Igbo’s are from the Southeastern part of Nigeria and comprise of about 18% of the national population. It was the Igbo attempt to secede that provoked the Nigerian Biafran War. Brief History
The Igbo share linguistic ties with their neighbors the Bini, Igala, Yoruba, and Idoma - with whom it is believed they were closely related until five to six thousand years ago. The first Igbo in the region may have moved onto the Awka-Orlu plateau between four and five thousand years ago. The Igbo came to worldwide attention in the 1960s when they attempted to secede from Nigeria and form the independent Republic of Biafra. Archaeological, linguistic, botanical and anthropological evidence suggests that the Igbo and their ancestors have lived in their present homes from the beginning of human history.The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War of July 1967 through January 1970, was a political conflict caused by the attempted secession of the southeastern provinces of Nigeria as the self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra. The war became notorious for the starvation in some of the besieged war-bound regions, and the consequent claims of genocide made by the Igbo people of those regions.
Religion
Contemporary Igbos are Christians, mostly Catholics. Prior to this, the Igbos believed in the concept of Ofo and Ogu, which is a governing law of retributive justice. A belief in minor deities is still common. Some of the most common deities are; Ala – the earth-goddess, Igwe – the sky-god, Nma miri – the spirit of the river, Mbatuku– the spirit of wealth, Agwo – a spirit envious of other’s wealth, Aha njuku or Ifejioku – the yam spirit, Ikoro – the drum spirit and Ekwu – the hearth spirit, which is woman’s domestic spirit.
Dressing
Traditionally, the attire of the Igbo generally consisted of little clothing, as the purpose of clothing then was to conceal private parts - although elders were fully clothed. Children were usually nude from birth till their adolescence. Ornaments such as beads were worn around the waist for medical reasons. Uri body art was also used to decorate both men and women in form of lines forming patterns and shapes on the body. This practice is no longer common among urban Igbos.
Food
Igbo land is blessed with varieties of cuisine. Yam is very important in the South Eastern region of Nigeria as it is a staple crop. There is a celebration to herald the arrival of the new yam harvest. Some famous igbo soups include: Ofe Owerri, Oha soup, Okazi, Banga, Ogbona, Nsala soup, Egusi soup, Ofe Onugbu (Bitter leaf soup) these can be eaten with Eba, fufu, pouded yam, semo, cassava and starch. Other “igbo snacks” are Nkwobi, Abacha and Isi Ewu.
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