Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Ancestor worship



WORSHIP OF ANCESTORS NZE, ỌFỌ AND IKẸṄGA (ONI[CH]A OLONA).


— Thomas

Location: Onicha Olona, Alaigbo | Date: ?Unsure?, Before 1921 | Credit: Thomas.

Man of Awka



MAN OF AWKA, ABOUT 40 YEARS OF AGE [more like 50].


— Thomas

Location: Oka, Alaigbo | Date: ?Unsure?, Before 1921 | Credit: Thomas.

Warriors



A group of Ibo warriors in ancient battle dress


— Jeffreys

Location: ?Unsure?, Alaigbo | Date: ?Unsure? | Credit: M. D. W. Jeffreys

Ibo Warfare



TWO IBO WARRIORS COMBINING ANCIENT AND MODERN WAR EQUIPMENT


— Jeffreys

Location: ?Unsure?, Alaigbo | Date: ?Unsure? | Credit: M. D. W. Jeffreys

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Isi Kpọlọkpọlọ



Young man (Asaba) with isi kpolokpolo


— Thomas

Location: Ahaba, Alaigbo | Date: ?Unsure?, Before 1921 | Credit: Thomas.

Woman and child of [Agukwu]



Location: Agukwu Nri, Nri, Alaigbo | Date: ?Unsure?, Before 1921 | Credit: Thomas.

Playing Okwe



Location: ?Unsure?, Alaigbo | Date: ?Unsure?, Before 1921 | Credit: Basden.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Igwe Ahaba and his attendant



Grades of chiefs.—The first and highest grade is that of Igwi [Igwe]. The distinguishing mark is a circle of broom (termed Aziza, from the palm tree), knotted before and behind, with upturned ends a couple of inches or so in length.

This circle is usually worn round a red cloth cap, rather like a flattened fez, but is occasionally worn round a brown one, and, when work has to be done, even on the uncovered head. In addition, the Igwi carries a circular fan made of untanned cow-hide, usually ornamented with red cloth strips or some similar decoration,and a short thin handle. This is the Azuzu. Finally, a short-handled many-thonged fly-flick is common, and is carried in the hand or over the shoulder. This is the Ijappa. Ivories round ankles or wrists are very usual and are termed respectively ordu uku (ivory [for] foot) and orku uku (ivory [for] hand).

Thumb rings are known as umbáká orpupu (literally ring bone).

A horn, which, when properly blown, produces a long discordant note, is called Oturu aka, and is often carried by an Igwi. The origin of the name Oturu aka is doubtful; the instrument, in the form of a slightly bent cone, is made from the canine of a hippopotamus, the horn of a cow, etc.; it is blown through a small rectangular slit half way down the length, and is open only at one end.


Location: Ahaba, Alaigbo | Date: 1906 | Credit: L. H. L. Huddart

War helmets



War helmets to protect the head against blows,Ibo


— M. D. W. Jeffreys

Location: Studio | Date: ?Unknown? | Credit: M. D. W. Jeffreys