The Igbo Tribe from Nigeria
Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 9:02 am
-Nigeria is an African country on the Gulf of Guinea in the west of Africa, which has many landmarks and wildlife reserves e.g. Cross River national park and Yankari national parks have waterfalls,thick rainforests, savanna and rare primate species.
-Most popular sites in Nigeria is the Zuma Rock which is a 725m tall standing stone outside Abuja which is on the currency.
The current president of Nigeria is Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was elected on 1st March 2023 with 8,794,726 votes and became president on 29th May 2023
The currency of Nigeria is Nigerian Naira {#}
Nigeria is a very diverse country especially among the language with over 500 indigenous languages are spoken in Nigeria especially Igbo, Yoruba, Hasua, Edo, Fula and English.
Nigeria has a great amount of natural resources, even greater in petroleum and natural gas.
The capital of Nigeria is Abuja in Federal National Territory in 1976. Its original capital was Lagos which is the country’s commercial and industrial city.
Nigeria was colonized by Britain in the mid-19th century, and took place in 1884 with the start of the Oil River Protectorate and Berlin Conference. Lagos was taken over in 1861 and the British expanded their territory. The British Northern Protectorates and Southern Nigeria were joined and Nigeria became independent on 1st October 1960 ending British colonial rule.
Nigeria is bordered to the north by Niger, to east by Chad and Cameroon, to the south to the Gulf of guinea of the Atlantic Ocean and to the west to Benin.
There are 250 ethnic groups In Nigeria. There are three major ethnic groups in the country: Hausa- Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo.
The northern side of Nigeria, Hausa is one of the most numerous groups in Nigeria which have become united with the small Fulani group who conquered Hausaland in early 19th century. The most popular religion in this tribe is Islam. The rural parts of Fulani speak the Fulani language, Fula rather than Hausa.
The Yoruba is another large and political dominant group in southwest Nigeria. They consider the city of Ile-Ife their ancestral home and god Oduduwa theirancestor. Most Yoruba are farmers but live in urban areas from their rural farmland. Each Yoruba subgroup is ruled by a chief or oba, usually supported by a council of chiefs. The ooni of Ile-Ife, spiritual leader of the Yoruba, and the alaafin of Oyo, traditional political leader, are the most powerful rulers.
The third major ethnic group, the Igbo of southeastern Nigeria, lives in small localized and elected settlements. The largest political unit is the village, which is ruled by a council of elders {chosen by merit}. A smaller proportion live in large towns and are culturally much closer to Edo than the Igbo east of lower Niger valley.
At the beginning of the 21st century, about half of the population was Muslim slightly less than Christian and a small amount followed traditional religions. A supreme god called {Olorun Olodumare in Yoruba, Chukwu in Igbo and Osalobua in Edo} is central to many traditional religions, the god is worshipped through a number of intermediaries or lesser gods. .
Muslim and Christian live and work together although there is continuing conflict between them and other religions. Three-fourths of people profess Islam in northern states which also is the dominant faith in a few southern states.
Christians make up more than three- fourths of the population in the eastern states. Main established Christian groups are Roman Catholics, Methodists, Anglicans and Baptists.
- Great Britain promoted little education during the colonial period. Until 1950, most schools were led by Christian missionary bodies, which introduced western- style education in Nigeria. The British colonial government funded a few schools . In northern Muslim areas, western-style education was not allowed as it would interfere with Islam teachings so Islam education was provided. Primary education, free and compulsory, begins at age six and lasts for six years. Secondary education consists of two three-year cycles. NIgeria has more than 400 universities and colleges.
-Hotels and nightclubs are a life in the city, especially in large cities. Movie theaters , showing mostly Indian and American films, are very popular.
Food is an important part of Nigerian life. Seafood, beef, poultry and goat are primary sources of protein.
Nigeria celebrates several holidays throughout the year, including Independence Day {October 1}, Workers Day {May 1} and various Christian and Islamic holidays.
NIgeria has a rich artistic heritage, including traditional and contemporary art forms. Nigerian artists have crafted art that is world famous.
The terra-cotta figurines of Nok are some of the earliest states in the world from sub-Saharan Africa.
Music and dance are integral to Nigerian culture and each ethnic group has its uniquities. Traditional instruments include various types of flutes,trumpets, xylophones and wooden clappers, especially drums.
Notable musicians include King Sunny Ade who performed in a style called juju that combines guitars, vocals and talking drums.
Football is a national obsession in Nigeria. The national team, Super Eagles, led by such outstanding players as Nwanko Kanu and Jay- Jay Okocha reached the World Cup finals in 1994-1998 and 2002 won gold medals in 1996 Olympics.
Igbo culture
Ekpe masks and ikenya {personal shrines} in Igboland in the eastern region in Nigeria.
Foods in Igboland are mostly soups which are ogbono soup, egusi soup, okra soup and bitterleaf soups. More unique tastes include okpa, goat meat, yam pepper soup e.t.c
Festivals celebrated in Igboland are New Yam Festival which celebrates the New harvests of yam which symbolizes conclusion of a harvest in yams and beginning of new work cycle/new year. There are also ofala and odo festival e.t.c
The Igbo language is spoken by a total of 31 million people and there are around 35 different dialects.
The capital of Igbo is Enugu as it is a significant cultural and historical center within Igboland as it was the capital of Igboland after the Republic of Biafra was dissolved.
Wrestling is a popular sport and entertainment in Igbo culture, often performed during festivals.
Igbo have large amounts of yams,taro and cassava.
Modern traditional Igbo attire are: for the men- is the Isiagu top which resembles the African Dashiki which is patterned with lion's head embroidered.
The igbo alphabet has 36 letters which is known as Abidii Igbo that includes 23 letters from Latin alphabet and 13 extra letters to cover a range of phonemes in Igbo.
The Igbos are located in the southern eastern part of Nigeria. The states in this region are Abia, Anambra, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi with parts of Delta states.
Most Igbos are Christian especially Catholic and Anglican.
Masquardes are a big part of culture in Igboland which are traditional performances with costumed dancers that represent ancestral spirits.
Marriage is also a big deal as it includes paying the bride pay to marry your bride, community involvement and traditional marriage.
The Biafra war started in 1967 and ended in 1970 when the southern eastern region attempted to leave Nigeria and become the Republic of Biafra.
Important people such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, first president of Nigeria, Chinua Achebe- renowned author of “things fall apart”, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi- Acclaimed author of Half of a Yellow sun and Americanah, Cythnia Erivo- actress and singer and “Tyler the Creator” {Tyler Gregory Okonma}- rapper and singer-songwriter.
-Most popular sites in Nigeria is the Zuma Rock which is a 725m tall standing stone outside Abuja which is on the currency.
The current president of Nigeria is Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was elected on 1st March 2023 with 8,794,726 votes and became president on 29th May 2023
The currency of Nigeria is Nigerian Naira {#}
Nigeria is a very diverse country especially among the language with over 500 indigenous languages are spoken in Nigeria especially Igbo, Yoruba, Hasua, Edo, Fula and English.
Nigeria has a great amount of natural resources, even greater in petroleum and natural gas.
The capital of Nigeria is Abuja in Federal National Territory in 1976. Its original capital was Lagos which is the country’s commercial and industrial city.
Nigeria was colonized by Britain in the mid-19th century, and took place in 1884 with the start of the Oil River Protectorate and Berlin Conference. Lagos was taken over in 1861 and the British expanded their territory. The British Northern Protectorates and Southern Nigeria were joined and Nigeria became independent on 1st October 1960 ending British colonial rule.
Nigeria is bordered to the north by Niger, to east by Chad and Cameroon, to the south to the Gulf of guinea of the Atlantic Ocean and to the west to Benin.
There are 250 ethnic groups In Nigeria. There are three major ethnic groups in the country: Hausa- Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo.
The northern side of Nigeria, Hausa is one of the most numerous groups in Nigeria which have become united with the small Fulani group who conquered Hausaland in early 19th century. The most popular religion in this tribe is Islam. The rural parts of Fulani speak the Fulani language, Fula rather than Hausa.
The Yoruba is another large and political dominant group in southwest Nigeria. They consider the city of Ile-Ife their ancestral home and god Oduduwa theirancestor. Most Yoruba are farmers but live in urban areas from their rural farmland. Each Yoruba subgroup is ruled by a chief or oba, usually supported by a council of chiefs. The ooni of Ile-Ife, spiritual leader of the Yoruba, and the alaafin of Oyo, traditional political leader, are the most powerful rulers.
The third major ethnic group, the Igbo of southeastern Nigeria, lives in small localized and elected settlements. The largest political unit is the village, which is ruled by a council of elders {chosen by merit}. A smaller proportion live in large towns and are culturally much closer to Edo than the Igbo east of lower Niger valley.
At the beginning of the 21st century, about half of the population was Muslim slightly less than Christian and a small amount followed traditional religions. A supreme god called {Olorun Olodumare in Yoruba, Chukwu in Igbo and Osalobua in Edo} is central to many traditional religions, the god is worshipped through a number of intermediaries or lesser gods. .
Muslim and Christian live and work together although there is continuing conflict between them and other religions. Three-fourths of people profess Islam in northern states which also is the dominant faith in a few southern states.
Christians make up more than three- fourths of the population in the eastern states. Main established Christian groups are Roman Catholics, Methodists, Anglicans and Baptists.
- Great Britain promoted little education during the colonial period. Until 1950, most schools were led by Christian missionary bodies, which introduced western- style education in Nigeria. The British colonial government funded a few schools . In northern Muslim areas, western-style education was not allowed as it would interfere with Islam teachings so Islam education was provided. Primary education, free and compulsory, begins at age six and lasts for six years. Secondary education consists of two three-year cycles. NIgeria has more than 400 universities and colleges.
-Hotels and nightclubs are a life in the city, especially in large cities. Movie theaters , showing mostly Indian and American films, are very popular.
Food is an important part of Nigerian life. Seafood, beef, poultry and goat are primary sources of protein.
Nigeria celebrates several holidays throughout the year, including Independence Day {October 1}, Workers Day {May 1} and various Christian and Islamic holidays.
NIgeria has a rich artistic heritage, including traditional and contemporary art forms. Nigerian artists have crafted art that is world famous.
The terra-cotta figurines of Nok are some of the earliest states in the world from sub-Saharan Africa.
Music and dance are integral to Nigerian culture and each ethnic group has its uniquities. Traditional instruments include various types of flutes,trumpets, xylophones and wooden clappers, especially drums.
Notable musicians include King Sunny Ade who performed in a style called juju that combines guitars, vocals and talking drums.
Football is a national obsession in Nigeria. The national team, Super Eagles, led by such outstanding players as Nwanko Kanu and Jay- Jay Okocha reached the World Cup finals in 1994-1998 and 2002 won gold medals in 1996 Olympics.
Igbo culture
Ekpe masks and ikenya {personal shrines} in Igboland in the eastern region in Nigeria.
Foods in Igboland are mostly soups which are ogbono soup, egusi soup, okra soup and bitterleaf soups. More unique tastes include okpa, goat meat, yam pepper soup e.t.c
Festivals celebrated in Igboland are New Yam Festival which celebrates the New harvests of yam which symbolizes conclusion of a harvest in yams and beginning of new work cycle/new year. There are also ofala and odo festival e.t.c
The Igbo language is spoken by a total of 31 million people and there are around 35 different dialects.
The capital of Igbo is Enugu as it is a significant cultural and historical center within Igboland as it was the capital of Igboland after the Republic of Biafra was dissolved.
Wrestling is a popular sport and entertainment in Igbo culture, often performed during festivals.
Igbo have large amounts of yams,taro and cassava.
Modern traditional Igbo attire are: for the men- is the Isiagu top which resembles the African Dashiki which is patterned with lion's head embroidered.
The igbo alphabet has 36 letters which is known as Abidii Igbo that includes 23 letters from Latin alphabet and 13 extra letters to cover a range of phonemes in Igbo.
The Igbos are located in the southern eastern part of Nigeria. The states in this region are Abia, Anambra, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi with parts of Delta states.
Most Igbos are Christian especially Catholic and Anglican.
Masquardes are a big part of culture in Igboland which are traditional performances with costumed dancers that represent ancestral spirits.
Marriage is also a big deal as it includes paying the bride pay to marry your bride, community involvement and traditional marriage.
The Biafra war started in 1967 and ended in 1970 when the southern eastern region attempted to leave Nigeria and become the Republic of Biafra.
Important people such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, first president of Nigeria, Chinua Achebe- renowned author of “things fall apart”, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi- Acclaimed author of Half of a Yellow sun and Americanah, Cythnia Erivo- actress and singer and “Tyler the Creator” {Tyler Gregory Okonma}- rapper and singer-songwriter.