Arts & Culture
Performing arts has always been a significant part of Igbo culture manifested in various festivals all year round. These performances are a celebration of a rich cultural heritage and an expression of pride in the customs and traditions of our forefathers.
- The IGBO
- Igbo Fest
- Traditional Women’s Dance
- Traditional Masquerade Dancers
- War Dance
- Ndi Akporo Dike: Traditional Igbo Drum Band
- Kitchen Night
The IGBO
Traditional Society
Traditional Igbo political organization was truly democratic in nature. In tight knit communities, this system guaranteed its citizens equality, as opposed to a feudalist system with a king ruling over subjects. This government system was witnessed by the Portuguese who first arrived and met with the Igbo people in the 15th century. With the exception of a few notable Igbo towns such as Onitsha, which had kings called Obi, and places like the Nri Kingdom and Arochukwu, which had priest kings; Igbo communities and area governments were overwhelmingly ruled solely by a consultative assembly of the common people. Communities were usually governed and administered by a council of elders.
Although title holders were respected because of their accomplishments and capabilities, they were never revered as kings, but often performed special functions given to them by such assemblies. This way of governing was immensely different from most other communities of Western Africa, and only shared by the Ewe of Ghana. Umunna are a form of patrilineage maintained by the Igbo. Law starts with the Umunna which is a male line of descent from a founding ancestor (who the line is sometimes named after) with groups of compounds containing closely related families headed by the eldest male member. The Umunna can be seen as the most important pillar of Igbo society.
Mathematics in traditional Igbo society is evident in the Igbo calendar, banking system and strategic betting game called Okwe. In the indigenous calendar, a week had four days, a month consisted of seven weeks and 13 months made a year. In the last month, an extra day was added. This calendar is still used in some Igbo villages and towns to determine market days. Law matters were traditionally settled via mediators, and their banking system for loans and savings, called Isusu, is also still used. The Igbo new year, starting with the month Önwa Mbụ (Igbo: First Moon) occurs on the third week of February, although the traditional start of the year for many Igbo communities is around springtime in Önwa Agwụ (June). Used as a ceremonial script by secret societies, the Igbo had a traditional ideographic set of symbols called Nsibidi, originating from the neighboring Ejagham people. Igbo people produced bronzes from as early as the 9th century, some of which have been found at the town of Igbo Ukwu, Anambra state.
A system of Indentured servitude existed among the Igbo after and before the arrival and knowledge of Europeans.[70][71] Indentured service in Igbo areas was described by Olaudah Equiano in his narrative. He describes the conditions of the slaves in his community of Essaka, and points out the difference between the treatment of slaves under the Igbo in Essaka, and those in the custody of Europeans in West Indies:
…but how different was their condition from that of the slaves in the West Indies! With us, they do no more work than other members of the community,… even their master;… (except that they were not permitted to eat with those… free-born;) and there was scarce any other difference between them,… Some of these slaves have… slaves under them as their own property… for their own use.
The Niger coast acted as a contact point between African and European traders from the years 1434–1807. This contact between the Africans and Europeans began with the Portuguese, then the Dutch and finally the British. Even prior to European contact, Igbo trade routes stretched as far as Mecca, Medina and Jeddah.
Traditional Attire
Traditionally, the attire of the Igbo generally consisted of little clothing as the purpose of clothing originally was to conceal private parts, although elders were fully clothed. Children were usually nude from birth till their adolescence but sometimes ornaments such as beads were worn around the waist for spiritual reasons. Body art was used to decorate both men and women in the form of lines forming patterns and shapes on the body.
Women traditionally carry their babies on their backs with a strip of clothing binding the two with a knot at her chest, a practice used by many ethnic groups across Africa. Maidens usually wore a short wrapper with beads around their waist and other ornaments such as necklaces and beads. Both men and women wore wrappers.
In Olaudah Equiano's narrative, Equiano describes fragrances that were used by the Igbo in the community of Essaka;
“Our principal luxury is in perfumes; one sort of these is an odoriferous wood of delicious fragrance: the other a kind of earth; a small portion of which thrown into the fire diffuses a most powerful odor. We beat this wood into powder, and mix it with palm oil; with which both men and women perfume themselves.”
Modern Igbo traditional attire, for men, is generally made up of the Isiagu top which resembles the Dashiki worn by other African groups. Isiagu (or Ishi agu) is usually patterned with lions heads embroidered over the clothing and can be a plain color. It is worn with trousers and can be worn with either a traditional title holders hat or with the traditional Igbo striped men's hat known as Okpu Agwu. For women, a puffed sleeve blouse (influenced by European attire) along with two wrappers and a head tie are worn.
Language
Igbo (Igbo: Asụsụ Igbo), or Igbo proper, is a native language of the Igbo people. There are approximately 20 million speakers that are mostly in Nigeria and are primarily of Igbo descent. Igbo is a national language of Nigeria. It is written in the Latin script, which was introduced by British colonialists. Secret societies such as the Ekpe use the Nsibidi symbols which were invented by the Ejagham and were used to represent other languages like Efik. There are over 20 Igbo dialects. A standard literary language was developed in 1972 based on the Owerri (Isuama) and Umuahia (such as Ohuhu) dialects, though it omits the nasalization and aspiration of those varieties.
Igbo Fest
Each year on the last Saturday in July, Warren Park in Chicago, Illinois transforms into an authentic traditional Igbo village. Its IGBOFEST weekend! Thousands from around the world come together to celebrate Igbo arts, culture, heritage, cuisine, and community. IGBOFEST features spectacular traditional cuisine and live entertainment including Atilogwu, Ojionu, Agaba, Odogwu, and Adamma masquerades, men and women’s dance troupes, plenty of fun activities for children, and the legendary Igbo War Dance as the annual grand finale.
IGBOFEST also offers on-sight wellness workshops, a book pavilion, a marketplace with traditional and contemporary exhibitors selling fine fabrics, jewelry and artwork.
As one of the largest African festivals in the United States, IGBOFEST brings communities of all cultural backgrounds together to experience authentic Igbo culture. It’s the climax of summertime Chicago, and an event you definitely won’t want to miss! See you there!
WOULD LIKE TO BE A VENDOR? Send an email to umuigboalliance@gmail.com
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Traditional Women’s Dance
The elegance and allure of traditional Igbo women’s dance has found its home away from home in Chicago, Illinois. The UIA traditional women’s dance group has been the crown jewel of Chicago since 2006. These beautiful ladies have come together as the next generation of dancers, with the goal of celebrating and preserving Igbo culture through authentic dance. To date, the women’s group has performed for enormous audiences at events including weddings, cultural shows, fashion shows, and cultural festivals. Enormous audiences gather to watch as they elegantly display their graceful and captivating dance steps to the sound of traditional music.
All are welcome and encouraged to join whether novice or advanced! The group practices regularly in collaborative teaching and learning sessions.
UIA traditional women dancers are available to perform at any community and/or cultural events with at least 4-6 weeks advance notice.
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Traditional Masquerade Dancers
The mystique surrounding the masquerade is one of the key components of the Igbo culture that survived Western influences. Masquerades are classified into categories based on specialization. Each masquerade possesses particular attributes (warrior-like prowess, mystical powers, youthfulness, and old age) and specializes in one or more skills (dancing skills, acrobatics, and other ritual manifestations).
Masquerading may involve one person team or a team made up of instrument players, vocalists, dancers, masquerade advisers, and the masquerade itself. Most masquerades are covered from head to toe with some piece of clothing or/and bamboo rafters. Finally, a wooden mask is worn over the face. The mask will vary depending on the type of masquerade and the place of origin within the Igboland. The masquerade appears during traditional celebrations (funerals) and festivals (new yam festival).
The UIA masquerade troupe performs regularly during traditional celebrations, community events, and holidays. All are welcome and encouraged to join the UIA masquerade troupe whether novice or advanced! The group practices regularly in collaborative teaching and learning sessions.
join hereUIA Traditional Masquerade Dancers are available to perform at any community and/or cultural events with at least 4-6 weeks advance notice.
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MEN'S MASQUERADE PHOTO GALLERY
War Dance
The setting is the center of the Igbo village square. The village has been victorious in battle and they declare celebration. The warriors leading with the spoils of victory return from the battle field as heroes. In the days of slave trade and inter- tribal war, this dance was performed to boost the morale of the warriors at the end of any victorious outing. It was also performed to entertain and honor brave warriors for bringing pride to their community.
This masquerade is unique since it’s not covered with costumes and mask as others. The lead warrior holds a piece of palm tree leaf in his mouth to prevent him from talking, thus ensuring the integrity of its mystical powers. It is believed that if he talks he will die. He represents both the dead and the living.
Valiant and powerful, this is a war dance troupe represented by two distinct symbols of war in traditional Igbo culture– the medicine man carrying the small drum filled with overflowing wine for imbibing and incantations and the lead warrior carrying the three skulls, accompanied by his troupe, symbolizing the spoils of past wars and as a warning to future foes.
The players use a combination of flat wooden clappers (mkpa mkpa) and drums to produce non-stop rhythms. The lead player leads the chanting while the players sing the chorus.
join hereUIA War Dancers are available to perform at select community and/or cultural events with at least 4-6 weeks advance notice.
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Ndi Akporo Dike: Traditional Igbo Drum Band
Traditional Igbo music is generally lively, upbeat, and spontaneous which creates a variety of sounds that enables the Igbo people to incorporate music into almost all the facets of their daily lives. These musical tools are used primarily by masquerade, dance, and musical groups in special activities like; rituals, spiritual and cultural events. The Igbo traditionally rely heavily on percussion instrument, which are popular because of their innate ability to provide a diverse array of tempo, sound, and pitch.
Ndi Akporo Dike is Chicago’s premiere traditional Igbo band made up of Igbo who are committed to celebrating culture though traditional Igbo music. Juo kwa ese! The goal is to revive the love and to water the root of our culture by sharing it with Igbos, Nigerians, and the whole world at large. To date, Ndi Akporo Dike has built an enormous fan base in Midwestern US, and has been featured in the media for bringing a welcomed cultural twist to the state of Illinois.
All are welcome and encouraged to join Ndi Akporo Dike whether novice or advanced! The group practices regularly in collaborative teaching and learning sessions.
Ndi Akporo Dike drum band is availabe to perform at any community and/or cultural event with at least 4-6 weeks advance notice.
book now
Videos
Kitchen Night
Food is only one aspect of Igbo cultural traditions, yet it is probably one of the most persistent. In Igbo culture food is a source of pleasure, comfort and security. In many ways, food is also symbolic of hospitality, social status, and religious significance. How food is selected, prepared, served, and consumed are all factors profoundly touched by cultural inheritance.
Each year UIA hosts several Igbo Kitchen Nights in which the community comes together, bridging generational gaps, to enjoy great music, dance, storytelling, and networking. Kitchen Night brings everyone together from various backgrounds to celebrate and preserve culture through sharing, learning, and enjoying authentic Igbo recipes and cuisine. Please see the clip below to listen in on Kitchen Night: Igba Izu (caucus) for some great history and storytelling.
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