Igbo Archives • Page 2 of 3 • Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future

This historical group portrait, captured by Dr. William Henry Crosse between 1886 and 1895, shows individuals from the Niger River Igbo area in Nigeria. Taken during the period of the Royal Niger Company’s operations, this image is part of the Crosse Collection at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge.…

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 in traditional wedding attire. She wears a patterned textile dress, elaborate beaded jewelry, and a unique hairstyle. A patterned textile serves as the backdrop.

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 a powerful figure: an Ikenga. In Igbo culture, the Ikenga is more than just a sculpture. It's a symbol carved from wood, representing an individual's potential for achievement, success, and even their destiny.

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

This heavy wooden door, known as ḿgbó èzí in the Igbo language, is more than just an entrance. It’s a statement piece, a symbol of status, and a testament to the artistic heritage of the Igbo people. These doors were traditionally used as grand entryways to the enclosed compounds of…

Ceramic Alter for the Igbo Agriculture Deity Ifejioku. c 1890

Ceramic group of figures on a stand, made of pottery. In the centre is a man holding a drinking-horn in his left hand and a fan in his right, both signs of his status. Either side of him are two pregnant women, probably his wives, with elaborate hairstyles and scarification,…

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

This sculpture, captured by William Fagg on February 28, 1946, and currently housed in the British Museum, depicts Ala, the Earth Mother, in Igbo spirituality. She holds a knife in her right hand and rests her left hand on the head of a smaller female figure, symbolizing her power and…

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

Nigeria’s ancient treasures go beyond what most people know. Among these wonders, the Nsude pyramids stand out for their unique shape and deep connection to the Igbo people. Located in the villages of Ngwo, Nsude, and Agbaja Ọwa, these circular pyramids have stories of artistic brilliance and a deep respect…

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

In Igbo cosmology, Chineke is often referred to as the supreme creator God. However, the concept of Chineke is more complex and multifaceted than a single definition. Let’s look into Igbo creation stories and explore the true meaning of Chineke, the relationship between Chi and Eke, and the impact of…

Arochukwu in Flames, 1901

This photograph from the British Museum captures a devastating moment in Igbo history: the burning of Arochukwu, the capital of the Aro Confederacy, in 1901. The image shows mud huts engulfed in flames, a stark reminder of the violence that erupted during the Aro Punitive Expedition.

Igbo ancestral figures in an obi, Ohafia, 1930s

This black and white photograph, taken by G.I. Jones in the 1930s, showcases five intricately carved wooden figures representing Igbo ancestral figures. These figures are placed within an obi, in Ohafia. The photograph is part of the Jones Archive at Southern Illinois University. The figures vary in height and are…

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

These towers are far from mere remnants of the past. They were vital strongholds built during a tumultuous period – the brutal era of the transatlantic slave trade (15th-19th centuries). As you gaze upon their sturdy forms, captured in Zbigniew Dmochowski’s photographs, imagine the Igbo communities of that time facing…

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

This photograph was taken by G. F. Packer in 1889 and is source from the Pitt Rivers Museum. It features a trader from Timbuktu and a rich trading woman, who who might be a member of the Onitsha women’s Otu Odu society, or an Omu, the female counterpart to the…

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 a crucial artifact for understanding traditional Igbo society and its hierarchical structure. It underscores the significance of titleholders and their roles in Igbo culture. The traditional attire visible in the photograph offers insights into social standing and community significance.

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

The image features Obi John Samuel Okolo Okosi I, the first Christian Obi of Onitsha, seated in a dignified manner. He is dressed in European-style royal attire, including an ornate crown and a richly adorned robe, signifying his high status. The backdrop includes two emblems with crowns, enhancing the regal…

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

The image is a black and white photograph of Chief Obudugbo, also known as Ezeana of Neni, taken by Northcote Thomas around 1910-11. Chief Obudugbo is dressed in traditional attire, including a necklace with large beads and a patterned garment, reflecting his high status within the Igbo community. Chief Obudugbo…

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 of the Igbo people in Igbariam. It features a man and a child, captured in a moment that transcends time, providing insight into the familial bonds, and the social environment of the era.

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 Aro Punitive Expedition. It shows Arochukwu natives clearing bushland under British compulsion outside the town of Bende.

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 Alusi shrine with its priest seated and it’s slave standing behind the figure. These sacred figures, traditionally crafted from wood, mud, or a combination of both, served as a powerful link between the physical world and the spirit realm.

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 wooden head dress, set with pearl buttons, and seated on an oche mpata. This photograph provides a unique glimpse into the cultural and social heritage of the Igbo people, particularly focusing on the esteemed position of women in Igbo society.

A Couple from Asaba, Nigeria, 1900

This photograph, from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, is a gateway to Asaba's soul circa 1900—a time when the fabric of the town was being rewoven under the shadow of colonialism. It depicts a couple, their attire a testament to the cultural synthesis at a historical crossroads.

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