The Ibo or Igbo people live in southeastern Nigeria and have many interesting customs and traditions. They are one of the largest and most influential tribes in Nigeria, with a population of around 40 million people. Igbos are well-known for their entrepreneurial endeavors, both in Nigeria and around the world. Here’s everything you need to know.
History
The Igbo people are descended from Eri, a divine figure who was sent from heaven to start civilization, according to Igbo folklore. Another account portrays Eri as one of the sons of Gad (as mentioned in the Bible’s book of Genesis) who traveled down to establish modern-day Igboland.
Igbos live in Igboland, which is divided into two sections along the lower Niger River in Nigeria. They live in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states, as well as minor parts of Delta, Rivers, and Benue states. There are also small Igbo communities in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
Igbos migrated to countries such as Jamaica, Cuba, Barbados, Belize, and the United States as a result of the transatlantic slave trade. Elements of Igbo culture have been discovered in Jamaican patois, such as the Igbo word ‘unu,’ which means ‘you,’ and red Ibo,’ which describes a black person with fairer skin (a lighter skin tone is common among Igbos). Eboe Town is a neighborhood in Belize City named after its Igbo residents. Many Nigerians have immigrated to the United States since the late twentieth century, and many of them are Igbos. More than 200,000 Igbos are thought to live in the United States.
Culture and traditions
Governance
The Igbo political system is distinct from that of most of its West African neighbors. With the exception of a few major Igbo communities that have an Obi (king), Igbos have a traditional republican system of government that consists of a consultative assembly of people that guarantees citizens’ equality. This system differs from the traditional form of government in which a king rules over his subjects. Even though some title holders are respected for their accomplishments, they are never revered as kings.
Historical findings
Thurstan Shaw discovered many Igbo artifacts at archaeological sites in Igbo-Ukwu between 1959 and 1964, including over 700 high-quality bronze, copper, and iron artifacts, as well as stone beads, glass, and ivory. The oldest bronze artifacts in West Africa are said to be Igbo. The British Museum currently houses five bronze artifacts from the dig.
Occupation
Igbos were traditionally farmers, craftsmen, and traders; evidence of crafts and metalwork has been discovered in archeological discoveries. A number of the metals used by craftsmen were said to be from Egypt, indicating trade across the Sahara long before Europeans arrived in Africa.
Cuisine
The yam is the most important crop for the Igbo people, and it is the reason for the New Yam Festival (Iri Ji), which celebrates the harvest of new yams. The yam is also an important part of the traditional diet, and it is prepared as pounded yam, eaten with various soups, or eaten immediately after boiling. Igbos are famous for their soups, which are made from locally grown vegetables, fruits, and seeds. Oha, nsala, akwu, okazi, and ofe owerri are the most popular Igbo soups.
Religion
The Igbo people have a traditional religious belief that there is only one creator, known as ‘Chineke’ or ‘Chukwu’. Many other deities and spirits in the form of natural objects, most notably the thunder god ‘Amadioha,’ can be approached by the creator. Other gods include ‘Ala,’ the feminine earth spirit, ‘Anyanwu,’ a deity believed to dwell on the sun, and ‘Idemili,’ the water goddess whose symbol is a python. Following Nigeria’s colonization, the majority of Igbos (more than 90%) converted to Christianity, which remains the dominant religion today.
Marriage
A marriage is contracted in Igbo culture by the man asking for the woman’s hand from her father, which is the first stage known as ‘iku aka’ (‘to knock on the door’). The groom and his family members’ second visit to the woman’s family will include the presence of her extended family, who must also give their consent. The groom will make a third visit to pay the bride price and collect the list of items he will bring to the woman’s family for the wedding from his future in-laws. The fourth and final stage is the wedding, which is known as ‘igba nkwu’ or ‘wine carrying,’ in which the bride will come out to look for her groom (who will be hiding in the crowd) and offer him a cup of palm wine. The couple is then blessed by family and friends, and the celebrations begin.
