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| Igbo War Dance |
The Igbo ethnic tribe can be found in predominantly in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria, they are dominant in Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states, they also occupy some parts of Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Edo, Benue and Kogi States. The River Niger is a key feature in the Igbo Land.
The Igbo's have been around since as early as 4500 BC, with the Igbo Kingdom of Nri gaining prominence in the 10th century. The Igbo tribe is surrounded by the Ijaw, Edo, Isoko, Ogoni, Igala, Tiv, Yako, Idoma and Ibibio ethnic tribes.
The Igbo language is the primary language spoken by the Igbos and has over 20 dialects. There are approximately 32 million Igbo people around the world about 18% of Nigeria's population.
The Igbo's from time have been very industrious people with ancient trade routes spreading as far as Mecca, Medina and Jeddah. This industrious nature still exists among the Igbo people.
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| Obi of Onitsha |
The Igbos live in villages and communities that sometimes span into thousands in population, with the exception of a few kingdoms like Onitsha which had an Obi and Nri presided over by a Priest King; the Ibos generally practiced a democratic republican system of government in which every citizen had equal rights. These communities were presided over by a council of elders.
Yam is a very important crop to the Igbos and to this extent they celebrate The New Yam festival as a mark of harvest.
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| New Yam Festival |
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| Igbo Bride |
The Igbos have a unique dress sense, Modern Igbo
traditional attire is generally made up, for men, of the Isiagu top. Isiagu is usually patterned with lions heads
embroidered over the clothing, It can also be plain. It is
worn with trousers and can be worn with either a traditional title holders hat
(okpu agu or
agwu), or with the traditional Igbo stripped men's hat. The women on the other hand had on a blouse or a wrapper with beads.
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| Igbo Men |
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