Igbo Archives • Preserving the past, Inspiring the future

Yam barns, known as “Oba” in Igbo, serve as more than just storage facilities. They stand as architectural marvels that showcase the ingenuity and cultural heritage of the Igbo people. This post delves into the construction techniques, cultural significance, and preservation efforts of these traditional structures. Construction of Yam Barns…

Traditional Igbo yam barn with yams stacked for drying, 1880-1939. Photographed by J Stöcker.

The Cultural Significance of Yams in Igbo Society

Yams, often called the “king of crops,” play a pivotal role in Igbo culture. They serve as more than just a dietary staple; they deeply interweave into the social, economic, and spiritual fabric of the Igbo people. This article explores the historical and cultural importance of yams, their role in…

Colonial Encounters: British Officers and Igbo Leaders in a Strategic Meeting, Reflecting the Divide-and-Rule Tactics Employed During Colonial Rule. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Agnatic Kinship and Leadership in Igbo Societies

Igbo societies are intricately structured around agnatic kinship, where lineage and descent play a crucial role. At the heart of this system is the Okpara Ukwu, the first son of a family. The Okpara heads the Umunna, a section of the village tracing its lineage back to a common father. As we…

A collage of traditional Igbo women's hairstyles showcasing the diversity and complexity of these styles. Each photograph captures a different style, reflecting the cultural identity, social status, beauty standards, and artistic expression within the Igbo community.

Igbo Women’s Hairstyles: A Rich Heritage of Culture and Art

Igbo women’s hairstyles have long been a symbol of cultural identity, artistry, and social status. These hairstyles, which have evolved over centuries, are not merely about aesthetics but also about conveying deeper cultural meanings. This post explores the historical significance, materials and techniques, cultural context, and modern relevance of Igbo…

The Earth Mother, Ala, in an Mbari house dedicated to her in Ebele, near Owerri.

Ala, the Earth Goddess in Igbo Mythology

Ala, also known as Ani, stands as the revered Earth Goddess in Igbo mythology. She embodies the earth’s fertility, morality, and creativity, playing a crucial role in Igbo cosmology. Her name, which translates to “land” in Igbo, signifies her deep connection to the earth and its bountiful fertility. As the…

Burning of Arochukwu during the Anglo-Aro War (1901-1902). Donald A MacAlister.

The Anglo-Aro War: A Clash of Cultures and Power

The Anglo-Aro War (1901-1902) was more than just a military conflict; it represented a profound clash of cultures and ideologies. The Aro Confederacy, along with other southeastern Nigerian communities, fiercely resisted British colonial expansion for over two decades. According to Robert D. Jackson’s “The Twenty Years’ War,” this prolonged resistance…

An Igbo house decorated with carvings. Credit: Kaycee Alozie and Isioma Ani

Traditional Igbo Houses: Architecture and Cultural Significance

The traditional architecture of the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria is a reflection of their rich cultural heritage and practical needs. These houses are not just dwellings but are imbued with cultural, social, and spiritual significance. Structure and Materials Traditional Igbo houses are typically constructed using locally available materials such…

Northcote W. Thomas, British Anthropologist and Psychical Researcher, circa 1910.

Northcote Thomas: A Complex Legacy for Igbo Anthropology

Northcote Whitridge Thomas, an anthropologist appointed by the British government, embarked on a series of ethnographic expeditions in Nigeria from 1909 to 1915. His work, particularly among the Igbo people, left a lasting impact on the study of African cultures. However, his legacy is intertwined with both significant contributions and…

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

The Igbo Masks: Cultural Heritage and Artistic Expression

Masks hold a special place in the cultural and artistic heritage of the Igbo people. These elaborate creations are not merely decorative objects; they carry deep spiritual, social, and cultural meanings. From ancient times to the present day, Igbo masks have played crucial roles in ceremonies, rituals, and festivals, symbolizing…

The Eze Nri

The Eze Nri, the traditional ruler of the ancient Kingdom of Nri in present-day southeastern Nigeria, stands as a symbol of peace, culture, and spiritual authority in Igbo history. Unlike other African kingdoms, the Eze Nri wielded power not through military might but through religious and cultural influence. This established…

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

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

An Elder of Agukwu Nri. c. 1911

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

A man and child from Igbariam, c. 1911

Ceramic Alter for the Igbo Agriculture Deity Ifejioku. c 1890

Arochukwu in Flames, 1901

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

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

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

A Couple from Asaba, Nigeria, 1900

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

Igbo ancestral figures in an obi, Ohafia, 1930s

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

An elder of Obomkpa, c. 1912-13

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

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

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

Nsude Pyramids village shrine, Abaja, Northern Igbo, 1930s

Igbo woman with elaborate geometric hairstyle, c 1910.

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

Group portrait of titled Igbo men, 1900s

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

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

A Dibia with His Tools, 1921

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

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

Igbo war tower in Awka Nibo Nise. Early 20th Century

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

The Architecture of Yam Barns: Preserving Igbo Agrarian Heritage