A Dibia with His Tools, 1921

This 1921 photograph from G.T. Basden’s “Among the Ibos of Nigeria” presents an Igbo dibia in action, surrounded by his...
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A Dibia with His Tools, 1921

A young Igbo bride in wedding attire, c. 1880-1905

A photograph from around 1880 to 1905 by Nigerian Photographer J.A. Green. The image depicts a young Igbo woman, adorned...
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A young Igbo bride in wedding attire, c. 1880-1905

An Elder of Agukwu Nri. c. 1911 

This colorized photograph, originally captured by Northcote Thomas in approximately 1911, features an Elder of Agukwu Nri. The image is...
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An Elder of Agukwu Nri. c. 1911 

Igbo ancestral figures in an obi, Ohafia, 1930s

"Igbo ancestral figures in an obi (central house), Ohafia, 1930s. Photo: G.I. Jones" This black and white photograph, taken by...
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Igbo ancestral figures in an obi, Ohafia, 1930s

Heavy wood door from Nri Awka, 19th-20th century

Heavy wood door from Nri Awka, 19th-20th century This heavy wooden door, known as ḿgbó èzí in the Igbo language,...
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Heavy wood door from Nri Awka, 19th-20th century

Young Igbo Man with Traditional plaited Hairstyle and Neck Beads, circa 1880-1939

This black-and-white photograph showcases a profile view of a young Igbo man with a domed, plaited hairstyle adorned with beads....
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Young Igbo Man with Traditional plaited Hairstyle and Neck Beads, circa 1880-1939

Aro natives Cutting bush with matchets during the Anglo-Aro war, 1901.

This historical image from the British Museum depicts a scene from the Anglo-Aro War of 1901, also known as the...
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Aro natives Cutting bush with matchets during the Anglo-Aro war, 1901.

A Wooden Ikoro Drum from Ohafia with a Female Figure Holding a Baby. 1930s

The Ikoro drum holds a special place in Igbo and Ibibio cultures. Known as "ikorok" in Ibibio, these large slit...
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A Wooden Ikoro Drum from Ohafia with a Female Figure Holding a Baby. 1930s

A man and child from Igbariam, c. 1911

This photograph, taken around 1911 by Northcote Thomas, is a significant historical artifact that offers a look into the life...
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A man and child from Igbariam, c. 1911

An Igbo elder from Awka with wooden head dress, set with pearl buttons, c. 1910-11

Over a century ago, British anthropologist Northcote Whitridge Thomas captured this iconic image—an Igbo elder from Awka adorned in a...
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An Igbo elder from Awka with wooden head dress, set with pearl buttons, c. 1910-11

A Couple from Asaba, Nigeria, 1900

This photograph provides a look into life in Asaba around 1900. It captures a couple whose clothing reflects a blend...
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A Couple from Asaba, Nigeria, 1900

An Igbo girl from Nibo, with ùlì designs on her skin, 1911

This photograph captures an Igbo girl from Nibo, now in Anambra State, adorned with ùlì body art. Taken by British...
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An Igbo girl from Nibo, with ùlì designs on her skin, 1911

Entrance Portico of Chief Ogbua’s Iba, Onicha, 1961

Entrance Portico of Chief Ogbua’s Iba, Onicha, circa 1961 Image courtesy of Ukpuru on X. This black-and-white photograph features the...
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Entrance Portico of Chief Ogbua’s Iba, Onicha, 1961

Comic Mask from Lughulu Masquerade, Item Tribe, Isu-Item Igbo, 1930s

This black and white photograph captures a carved wooden mask from the Lughulu Masquerade of the Item Tribe in Isu-Item....
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Comic Mask from Lughulu Masquerade, Item Tribe, Isu-Item Igbo, 1930s

Nri-Awka white female face mask with itchi scarring, 1937

Nri-Awka white female face mask with itchi scarring, 1937. Pitt Rivers Museum. University of Oxford This captivating white mask, crafted...
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Nri-Awka white female face mask with itchi scarring, 1937

The Earth Mother, Ala, in an Mbari house in Ebele. 1946

"The Earth Mother, Ala, in an Mbari house dedicated to her in Ebele, near Owerri." William Fagg, February 28, 1946....
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The Earth Mother, Ala, in an Mbari house in Ebele. 1946

Ekpe (Leopard Society) Meeting House, Umuajatta Village, Olokoro

View of an Ekpe meeting house in Umuajatta village, Olokoro, featuring a thick thatched roof, low walls with Ngwomo-style painted...
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Ekpe (Leopard Society) Meeting House, Umuajatta Village, Olokoro

Group portrait of titled Igbo men, 1900s

The photograph shows a group of titled men, possibly members of the prestigious Nze na Ozo society. The image highlights...
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Group portrait of titled Igbo men, 1900s

Ceramic Alter for the Igbo Agriculture Deity Ifejioku. c 1890

Ceramic Alter for the Igbo yam/agriculture deity Ifejioku, Osisa in the Ndokwa Igbo area, c 1890. © The Trustees of...
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Ceramic Alter for the Igbo Agriculture Deity Ifejioku. c 1890

An Igbo shrine with its priest and it’s slave in Orsu, West Isuama Igbo. 1930s

This photograph, captured by G. I. Jones in the 1930s, showcases a central figure in Igbo belief systems – the...
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An Igbo shrine with its priest and it’s slave in Orsu, West Isuama Igbo. 1930s

Trader from Timbuctou and Rich Trading Woman, Onitsha. c. 1889

Trader from Timbuctou on the right and Rich Trading Woman on the left. Pitt Rivers Museum. Photographed by G. F....
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Trader from Timbuctou and Rich Trading Woman, Onitsha. c. 1889

Ogaranya Masquerade, Nimo, 1930s

Close-Up of Ogaranya Masquerade in Nimo. Photograph by Gwillim I. Jones, 1930s.Jones Archive Southern Illinois University. Shared under a Creative...
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Ogaranya Masquerade, Nimo, 1930s

Igbo man tying yams in a yam barn, 1880-1939

This photograph, taken between 1880 and 1939, depicts an Igbo man tying yams onto a large frame made of poles...
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Igbo man tying yams in a yam barn, 1880-1939

Iro Ekpetu masquerader from Amuda village, Onitsha Province, 1932 and 1938

This 1932-1938 photograph showcases a "Mau" or ghost masquerade, known as Iro Ekpetu, from Amuda village in the Onitsha Province....
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Iro Ekpetu masquerader from Amuda village, Onitsha Province, 1932 and 1938

Nri Obalike with his attendants and Chiefs, during the abrogation of nso and alu, 1911

This photograph was taken in 1911 by Northcote Thomas. It shows Nri Obalike, the Eze Nri (King of Nri), surrounded...
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Nri Obalike with his attendants and Chiefs, during the abrogation of nso and alu, 1911

Nsude Pyramids Village Shrine, Abaja, Northern Igbo, 1930s

Nsude Pyramids village shrine, Abaja, Northern Igbo, 1930s. Photographed by G.I. Jones. Courtesy of Jones Archive, Southern Illinois University. Shared...
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Nsude Pyramids Village Shrine, Abaja, Northern Igbo, 1930s

Obi of Onitsha Samuel Okosi I, the first Christian Obi of Onitsha. 1899

Obi Onitsha Sam Okosi I, the first Christian Obi of Onitsha, poses with European-style ‘royal’ regalia. Image courtesy: Ukpuru on...
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Obi of Onitsha Samuel Okosi I, the first Christian Obi of Onitsha. 1899

Chief Obudugbo. “Ezeana of Neni”. c. 1910-11

Chief Obudugbo. "Ezeana of Neni". Photographed by Northcote Thomas, c. 1910-11. MAA Cambridge.Image Credit: Ukpuru on X The black and...
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Chief Obudugbo. “Ezeana of Neni”. c. 1910-11

An Igbo Elder from Awka, Wearing the Okpu Agha and Holding the Ekpeke, c. 1913

This photograph, taken in the early 1900s, transports you to Awka (present-day Anambra State, Nigeria). It portrays an Igbo elder,...
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An Igbo Elder from Awka, Wearing the Okpu Agha and Holding the Ekpeke, c. 1913

Group Portrait from the Royal Niger Company, Niger River Igbo area, c. 1886-1895

Group portrait taken by Dr. William Henry Crosse, Royal Niger Company, c. 1886-1895, Nigeria. Image source: MAA Cambridge. This historical...
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Group Portrait from the Royal Niger Company, Niger River Igbo area, c. 1886-1895

Íhú Chí (1916) and the Duality of Chi and Eke

Íhú chí. This small, decorated pot is believed to hold the chi, the personal spirit, of someone who has given...
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Íhú Chí (1916) and the Duality of Chi and Eke

Young Igbo Girl Painted with Uli, 1930s

This black and white photograph shows a young girl adorned with traditional body art. The woman’s skin is painted with...
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Young Igbo Girl Painted with Uli, 1930s

An elder of Obomkpa, c. 1912-13

This photograph, captured by Northcote Thomas around 1912-13, presents an elder of Obomkpa, providing a unique glimpse into the heart...
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An elder of Obomkpa, c. 1912-13

Igbo woman with elaborate geometric hairstyle, c 1910.

A black and white photograph of an Igbo woman, circa 1910. She has her hair styled in an elaborate pattern...
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Igbo woman with elaborate geometric hairstyle, c 1910.

Portraits of an Igbo Woman in Oweri Province, 1909-1913

These 1909-1913 portraits of an Igbo woman from Oweri Province capture her beauty. The first, a front view, highlights her...
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Portraits of an Igbo Woman in Oweri Province, 1909-1913

A wood carver carving an Ikenga figure, Nri-Awka Igbo. 1930s

This photograph captures a wood carver from Nri-Awka Igbo at work. His hands skillfully shape the wood, transforming it into...
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A wood carver carving an Ikenga figure, Nri-Awka Igbo. 1930s

Arochukwu in Flames, 1901

This photograph from the British Museum captures a devastating moment in Igbo history: the burning of Arochukwu, the capital of...
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Arochukwu in Flames, 1901
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Comic Mask from Lughulu Masquerade, Item Tribe, Isu-Item Igbo, 1930s

Comic mask from the Lughulu Masquerade in the Isu-Item Igbo community (Item Tribe), photographed by G.I. Jones in the 1930s. Published in African Arts (Vol. 6, No. 4, Summer 1973).

This black and white photograph captures a carved wooden mask from the Lughulu Masquerade of the Item Tribe in Isu-Item. With large rectangular eyes and a protruding lower face, the handcrafted mask reflects the rich traditions of Igbo masquerades. Photographed by G.I. Jones in the 1930s and published in African Arts, this image is a valuable cultural record.

Read MoreComic Mask from Lughulu Masquerade, Item Tribe, Isu-Item Igbo, 1930s

Young Igbo Girl Painted with Uli, 1930s

Young Igbo Woman Painted with Uli

This black and white photograph shows a young girl adorned with traditional body art. The woman’s skin is painted with Uli patterns. She is wearing a headpiece with feathers and other decorative elements. Her back is turned towards the camera, showing the designs on her skin more prominently. The blurred figures in the background suggest that this photo was taken at a public event or gathering. This image showcases the Igbo traditional art form of Uli. This art form holds significance in terms of identity and aesthetics within this community.

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The Significance of Minimal Clothing in Igbo History

Igbo Women in Traditional Attire, circa early 20th century** Source: Basden, G. T. *Among the Ibos of Nigeria*. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1921, pg. 96.

Traditional Igbo clothing has often been misunderstood, particularly in the context of what some might call "nudity." Historical photographs of the Igbo people have frequently been misinterpreted as symbols of backwardness or immodesty by outsiders. However, these depictions reflect a rich cultural history deeply rooted in environmental, social, and spiritual factors.

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Young Igbo Man with Traditional plaited Hairstyle and Neck Beads, circa 1880-1939

Young Igbo Man with Traditional plaited Hairstyle and Neck Beads, circa 1880-1939.

This black-and-white photograph showcases a profile view of a young Igbo man with a domed, plaited hairstyle adorned with beads. His neck is decorated with a traditional bead necklace, reflecting the cultural emphasis on personal adornment in Igbo society. The image, a gelatin silver print taken between 1880 and 1939, captures both the artistic and cultural significance of these features.

Read MoreYoung Igbo Man with Traditional plaited Hairstyle and Neck Beads, circa 1880-1939

Iro Ekpetu masquerader from Amuda village, Onitsha Province, 1932 and 1938

This 1932-1938 photograph showcases a "Mau" or ghost masquerade, known as Iro Ekpetu, from Amuda village in the Onitsha Province. The image captures the masquerader, seated and holding a stick, adorned in a fierce black mask with intricate carvings, white-painted eyes, and exaggerated facial features like a bulging mouth with protruding teeth. The mask is topped with a raffia hairpiece, adding to its menacing appearance. The background reveals a traditional Igbo setting, with mud huts and lush vegetation, grounding the cultural significance of this Igbo masquerade tradition.

Read MoreIro Ekpetu masquerader from Amuda village, Onitsha Province, 1932 and 1938