Ozi Ikoro
banner
oziikoro.bsky.social
Ozi Ikoro
@oziikoro.bsky.social
Delve into the fascinating world of African culture and history | Follow us for stories, insights, and factual information.

Ozikoro.com
Harp, Efik peoples, Calabar, Nigeria, c. 20th century. L: 42.1 in. Zemanek-Münster.
Photo credit: Ukpuru
December 30, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Traditional Festivals and Masquerades: How They Connect to Christmas in Eastern Nigeria

In many Igbo communities of Eastern Nigeria, Christmas is not only a Christian celebration but also a season deeply connected to traditional cultural practices.
December 29, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Merry Christmas, as you return for the yuletide season keeping with the tradition of our forebearers, ka ekeresimesi mara gi mma . Asi na mgbere ha ukwu osisi , aka akpara ya. Let's keep holding on to our roots.
Video credit : igbo history tv
December 25, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Paulson Kalu: The Highlife Maestro of Igbo Music

Paulson Kalu also known by the stage name Afrikhanah or Paulson Kalu Afrikhanah, is one of the most respected figures in Nigerian highlife music, particularly within the Igbo subgenre of this popular West African form.
December 22, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Staff:

Iron rod terminating at one end in brass image of a woman suckling a child, at the other in a brass serpent; the brass partially overlaid with copper.
Production date
1912-13
Location : Obo ( modern day Kwara state)
Photo credit: British museum
December 19, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Mask:

Carved mask in form of young man. Light brown wood, painted black eyebrows, black painted hair in modern style. Eyes pierced. Suspension loop of string.
Made by: Anang (modern day Akwaibom state) in 1930.
Photo credit: British museum
December 16, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Chief Louis Mbanefo: The Jurist, Statesman, and Pillar of Igbo Intellectual History

Chief Louis Nwachukwu Mbanefo remains one of the most distinguished legal minds in Nigerian history. Known as “the first Nigerian to be appointed a High Court Judge
Read more:
ozikoro.com/chief-louis-...
December 15, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Cloth;

Garment Composed of seven broad strips hand sewn together. Weft-faced weave. Hand spun white cotton warp; white and indigo-dyed cotton weft bands. Hand sewn hems at both ends.
Made by: Ogori-Magongo (modern day kogi state) in 1950.
Photo credit: British museum
December 14, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Home grown Textile

Textile made of two panels of grass cloth sewn together, woven with stripes of varying width coloured white, black, blue, red and yellow.
Made by: Ibibio in 1887 ( modern day Cross River state
Photo credit: British museum
December 13, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Tools of war:

Frame 1:
Iron spear-head
Frame 2:
Composite spear with iron barbed head, metal ring and wooden shaft.
Production date
1905-14
Found most likely among the Ugep tribe in modern day Cross River state.
Photo credit: British museum
December 12, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Sansa
Musical instrument
Wooden sansa with cane keys.
Production date: 1905-14
Found/Acquired: ( most likely from the Efik tribe) Cross River State .
Photo credit: British museum
December 11, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Sacrificial knife:

Sacrificial knife with an iron blade, and handle of wood and skin, with cotton stuffing.
Found and acquired most likely from the Ugep tribe in modern day Cross River state.
Year :1900

Photo credit: British museum
December 10, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Native port 1:

A large group of adult males standing in rows leading from river bank, "passing up yams". Forest on opposite bank. Snapshots taken in Southern Nigeria during The Aro Punitive Expedition 1901.
Ethnicity: Efik
Photo credit: the British museum
December 10, 2025 at 9:09 AM
The Banks of cross river 2:

View of Cross River showing a settlement on the bank.
December 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
The Banks of cross river:

Southern Nigeria, view of Cross River. Shelters and small groups of adult males on near bank. Steam-boat "Jubilee" near far bank. Trees on far bank.
Taken in 1901
Photo credit: British museum
December 9, 2025 at 8:37 AM
MASK

Wooden mask with mouth open showing metal teeth; headdress made of stuffed woven fabric and back of haad covered with the same; stands on a circular cane base.
Made by: Ekoi ( modern day Cross River state)
Production date: 1908
Photo credit: British museum
December 8, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Hanging lamp

Iron hanging lamp with three-hinged hook and four spouts.
Production date: 1905-1914
Made by the Ekoi group ( modern day Cross River state)
Photo credit: British museum
December 8, 2025 at 8:58 AM
The Aro punitive expedition ;

Snapshots taken in Southern Nigeria during The Aro Punitive Expedition 1901 showing :
Picture of adult males paddling a canoe on the Cross River.
Photo credit : British museum
December 5, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Bowl

Bowl with hinged cover amde from calabashes, the cover ornamented with a trefoil pattern cut and burnt in; the hinge made of scarlet worsted cloth.
Made by: Ibibio (1887)
Modern day Cross River state
Photo credit: British museum
December 4, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Bag:

Circular bag with handle, made of glass beads sewn onto red-dyed cotton flannel. Turquoise and black beads on one side; black, yellow, red and blue beads on the other.

Production date: 1887
By: the Ibibio ethnicity ( Modern day Cross River state)
December 3, 2025 at 11:49 AM
cross-bow:

Cross-bow made of wood in two pieces; stock (a) and bow (b). Cord missing.
Made by : Edo ethnic group.
Found: 1875-1904 Northern Benin.( Modern day Edo State , Nigeria)
Photo credit: British museum
December 3, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Armlet;

lost-wax cast in copper alloy. Vertical panels of decoration form openwork lattice; three panels with representations of human figures lie prone; hands tied behind backs; two birds (vultures?)
December 2, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Ndi nne mama ?
Archbishop Charles Heerey (1890-1967) , a man commonly credited with the formation of the Catholic women's organization amongst many other catholic organization in Nigeria.
photo credit: Archdiocese of Onitsha
November 30, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Bishop Shanahan college orlu:

formed in remembrance of Bishop Shanahan, in 1949. Was central to education of the boy child in orlu division in the late colonial era and early post colonial era.
Located in Orlu, present day Imo state.
Photo credit : BSCORLU
November 30, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Bishop Joseph Shanahan:

June 6, 1871 – December 25, 1943
Known as the apostle of Nigeria, Shanahan is credited for the spread of catholicism across southern igboland.
Photo credit: Spiritanroma
November 30, 2025 at 11:36 AM