This photograph, taken in the early 1900s, transports you to Awka (present-day Anambra State, Nigeria). It portrays an Igbo elder, adorning his head with the okpu agha, the war helmet. In his hand, he grasps a sturdy ekpeke, a woven shield. These aren't mere decorations; they're a warrior's full regalia, a powerful symbol of valor and a window into Igbo martial traditions.
This captivating white mask, crafted in the Nri-Awka region of Igbo land, features large, round eye openings, a prominent nose, and a closed mouth. The forehead is adorned with a zigzag pattern resembling a stylized crown, while the cheeks display…
This photograph was taken in 1911 by Northcote Thomas. It shows Nri Obalike, the Eze Nri (King of Nri), surrounded by his loyal attendants and chiefs at the Nkwọ Marketplace in Enugwu-Ukwu. Here, under the watchful eyes of British colonial officers, Nri Obalike was forced to denounce nso and alu.This event marked a turning point in Igbo history, signifying the decline of the Nri hegemony.