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An Igbo Elder from Awka, Wearing a War Helmet and Holding a Shield

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An Igbo elder of Awka wearing a war helmet Photographed by Northcote Thomas, c. 1913. Credit: Isioma Ani
An Igbo Elder from Awka, Wearing the Okpu Agha and Holding the Ekpeke

This photograph, taken by Northcote Thomas around 1913, shows an Igbo elder from Awka wearing an okpu agha, a fibre 'crash' helmet plaited from coarse fibre of Colocasia antiquorum stems for defense against weapons, and holding an ekpeke, a woven shield. These items represent elements of traditional Igbo martial attire and protection in warfare.

Community Notes

Onyeka Nwokike

Mar 19, 2026

The okpu agha is a fiber helmet designed for protection in ritual and physical combat. These helmets were typically made from the plaited petioles of the taro plant (Colocasia antiquorum), a material known in Igbo as Akwukwo Ede. As noted by anthropologist Northcote Thomas in his 1913 reports, the fibrous construction provided a "crash helmet" effect, absorbing impact while remaining lightweight for the warrior.

Anthropological Report on the Ibo-speaking Peoples of Nigeria

Onyeka Nwokike

Mar 19, 2026

Unlike the larger ọta body shields, the ekpeke is a smaller, woven wicker shield used for quick maneuvers. In Awka society, carrying such gear was a sign of a man’s readiness to defend the community (obodo). As documented in G.T. Basden's Among the Ibos of Nigeria (1920), these items were not just tools but symbols of a warrior's status and his responsibility to protect his clan.

Among the Ibos of Nigeria

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