#onicha

An Igbo compound entrance, in or near Önïcha. Photographed by Herbert Wimberley, c. 1903-18. Cambridge University Library.

[Probably onye Ọ̀nị̀chà.]

Obi Onitsha Okosi I, the first Christian Obi of Onitsha, who became Obi of Onitsha through British colonial and Roman Catholic intervention after the death of Obi Anazonwu in 1899, poses with European-style ‘royal’ regalia (which he later dropped for more ‘traditional’ regalia for further legitimisation), with images of George V and Mary of Teck held behind him, c. 1913. via Richard Henderson. A Mighty Tree.

House building in Onitsha, c. 1930.

Onicha (Onitsha) waterside, north-central Igbo area, c. 1880s.

People of Onitsha shot by Robert Mcwhirter, 1905-11.

Slavery in the Igbo area in any capacity in general continued until the defeat of the Aro in 1902. The Igbo term igba ohu referred to the practice of buying enslaved people who were usually bought from outside the community and from other slave traders; they were made up of war captives, debtors, and exiles. In rarer cases, some enslaved people were also used as retainer sacrifices where they would be buried with prominent leaders of the community. There were some communities such as Agukwu Nri where slavery had already been outlawed for hundreds of years.

Women of the Otu Odu honorary title of Onicha (Onitsha), Nigeria who wear elephant ivory armlets and anklets as part of the title. Otu Odu titles are exclusive and are mainly taken by wealthy women from or married into Onicha. Photos: inlandtown.com [+]