Obugulu mau masquerade. A close up view of the masquerader wearing a white and black painted face mask adorned with an elaborate superstructure. The top of the mask consists of pieces of cloth, ribbon, felt. tassels, carvings, and mirrors. The costume is harlequin like appliques material.

— G. I . Jones. 1930s. Igbo peoples, Nigeria.
Location: Onicha, Alaigbo | Date: 1960s | Credit: Dmochowski

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