirituality. In this article, we delve into the symbolism of kola
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What is the Ekpe Society?
The Ekpe society, also known as the Leopard Society, is a traditional fraternal secret society found primarily among the Ejaham, Efik, Ibibio, and Igbo peoples of southeastern Nigeria and western Cameroon. This society plays a significant role in the cultural, social, and political life of these communities. The society is known for its elaborate rituals,
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What is Uli/Uri Art?
Uri (uli) motifs drawn by Igbo women from Arochukwu with the juice of the uri tree on paper (usually drawn on the body). 1932. Pitt Rivers Museum. Uli or Uri, a traditional lgbo art form, is a dyeing technique used to adorn the body, murals, and motifs with intricate patterns. This unique art form has
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West Indian Terms of Igbo origin
Some common words still used in Caribbean English[es] that come directly from the Igbo language or are influenced by it. Unu/Wunna ‘You [plural]’, the same in Igbo, únù, wunna may be used, in Nigerian pidgin English una is used. Soso ‘Only’, ‘single’, in Igbo orthography it’s sọsọ [saw-saw] meaning the same. [Not to be confused with English so-so, meaning average or mediocre]
Okwu ID
Okwu ndị Igbo n'ala bekee.
