Objects with the right names
How to read this museum
Ijele is Ijele. A beach is not Ogbunike.
Every exhibit below is an Igbo object, rite or place. Admins can add more photos and notes. We do not use random stock pictures for sacred things.
Archive & Heritage
Digital Museum
Named Igbo objects and places. Admins add more under Museum. We do not show a beach for a cave.
PIONEER
Chinua Achebe
Writer — Things Fall Apart
Novelist and critic from Ogidi. Things Fall Apart (1958) is among the most widely read African novels.
Masquerade
Ijele
Anambra and wider Igboland
The giant Igbo masquerade.
PIONEER
Nnamdi Azikiwe
First President of Nigeria
Zik of Africa. Journalist and statesman; first President of Nigeria (1963–1966).
Sculpture
Ikenga
Personal shrine
Horned figure of the right hand.
PIONEER
Flora Nwapa
Novelist — Efuru
From Oguta. Efuru (1966) is often cited as the first novel in English published by a Nigerian woman.
Textile
Akwete cloth
Ndoki, Abia
Hand-woven Igbo cloth.
Rite
Ọkwa ọjị
Every Igbo town
Wooden kola platter.
PIONEER
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Writer
Author of Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah. Born in Enugu, raised in Nsukka.
Art
Uli
Igbo women painters
Linear painting on skin and walls.
Instrument
Ogene
Igbo smiths
Twin iron gong.
Dress
Isiagu
Igbo formal wear
Lion-head brocade and red cap.
Place
Ogbunike Caves
Anambra State
Limestone caves on Nigeria’s UNESCO tentative list.
Architecture
Traditional house
Historic Igboland
Mud walls and raffia roof.
Livelihood
Palm wine
Eha-Alumona, Enugu
Tapped from oil or raffia palm at dawn.