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Igbo Traditional Yam Curing
Yams of the Dioscorea genus have many distinct compounds within the yam that makes it toxic to humans. These compounds consist of but not limited to: dioscorine, other alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, phenolic acids, tannins, and oxalates. To remove these toxins, which can induce fatal paralysis, the Igbo people developed a “curing” technique. First the yam is boiled
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The Ijele Masked Spirit
Amongst the Igbo the Ijele is known as the King of all masked spirits. Ijele is the largest single man mask in Sub-Saharan Africa and originated in present-day Anambra and Enugu State, Nigeria. The mask is adorned with 45 figurines that depict different aspects of life, it’s roughly 4-6 meters high with a python wrapped
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What is Nsibidi?
What is Nsibidi/Nsibiri? Nsibidi is an idiographic symbol system that has been in use for centuries in South Eastern Nigeria. Its origins can be traced back to around 400 AD/CE and it is used by several indigenous peoples including the Igbo, Ibibio-Efik, and Ejagham. The Significance of Nsibidi Symbols Today, the most well-known Nsibidi symbols
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An Igbo Proverb: The Palm Tree
Onye nwere nkwu nwere aku: Whoever has palm has wealth
Okwu ID
Okwu ndị Igbo n'ala bekee.
