igbo - introduction, location, language, folklore, religion, major holidays, rites of passage,...

7/28/2019 Igbo - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major Holidays, Rites of Passage, Relationships, Living Conditions

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14/07/13 Igbo - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major holidays, Rites of passage, Relationships, Living conditions

www.everyculture.com/wc/Mauritania-to-Nigeria/Igbo.html 2/19

Igboland is located in southeastern Nigeria, with a total land area of about 15,800 square

miles (about 41,000 square kilometers). The Igbo country has four distinct areas. The

low-lying deltas and riberbank areas are heavily inundated during the rainy season, and

are very fertile. The central belt is a rather high plain. The Udi highlands are the only

coal-mining area in West Africa.

It is difficult to obtain accurate census figures for either the Igbo or for Nigeria as a

whole. The Igbo population is estimated to be between 5 and 6 million.

3 LANGUAGE

The Igbo language belongs to the Niger-Congo language family. It is part of the Kwa

subfamily. A complicated system of high and low tones indicates differences in meaning

and grammatical relationships. There are a wide range of dialects.

Here are a few Igbo expressions:

English Igbo

Hello, how are you? Keku ka imelo?

What is your name? Kedu ahagi?

Thank you Ndewo

4 FOLKLORE

The Igbo have a system of folk beliefs that explains how everything in the world came

into being. It explains what functions the heavenly and earthly bodies have and offers

guidance on how to behave toward gods, spirits, and one's ancestors.

The Igbo believe the world is peopled by invisible and visible forces: by the living, the

dead, and those yet to be born. Reincarnation is seen as a bridge between the living and

the dead.

5 RELIGION

The major beliefs of the Igbo religion are shared by all Igbo-speaking people. However,

many of its practices are locally organized, with the most effective unit of religious

worship being the extended family. Periodic rituals and ceremonies may activate the

lineage (larger kinship unit) or the village, which is the widest political community.

The Igbo believe in a supreme god who keeps watch over his creatures from a distance.


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He seldom interferes in the affairs of human beings. No sacrifices are made directly to

him. However, he is seen as the ultimate receiver of sacrifices made to the minor gods.

To distinguish him from the minor gods he is called Chukwuthe great or the high god.

As the creator of everything, he is called Chukwu Abiama.

There are also minor gods, who are generally subject to human passions and

weaknesses. They may be kind, hospitable, and industrious; at other times they are

treacherous, unmerciful, and envious. These minor gods include Ala, the earth goddess.

She is associated with fertility, both of human beings and of the land. Anyanwu is the sun

god who makes crops and trees grow. Igwe is the sky god, the source of rain.

In addition to their gods, the Igbo believe in a variety of spirits whose good will depends

on treating them well. Forests and rivers at the edge of cultivated land are said to be

occupied by these spirits. Mbataku and Agwo are spirits of wealth. Others include Aha

njoku (the yam spirit) and Ikoro (the drum spirit).

The Igbo attitude toward their deities and spirits is not one of fear but one of friendship.

6 MAJOR HOLIDAYS

The Igbo celebrate the major national holidays of Nigeria, including New Year's Day

(January 1), Easter (March or April), Nigerian Independence Day (October 1), and

Christmas (December 24 to 26).

In addition, each town has its own local festivals. Those in the spring or summer are held

to welcome the new agricultural cycle. In the fall, harvest festivals are held to mark the

end of the cycle.

7 RITES OF PASSAGE

Circumcision takes place about eight days after the birth of a boy. At this time the

umbilical cord is buried at the foot of a tree selected by the child's mother.

The name-giving ceremony is a formal occasion celebrated by feasting and drinking. A

wide variety of names may be chosen. The name may be based on anything from the

child's birthmarks to the opinion of the diviner, or seer. The nameNwanyimeole

"What can a woman do?"means that a father desires a male child. Onwubiko

"May death forgive"expresses the fact that parents have lost many of their children

and pray that this child may survive.

The process of marrying a young Igbo woman is a long, elaborate one. It is rarely

accomplished in less than a year and often takes several years. The process falls into


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four stages: asking the young woman's consent, negotiating through a middleman,

testing the bride's character, and paying the bride wealth, a kind of dowry.

Death in old age is accepted as a blessing. After death, the body is clothed in the person's

finest garments. The corpse is placed on a stool in a sitting posture. Old friends and

relatives visit and pay their last respects. Young men wrap the corpse in grass mats,

carry it out to the burial ground, and bury it. When the head of a family dies, he is buried

beneath the floor of his house. Burial generally follows within twenty-four hours of

death.

8 RELATIONSHIPS

Two criteria shape interpersonal relations: age and gender. Respect is given to males,

and to older persons. Children are always required to offer the first greeting to their

elders.

Social status is based on wealth, regardless of occupation. The Igbo distinguish between

obgenye or mbi(the poor), dinkpa (the moderately prosperous), and nnukwu madu or

ogaranya (the rich).

9 LIVING CONDITIONS

Village life has changed considerably since the discovery of oil in Nigeria. Houses, which

used to have mud walls and thatched roofs, are now constructed of cement blocks with

corrugated iron roofs. Electricity has been introduced; television sets and radios are now

commonplace. Villages have running water, although it is not connected to every house.

10 FAMILY LIFE

Under the practice of polygyny, many Igbo men have more than one wife. A successful

man marries as many wives as he can support. This involves providing farm plots to

help the women and their dependents make a living. The polygynous family is made up

of a man and his wives and all their children. Beyond that unit is the extended family,

consisting of all the sons in a family and their parents, wives, and unmarried daughters.

The extended family may have anywhere from five to thirty members. Ideally, all of the

members of the extended family live in one large compound.

The Igbo family has changed in recent years. Christian marriage and civil marriage are

important innovations. Among Igbo professional people, the trend is toward the nuclear

family with its own residence.

11 CLOTHING


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The everyday clothing in urban areas is not different from that of Westerners.

Traditional clothing is still worn on important occasions in the cities and every day in

rural areas. For everyday wear men wear a cotton wrap (robe), a shirt, and sandals. For

formal occasions they wear a long shirt, often decorated with tucks and embroidery,

over a dressy wrap, shoes, and a hat. Women wear wraps for both informal and formal

occasions. The everyday wrapper is made from inexpensive cotton, dyed locally. For

formal wear, the wrapper is either woven or batikdyed, and often imported.

The blouse for formal wear is made of lace or embroidered. Women also wear a head tie,

a rectangular piece of cloth that can be worn a number of different ways. The Igbo

traditional dress is a danshiki, a long, loose-fitting top. Formerly Igbo women added

pieces of cloth to show their marital status and number of children.

12 FOOD

The yam is the staple food of the Igbo. Traditionally, the yam was the food of choice for

ceremonial occasions. Nowadays it has been replaced by rice. Other starchy foods

include cassava, taro root, maize and plantains.

A typical meal includes a starch and a soup or stew, prepared with a vegetable to which

pieces of fish, chicken, beef, or goat meat are added. Jollof rice of various types is

popular throughout Nigeria. Among the Igbo who live near waterways it is often

prepared with shrimp. The following recipe is very popular.

13 EDUCATION

Since gaining independence from Britain in 1960, Nigeria has set a priority on education.

Universal primary education is the norm in southern Nigeria, where the Igbo live.

Secondary education has also developed rapidly.

14 CULTURAL HERITAGE

The Igbo have number of wind and stringed musical instruments. The ugene is a whistle

made of baked clay, round in form, and about the size of a billiard ball. Probably the

most interesting of the Igbo instruments is the ubaw-akwala, a sort of guitar. It has a

triangular body formed by three pieces of soft wood sewn together. It is played by

strolling singers in the evenings. Igbo singers improvise as the song proceeds and show

great skill in fitting words to the song's rhythm and tune.

Recipe

Shrimp Jollof Rice


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Ingredients

1 pound of shrimp, cooked, shelled, and deveined

2 or 3 fresh tomatoes, or 1 8-ounce can whole tomatoes

1 can tomato paste

1 onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

teaspoon red pepper flakes

teaspoon ground black pepper

3 Tablespoons peanut oil

1 cup white rice cooked in chicken broth according to directions on the package

Directions

1. Heat the peanut oil in a large kettle.

2. Add the tomato, peppers, onion, and cook for about 3 minutes until the onions and

peppers are softened.

3. Add the tomato paste, about 2 cups of water, and the red pepper flakes and black

pepper. Simmer for about 15 minutes.

4. While this is simmering, cook the rice in another pot according to package

directions.

5. Add the shrimp and simmer about 5 minutes longer.

6. Combine the shrimp sauce with the rice, and pour mixture into an ovenproof dish

and cover.

7. Place in an oven set at 250 F . Bake until the liquid is absorbed completely.

8. Stir to loosen the rice grains and serve.

The flavors improve if this dish is made several hours in advance and allowed to rest in

the oven with the door ajar.

Dancing is a great Igbo pastime, practiced by everybody. There are special dances for

boys, girls, men, women, and mixed groups. Group dancing is associated with religious

observances and festivals.

15 EMPLOYMENT

The traditional Igbo economy depends on root-crop farming. Yams, cassava and taro are

the chief root crops. There is a division of labor according to gender. Men clear the bushand plant the yams with the help of the women and the children. Following the planting

of yams, plots are allocated to the women individually. Each woman plants other crops in

the spaces between the yams and also on the slopes of hills.


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Trading is an old occupation among the Igbo. The marketplace has become an important

source of livelihood. An increasing number of Igbo are now engaged in wage labor.

Growing cities, expanding road construction, new industries, and oil exploration are

creating many job opportunities.

16 SPORTS

Wrestling is the most popular sport among boys and young men, with great annual

contests in every part of Igbo country.

The other popular sport is soccer. Traditionally played only by boys, it has been

introduced to girls through the school system.

17 RECREATION

Traditional entertainment includes storytelling, rituals, dancing, and music making.

Modern forms of entertainment include watching television and going to movies and

discos. Most households own radios, and there are several television sets in each village.

The Igbo enjoy games, including card games and checkers. Among the younger people

American youth culture is popular. Most enjoy listening to rap and rock music.

18 CRAFTS AND HOBBIES

The Igbo practice a number of crafts, some performed by men only and some by

women. Carving is a skilled occupation practiced only by men. They produce doors and

panels for houses, as well as stools, dancing masks, and boxes. Another valued craft is

that of the blacksmith.

Women's crafts include pottery making, spinning, weaving, basketry , and grass plaiting.

19 SOCIAL PROBLEMS

The Igbo have been seriously affected by national problems ranging from civil war to

military coups.

The crime rate in Nigeria is high. The problem is worst in larger urban centers, but rural

areas are also affected. The crime wave was aggravated by the worsening economic

conditions of the 1980s. Drug-related crime emerged as a major problem. Igboland has

so far escaped the worst of this, although marijuana use among young people has been

reported.

20 BIBLIOGRAPHY


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Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Knopf, 1995.

Njoku, John E. Eberegbulam. The Igbos of Nigeria: Ancient Rites, Changes, and

Survival. Lewiston, N.Y.: E. Mellen Press, 1990.

Ogbaa, Kalu.Igbo . Heritage Library of African Peoples. New York: Rosen Publishing

Group, 1995.

WEBSITE

Igbo Homepage. [Online] Available http://www.lioness.cm.utexas.edu/igbo , 1998.

PrimaNet Communications. TheVirtual Igbo Homesites. [Online] Available

http://www.igbo.com , 1998.

World Travel Guide. [Online] Availablehttp://www.wtgonline.com/country/ng/gen.html, 1998.

User Contributions:

Jann Nov 1, 2006 @ 7:07 am

I really like this site for it is very educational. Please send me more informationregarding the Igbo peole.

jazzy f baby Mar 16, 2007 @ 12:12 pm

igbo is very cool and iterresting and i like it a lott and we are readfing a book withigbo people and i think its very cool and i like what my class is reading about and myteacher is reading a book to our humaniteis class

emmanuella chinda A pr 18, 2007 @ 7:07 am

The name (igbo)ibo has suffer so many setback in the (yester-years)recentyears...The name has become a political party instead of a social cultural entity whereany igbo (ethnic clans) component will decide to separate from his people and noigbo clan has done anything about that.I therefore urge the ohaneze to organise asovereign national igbo conference in portharcourt(ikwerre)because igbo need tohave an authentic map of igboland.

emmanuella chinda A pr 18, 2007 @ 7:07 am

The name (igbo)ibo has suffer so many setback in the (yester-years)recentyears...The name has become a political party instead of a social cultural entity where

any igbo (ethnic clans) component will decide to separate from his people and noigbo clan has done anything about that.I therefore urge the ohaneze to organise asovereign national igbo conference in portharcourt(ikwerre)because igbo need tohave an authentic map of igboland.Today the ijaw back by FG are erroneously claiming Ndoki,opobo, ikwerre and etche

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... .

Sipho Jul 25, 2007 @ 12:12 pm

I am South African and I find this culture interesting it is my dream to come andvisit the igbo peolpe one day. they are confident from a film point of view and veryinteresting i love this culture and Nigeria as a country.

Opara Chinedu A ug 27, 2007 @ 2:02 am

I really enjoyed this write up, please try as much as possible to let the Ikwerre Igbosreturn back to their Igbo nation so as to not to play second fiddle in the Nigeriapolitics and Rivers State in particular.Without them (Ikwerres) going back to theirbrothers,the ijaws will continue to suppress and oppresse them.

Ijeoma Sep 8, 2007 @ 1:13 pm

This site is reliable and up to date. Its better than the other sites that make up stuffand post it. I know this because I am Igbo, and this site is correct

Ruth Sep 16, 2007 @ 1:01 am

Well I am an African American married to an Igbo guy Im trying to learn all that Ican about his Culture because he does not explain to me neither discuss with meabout how things are carried out in his tribe. All and any information that is sent tome will be grateful appreciated by all means thank you.

kelsey peeples Nov 8, 2007 @ 7:19 pm

hey yall. i think that you need to add more things abput their customs. i am doing a

school project and i got nothing about their customs. it would help me alot more ifyou did.

thanks!~kelsey peeples~

Tina Rae Mar 13, 2008 @ 8:08 am

OMG... this is awsome.. we are learning about this in school, and i think that it is avery interesting culture to learn about.

francisca May 5, 2008 @ 7:19 pm

wow this is a very good site i think u guys are doing a great job wit dis site

sandra Jul 11, 2008 @ 4:16 pm

my parents are igbo i am proud of my heritage i wouldnt change it for anything,according to me the igbo are the best in nigeria

Kayy Sep 24, 2008 @ 4:04 am

Hiya.. this information is really helpful for a school project. Could you put up or sendme some more information regarding the village life and family structure from the19th century?Thanks.

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Mohammed Nov 2, 2008 @ 4:04 am

Nice jobI think it had many information and it helped me in doing my h.w because we aretocking in class about IBO/IGBOThink YOU

Rowanne Hill Mar 6, 2009 @ 11:11 am

hey, i love the site. it'z really good for my skool prodjects to help get info on what iam searching for. and this iz what i need for my prodject. vary educated site. (sorryfor my miss spelled wordz and not proper grammer.)

Aderonke Mar 17, 2009 @ 4:16 pm

waow, i really like this site. is it possible to get mpre information about the igbodressing because im doing about them for a college project and i need as amnyinformation as possible. Again thanks for the post, it was of great help ...

darlinlauren Mar 26, 2009 @ 9:21 pm

hey, wow this is a cool site. its really helping with my report. thank you to whoeverput this site together!!

Terry Jul 27, 2009 @ 6:06 am

hey, thanx a lot for coming up with this site, it helped me a lot in my research.keep itup!

miminka85 Sep 20, 2009 @ 5:17 pm

Hello,My name is Mimi,i have Nigerian boyfriend (igbo) and i would to know moreabout his culture and to learn ibo language.This site is very interesting!

elsa shelton Sep 21, 2009 @ 11:11 am

hey lol this is definitely the best site regarding the Igbo Culture that ive seen yet. imdoing a huge essay on this culture for school & this site has been extremely helpful!Thanks a zillion!!

Kas O ct 23, 2009 @ 3:03 am

Hello,

This is a great and very informative site ! I am wondering, do you know where I canfind a good Igbo online Dictionary? I have done some searches, but there does notseem to be anything good out there.

Thank-you,

Kas

Chukwuma JohnMary O ct 28, 2009 @ 4:04 am

As an african (I gbo) philosopher, I find this article to be educative & an eye opener to

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.a good meaning & what it takes to be an Igbo. Let us come together to uphold ourGod giving culture. It shall surely be well with us. Ndgbo, ga - adiri anyi n'ilemma. Ekele m n.

ijeoma Nov 2, 2009 @ 7:07 am

i am malay n living in malaysia...am pure malay but married with igbo guy here inmalaysia.i want to knw abt igbo n them food also.pls if some one can teach me or

like to contact me that is my [email protected]

Rob Nov 30, 2009 @ 1:13 pm

Hi, great site. I was wondering if you could send me some info on the roles of thewomen and children in late 19th Century Igbo culture and life. Cheers, great site.

izuu Dec 15, 2009 @ 1:13 pm

This is a very educative site.but i would love to know more of the real igbo land

map,their borders and terrotries.their infastructure from 19th century till now inpictures.

Nunya Jan 16, 2010 @ 9:09 am

This is a very good site. I reccomend to spread it all over and learn about the Iboculture. I am reading Things Fall Apart so this will help, thanks.

Eze Kalu Imo F eb 26, 2010 @ 11:23 pm

Please correct:

Hello how are you? 'kedu ka imelu' or 'kedu ka imere'What is your name? 'kedu aha gi' or 'ke aha gi'these depend on the dialect

AMMA F eb 28, 2010 @ 1:13 pm

Do you have any info on the Apatapa shrine?, origin, pantheon, taboos, likes anddislikes etc.

Iris A pr 14, 2010 @ 9:09 am

Can someone tell me about the traditional Igbo dances and how they work? I amdoing some social studies project about African tribes.

Mae May 24, 2010 @ 5:05 am

Hello, I'm a malaysian chinese, in Malaysia and I have made some nice friends withfew Y oruba men and also few I gbo men. However, they have initiated wanting tostart relationship with me, as for now I am putting any advances on hold because Iam rather concern and skeptical here , as i have read about the 419ers and scams andcriminal activities involvement and etc. I realized that all of them are very privatepeople, and its really hard to identify if any of them are actually serious and

genuinely a good honest man. It will be good to learn of some credible informationon the differences between Yoruba men and Igbo men. Secondly, will be nice toknow if being with one is good or bad experience.

Jul 21, 2010 @ 9:21 m

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I too am igbo. I am a natural born igbo. the only thing I would change is: ellaboratemore on the nigerian clothing. There are other names for them, other than danshiki,women's dress. Btw, great job to ever put this together.

Anya'Luz A ug 22, 2010 @ 1:01 am

Very informative. Extremely interesting. Thank you!

SAM O ct 15, 2010 @ 11:11 am

This website helped SO much with my S.S. project! Thanks!

joy daniel O ct 27, 2010 @ 6:06 am

SO DOES THIS MEANS THAT THE IGBOS DID NOT ORIGINATE FROMSOMEWHERE? COS I REALLY WAT TO KNOW THE ORIGI N OF MAN OF THEIGBOS.

lala Nov 14, 2010 @ 6:18 pm

im doing a skool projsct on the ibo tribe, and i need more info on their social structurepliz!!!THANKYOU very mucho

ginger Nov 29, 2010 @ 3:03 am

This site is very intresting,I am dating a guy from igbo and i would like to know moreabout thier tribe, i love him very much and i want to knpw how they live and learnigbo language so that i can suprise him one day tell him how much i love him in hislanguage.

Theo Dec 6, 2010 @ 7:07 am

I am coming up with a website for people like ginger. It will address complete Ibogrammar, culture and the way of the people.It is not an easy job, but I'm on it. I will soon publish it and make corrections andupdates as we go by.

Laura F eb 1, 2011 @ 12:12 pm

This has been really helpful, currently studying things fall apart by Chinua Achebe, so

doing a presentation on the Ibo life to help get our context of the place and people.thankyou

miriam Mar 13, 2011 @ 8:08 am

what about traditional festival's their history, importance, purposes, when it iscelebrated who attends

Randi Mar 17, 2011 @ 7:19 pm

Does anyone know where I can find some traditional Igbo music to download? Ineed it for a project...

balogun Mar 21, 2011 @ 5:05 am

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... ... - -Nigeria...

Obinna Chibuike James A pr 27, 2011 @ 6:06 am

hey this is really a great work you have done.i really do not have much to say but justto tell you well done.and GOD bless you.

Joe May 11, 2011 @ 9:09 am

This website is very helpful. I'm using this information to help assist my Englishpaper that's due very soon.

Aramintas Couto May 22, 2011 @ 11:23 pm

I am originally from Brazil and recently I read the book entitled "Things for Apart"from Chinua Achebe for a Liberal Arts class. Right now I am doing further researchto write a paper on the connection between the Nigerian Igbo and the Brazilianculture. Brazil is a very diverse country but African culture has a very strong

presence in the northestern states of Brazil and more specifically in Bahia. I havelearned that a large number of africans brought to Brazil by the Portuguese in mid-fifteenth century came from southern Nigeria. I am astonished to find out that wehave more in common than I ever imagined. I am thankful for the culturalcontribution the Igbo people gave to the formation of my country and I am alsothankful for the contribution you have given to my work.

Brent May 25, 2011 @ 3:15 pm

Great job very helpful with my English paper comparing tribes, somehow this hassomething to do with lord of the flies, lol

john onyianta Jun 4, 2011 @ 5:17 pm

Truely, a good job. It really helped me in my GSP 202 TERM PAPER work

Okoye Kezie Jul 1, 2011 @ 11:11 am

Please give me one of the Igbo cultural dance in details

Joanna Jul 17, 2011 @ 5:05 am

I would really appreciate if I could have recipes on how to cook Igbo food for myhusband. I have learned abit but would like more. I enjoyed the article and thankyou for this.

inadou A ug 10, 2011 @ 5:05 am

i love this site. Pls up load more of such articles, which should be centered on igborecipes, such as'African Salad'.

Chukwudi ekeji A ug 15, 2011 @ 9:09 am

This site is very interesting and educating, it has make me know more about theigbo's culture, language e.t.c

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am p ease w e wr e up u am concerne w e pronounc a on owhich you gave as ee-bo. we are not eebo but igbo. gb is pronounced using the lipsanth the tongue touching the upper pallet as the lips closes in oval shape.

Chuka A ug 30, 2011 @ 11:11 am

Yes!!! Proud to be Igbo are you??There's an international body that encompasses every Igbo organisation in the

world...(Ohanaeze Ndigbo)To join this group, go to:facebook and join (Ohanaeze Ndigbo) group

obinwanne Sep 4, 2011 @ 4:04 am

Lets do something about our ancient history of origin even if it's by employingscientific methods in locating the gaps and crossing the bridges. This is important. Ifwe actually have brothers across the borders or from foreign lands just as we saylocally that "there are relations abroad" i.e "nwenne di na mba". If there are, we need

to formally locate and acknowledge them. This will help us a great deal inrepositioning our influence in international politicking and assimilation for ourpolitical survival and group relevance. Lets not limit ourselves in this country...mostespecially when we all know that our progress in this country has nothing to do withthe national government but our individual efforts. Or is there any constitutionalbarrier barring us from reaching out to the world as a tribe or race? We need anational conference even if there are subgroups that don't want it. Let those whoneed it come for it and others shall keep playing second fiddles to their neighbours.The minor should not be allowed to weaken the major no matter what. May Godcontinue to bless and protect the elders and youths of the the land of our birth andrelations abroad.

Kene O ct 13, 2011 @ 5:05 am

If you want to know about the Igbo culture, read ELEMENT OF LIFE AND DEATHby CHUKWUMA NNAEMEKA OBIORA.

k c O ct 21, 2011 @ 2:02 am

this is really very interesting and educating, at list it gives the igbo, a clue of who theyreally are and where they are coming from.i will appreciate this the more if it explores and show hoe the explorative activities

and the continuous intuitive nature of the igbo have contributed in making the worlda better place.if those activities of the igbo that specifies them as hard working people can be addedto this write, it will also be a nice thing

Sasuka O ct 30, 2011 @ 9:21 pm

This site is soo AWESOME!! It totally helped with my SS project!Will definitely come back again.So educational!

Abba'Shaul Nov 3, 2011 @ 10:10 am

I won't congratulate the writer, but rather sympathize him for time wasted to speakof what he don't know and peoples he knew nothing about. Igbos are fantastic upon

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-worldwide initiated and led by British and introduced to others and makes apermanent project of Nigeria, however upon and ontop the Igbo nation her peopleslive and incomparable to any black race but have proved to whitemen and generalityof the western world that irrespective colour or complexion there is no inferioritywith I gbo race at anywhere and any place in the universe.It is only Igbos and their brothers Jews or Israel had ever in life got the place wherethey are without making or advantage of any body to their development, unlikeBritain, USA, Arabs, Russia, France,etc; if they should allow everyman to develop

himself they all shall sure appologise to us. check Nigeria here whether any nationexcept the Igbos had produced a millionaire, general in army when Nigeria was acountry with due process and merritocity. We know how other made their wealth,education, promotions in civil service and both in millitary, paramillitary and police,even upon that closed to a century the west had been introduced to westerneducation but Prof. Dike is the first Idigenious vice chancelor while igbos produced60% of the PhD holders in 1960 when Brutish or brutal peoples granted independenceto Nigeria to be a sovereign nation, though west had more number of professorsaccording to true history of Nigeria but education standard in the east had nostandard with any other place in africa and equal with the highest standard in the

world then which the igbos age to be only the African nation that developed sciencesand technology, when even Korea and Asian besides Japan.The igbo peoples willalways live.Long live Igbos, Long live Igbo nation.

omoj vici Nov 10, 2011 @ 12:12 pm

WOW,Ibo/Igbo is a very good culture,but i still prefer Y ORUBA to any other culture.CAN u guys produce deir festivaland its locations.IGBO/IBO is d second best tribe.

JOHNPAUL Nov 11, 2011 @ 7:19 pm

this article is so helpful in my college essay.also extremely revealing,and educative.

am writing an essay on 'the essence of documenting the igbo folk songs'. pls i need aninfo. on the igbo folk songs(it's origin,usage,significance, e.t.c. tanx

amina Nov 21, 2011 @ 12:12 pm

pls include photos of ways of dressing,what the dishes look like etc.

moonlight Nov 27, 2011 @ 11:23 pm

hello, people! I'm from europe, i'm white and i think igbo language is very cool. Iwant to study igbo. Tell me how start?

ify Dec 10, 2011 @ 10:22 pm

there are not many materials on the internet that can help you with learning Igbolanguage. And the language is somehow difficult and doesen't have word correlatesfor most modern Ideas, therefore, has a quite Limited vocabulary in the ''moderncontext'' of today. :)

Ify Dec 10, 2011 @ 10:22 pm

However many African languages such as Yoruba, Hausa and KiSwahili have Broad

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, ,and British Universities [I am sure about Yoruba and Swahili} ... :).

kat Jan 5, 2012 @ 5:17 pm

I need to kow what religion the europeans were trying to comvert them to when theyfirst came on their land?

Minardabernathy Jan 23, 2012 @ 12:12 pm

I am researching my ancestry and have been told this may be the tribe that is myorigination I would like information this tribe.

gbenga mascot Jan 29, 2012 @ 5:17 pm

Love this site it brings light about culture to the Nigerians abroad that does not knowwhat is culture all about,the value in known your culture.In fact am happy i wasbrought up with my culture.

Samuel Canerdy Jun 1, 2012 @ 1:13 pm

... I don't know what the point of all of this is to be honest, but it DID help... and Isorta thank you for that... I guess...

Prince Okpara Jun 19, 2012 @ 7:07 am

This a nice job. Kudos to those who compiled it. Contributors are welcome. As forthose who want help on the study of Igbo Language, I volunteer to be of help as aCorporate Communicator. Thanks for your attention. I can be reached [email protected]

Daniel Jul 7, 2012 @ 7:19 pm

Study have shown that the igbos have over the years made impact in nigeria,africaand the word at large: socially,culturally,spiritually etc. They arehardworking,skillful,talented. Often reffared as the brain of nigeria.the igbos arereally great.

Neicie Jul 8, 2012 @ 6:06 am

I am really interested in their wedding ceremonies, like the dress for the women and

for the men and are there anything that they do in their culture like jumping thebroom or the breaking of the glass. My sister is getting married to a very nicerespectable and very polite Igbo man. I am excited for them both. I will beperforming their wedding since I am a ordained minister and I would like to includesomething from the Igbo culture and their wedding ceremonies into my sisterswedding. I would like to know if there were certain foods that they ate at theceremonies? Was there certain drinks? Any information would be so gratefullyappreciated.

ada Jul 17, 2012 @ 6:18 pm

Neicie, in reply to your question about igbo food and drinks, well the popular drink ispalm wine and the popular food is either pounded cassava(fufu) and bitter leaf soupor Ugba which is a mixture of ukpaka and dry fish. Igbo food depends on the actualtribe, this is because all igbo's arent from the same ethnic group or enjoy foods that

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.

Nkem Jul 29, 2012 @ 6:18 pm

Did'nt see much on other traditional sports of the igbos.

abby leyva Nov 14, 2012 @ 5:17 pm

so i like the interesting facts in this websites but i want to know more about their

foregn policys and how the missionaries affected their culture.

Godson j.ochukwu Nov 22, 2012 @ 7:07 am

I LIKE TO TANK ALL INTRESTING SOULS THAT WOULD LIKE TO KNOWWHAT THE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE IBOS BE WISE TO UNDERSTANDTHAT A TREE WITHOUT A ROOT IS LIKE A MAN WITHOUT AN ORI GI N ANDTHAT MAKES IT UNIDENTIFIED SOUL THAT IS A MAN WITHOUTIDENTITY.THE IBOS ORIGINATED FROM GOD.

jane Dec 13, 2012 @ 6:06 am

im doin a project for school and this site wasnt very helpfual for me. you should putmore information about the traditional foods that they eat!!

Chuks Demson F eb 13, 2013 @ 5:05 am

Please take this correction: In this situation, you talk about standard Igbo.Hello how are you? Means 'kedu ka i di' or 'kedu ka i mere'What is your name? 'Gini bu aha gi'

MAY I USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INFORM YOU OF OUR NEW IGBOL2BOOKS. IT WILL HELP YOU, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A-NON-IGBOSPEAKER. "UNDERSTANDING IGBO L2: BOOKS 1,2 AND 3. THANK YOU.

Cathy F eb 14, 2013 @ 3:15 pm

Someone should add something about the naturist of the Ibo/Igbo. I feel thatsomethings are left out and that is one of them.

Mar 13, 2013 @ 11:11 am

Very useful. but it would help to add the consequences they believe people receivefrom the gods when they disobey them.

Erick A pr 17, 2013 @ 1:13 pm

This Site Really Helped Me Alot , Im learning This In School And Now Writting AResearch Paper On It . Thanks

Alexa A pr 21, 2013 @ 7:19 pm

This information was very useful, thank you very much! I'm doing a research report

though and more information about marriage and religion would be greatlyappreciated. Email me anytime!

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Igbo forum

mmanue a n a,w y sovere gn na ona con erence n were an no nuguor Anambra? does your people see themselves as IGBOs?

naevia Jul 14, 2013 @ 6:06 am

I want to share my testimony to you all which i believe you can still try yourbest to give a testimony like this so i was married to halen sergey at first willboth love each other but short time he started a new behavior which i cannot

even explain to any one then i keep it to my self hopping one day he will changefor good no way he did not change so i was in pain every day don't no what to doon till one day when a friend of mine visited me in my office she met me cryingthen she was asking me what is going on i try to be cam but i could not then iopen up to her telling me there is a way out which i will do before he left mewith my kids i look up and not knowing what to do then i ask her to tell me.shortly she open up to me and say there is a man called drogun he is a spirit man alsomagic manhe can do it with in three days then i look an said okay i will try my best tocontact him four days later, my husband did not come home i called his phoneswitch off then i try my possible best i did not hear from him so i began to look

for one way for a help so i remember my friend told me about one man callShogo i quickly run to my friend asking her if she still have shogo contact thenshe gave it to me that was how i contacted this great man of spirit he did it forme so quick so now i can now control my husband in any thing even i can tellhim that i don't want him outside today he will not. Now i have a happy familythank you once again drogun real deal and i am so glad that i found him and irecommend him to anyone who needs help. thank you so much drogun you savedmy life! Cammy so via email [email protected] he will do it for you

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