I would like to first tell you a little about the Igbo or Ibo people, as they are sometimes called. They are one of the most ancient groups throughout this world. They reside in Southern Nigeria in Africa (also called Igboland) and are divided into 5 geographical subcultures: northern, southern, western, eastern, and northeastern Igbo. These are further divided into subgroups in scattered villages throughout Nigeria, which is about 15,800 square miles with an estimated 5 to 6 million people who reside there.

 

These subgroups include:

   Anioma, Aro, Edda, Ekpeye, Etche, Ezza, Ika,  Ikwerre,Ikwo, Ishielu, Izzi, Mbaise, Mgbo, Ngwa, Nkalu, Nri-Igbo, Ogba, Ohafia, Ohuhu, Omuma, Onitsha, Oratta, Ubani and Ukwuani.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    When it comes to religion, they believe in certain gods and spirits and are deeply religious. These gods include the supreme god, Chukwu (the great or high god). He is the receiver of sacrifices made to the minor gods. These minor gods are subject to human passions and weaknesses. Ala, the earth goddess and Igwe, the sky god, are just a couple of examples. Also in addition to these gods, they also believe in spirits, including Mbataku and Agwo, the spirit of wealth and Ikoro, the drum spirit. There are more, however this is just a quick introduction.

 

   Like with any other culture, they to have their own cultural traditions, social problems, family problems, hobbies and their own folklore. They're humans with lives just like the rest of us on earth; they just live it much differently. The traditions that I'm speaking of is the Igbo's art, music, dance, attire, food and language. This art includes different types of masquerades, masks, costumes and abstract conceptions. The Igbo art is anything of visual art originating from the Igbo people. They are a culturally rich and religious people.

  

   Also, just like other indigenous cultures all over the world, they too view the concept of time differently. We westerners move along in a straight arrow going forward, meaning that what is in the past stays in the past and tomorrow will be better than today. However, for these Igbo people their concept of time is more of a spiral rather than a straight arrow that goes forward. For them it is more of a "what goes around comes around" philosophy. Their present will fade away, but will reappear later on.

 

   They view art differently than the western culture as well. However for these Igbo people, some art may be for entertainment purposes, but will remain symbolic when used in these masquerades, being either for entertainment or tradition purposes.

About the Igbo