Onicha portal

ONITSHA. Chief Ogbua’s house. Entrance portice seen from within.

— Zbigniew Dmochowski, Introduction to Nigerian Traditional Architecture: South Eastern Nigeria v. 3.

Location: Onicha, Alaigbo | Date: 1960s | Credit: Dmochowski

[Ichi] scarification is not a tribal mark, but a sign of status, rank, or nobility. It was taboo for persons thus marked to perform any menial task, such as to carry a load on the head; their persons were privileged and sacrosanct and they were never molested. It was also customary for the local native police, if sent to apprehend such a person, never to handcuff him.

In [ichi] scarification no attempt is made to raise keloid scars. The patient is placed supine on the ground and then, with a sharp-pointed, leaf-blade knife, strips of skin are gouged out, leaving long, raw furrows to heal. The operation is a severe test of courage and endurance and may take as long as an hour and a half to complete; it is sometimes followed by grave sepsis involving loss of sight and even of life. The victim, whether adult or child, must not wince or whimper or utter a sound.

Location: Nri, Alaigbo | Date: 1951 | Credit: M. D. W. Jeffreys

EBENEBE. Carved openwork screen.

— Zbigniew Dmochowski, Introduction to Nigerian Traditional Architecture: South Eastern Nigeria v. 3.

Location: Oka, Alaigbo | Date: 60s | Credit: Zbigniew Dmochowski

Idigo, roi des Agouléris, avant sa conversion

Idigo, king of the Agouleris, before his conversion

“…the Father pronounces his first homily and announces his intention to constitute a Mission. In response to his words, Idigo [chief of the Aguleris] bows down before his idols, exclaiming: “Oh my deities, I am grateful that you have sent me this White today. There will be happiness and peace for all. – Leave your idols, responds P. Lutz, they have nothing to do with my arrival.” (pp. 212-213)

Location: Aguleri, Alaigbo | Date: 1902 | Credit: J.B. Piolet

Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg, March 21, 1766

Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Co.), Williamsburg, March 21, 1766. COMMITTED to James City prison an Ibo Negro fellow about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, about 40 years old, has on a blue coat with metal buttons, a cotton waistcoat, a pair of buckskin breeches, has five gashes of his country mark on each cheek, and says that he was sold about 6 years ago by Col. Hunter, late of Hampton, to David Sallen, waterman. The owner may have him on proving his property, and paying charges, of WILLIAM LANE.

— William Lane

Location: Williamsburg, Virginia | Date: March 21, 1766 | Credit:

Mbari

Location: ?Unknown?, Alaigbo | Date: ?Unknown?, Before 1904 | Credit: A. A. Whitehouse

Asaba men

Location: Ahaba, Aniocha Alaigbo | Date: ?Unknown?, Before 1906 | Credit: John Parkinson

Ekele - Ekene

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