Proverbs & Riddles
Igbo Idioms & Proverbs (ilu)
An Igbo proverb, opines one of the Igbo prominent sons, Chinua Achebe, “is the palm oil with which words are eaten.” Igbo proverbs are not only central to the propagation of Igbo culture, they are in fact the foremost factor in formal and familiar speeches and in other forms of popular communication.
A good Igbo idiomatic expression, either proverb or parable, is devised to enliven and enchant. The listeners not only smile or laugh and show appreciation, they are also compelled to think. Rarely do the Igbo bother to explain proverbs, except of course to kids and social nymphets who ask. Listeners are expected to figure out proverbs for themselves, draw their own conclusions, and follow the gist of the talk
Lit: Tallness is not a yardstick to define maturity.
Exp: Maturity in Life is not determined by the physical appearance (athletic build) of an individual.
Lit: A mature eagle feather will ever remain pure.
Exp: One well trained will stand the test of time.
Lit: After the race, the miles or distance covered is calculated.
Exp: Being reflective after a difficult task.
Lit: You don’t have to stand in only one place, watching a masquerade.
Exp: There are multiple options one can employ to accomplish an objective.
Lit: Salute the deaf; if the heavens don’t hear, the earth will hear.
Exp: Let us do the correct thing, there are those who will understand.
Lit: A goat that dies in a barn was not killed by hunger.
Exp: He has the means but his undoing is laziness.
Lit: Knock a valiant man to the ground and the shouts will be tremendous.
Exp: The downfall of a famous man attracts public attention.
Lit: It is the head that disturbs the wasp that the wasp stings.
Exp: Used in warning trouble makers about serious consequences.
Lit: Tell a child to wash his body, he washes his stomach.
Exp: This is a sign of immaturity.
Lit: If a snake fails to show its venom, little kids will use it in tying firewood.
Exp: There are times when one defends ones capability.
The state has a Tropical wet and dry or savanna climate with a yearly temperature of 28.99 °C (84.18 °F) and it is -0.47% lower than Nigeria’s averages. Anambra typically receives about 212.36 millimeters (8.36 inches) of precipitation and has 243.38 rainy days (66.68% of the time) annually.
The state has been described as one of the worst places affected by the climate change in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa in 2022 according to the Climate Change Education and Action Programme, (CLEAP).
The Niger River connects Onitsha Inland Port with the ports of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, and Bururu and Warri in Delta State. Nearing completion is the Second Niger Bridge at Onitsha.[59]
Culture and tourism
Ogbunike Caves, listed by as a World Heritage Site,[61] is one of the most visited tourist sites in Anambra State. It is classified as a sandstone cave (Lateritic sandstones of Campanian-Miocene age).[62] The Owerre Ezukala caves and waterfalls are great tourist attractions in the state. Largely unexplored, the caves are said to be the largest in West Africa.
The indigenous ethnic groups in Anambra state are the (99% of the population) and a small population of people who are bilingual
Igbo Ukwu 9th century bronzes monuments
Igbo Ukwu Museum: Igbo Ukwu is an ancient town known for its astonishing metal crafts; it continues to attract tourists to see its bronze artifacts. First noticed in 1938, the bronzes were later excavated by Thurstan Shaw (an English archaeologist). They have been dated to the 9th century, and are of high value and historic relevance.
Other places of interest in the state includes:
- Ogba Waterfalls; considered to be one of the largest cave in West Africa, which will take upwards to two hours to explore. It is located in Owerre Ezeukala, that borders three other states: Abia, Enugu and Imo.
- Agulu Lake; it is very wide and lengthy with a beautiful surface area. It habitats several marine species the most famous of them being the crocodile and water turtle which on estimate, they were about three hundred. Fishing is prohibited there.
- Rojenny Tourist Village; located in Oba and has small games reserves that are populated with a variety of animals such as Baboons, Chimpanzees, Alligators etc. It also has African bar-restaurant, children’s park, Olympic size swimming pool, etc.
- Odinani Museum Nri; located in Anaocha Local Government, it houses lots of archaeological discoveries, cultural and traditional religious artifacts.
- Ikenga Virgin Forest; the only virgin forest in Nigeria as the trees have never been deforested nor its land cultivated. It is home to species of animals that have gone extinct in other parts of the country.
- The palaces of Obi of Onitsha and Eze Nri
Chinua Achebe
Chimamanda Adichie
Blessed Iwene Tansi
Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
Nnamdi Azikiwe
Pete Edochie
Kenneth Dike
Francis Cardinal Arinze
P-Square
Philip Emeagwali
Chuba Okadigbo
Alex Ekwueme
Mikel Obi
Dora Akunyili
Ebuka Obi Uchendu
Political Figures
- Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe – 3rd Governor General of Nigeria; 1st President of Nigeria; and the father of Nigerian Nationalism
- Dr. Alex Ekwueme – from Oko town; politician; architect; first Executive Vice-President of Nigeria, serving 1979–1983
- Dim Emeka Ojukwu – native of Nnewi, the leader of the secessionist Biafra Republic
- Emeka Anyaoku – first black Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and recipient of South Africa’s Order of the Companions of Oliver Reginald Tambo for his role in initiating talks between the apartheid state and the African National Congress
- Nwafor Orizu – hails from Nnewi, Nnewi South; 3rd Senate President of Nigeria and Acting President of Nigeria (1965–1966)
- Dr. Senator Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo (1941–2003) – native of Ogbunike; president of the Senate of Nigeria
- Dora Akunyili – ex-head of NAFDAC, and former Nigeria Minister of Information, won international awards for cleansing Nigeria of the scourge of fake drugs
- Chief P.N. Okeke-Ojiudu – politician and businessman and the first minister of agriculture in the Nigerian first republic.
- Chukwuemeka Ezeife – former Governor of Anambra State and Presidential Adviser on Political Matters to President
- Dr Chris Ngige- former Governor of Anambra State
- Peter Obi- Former governor of Anambra State
- Professor Humphrey Nwobu Nwosu – professor of political science; former NEC chairman; conducted the freest, fairest and most credible election so far in Nigeria
- Chief Willie Obiano – Former governor of Anambra State.
- Chinwoke Mbadinuju- Former governor of Anambra State
- Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo –economist who spearheaded Nigerian economic reform from 1999 to 2008; ex-head of the Central Bank of Nigeria
- Lieutenant-General Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor – military advisor, Assistant Secretary General Office of Military Affairs, UN Office of Peacekeeping Operations, commander of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Artillery Brigade in Liberia in 1996 and 1997
- Senator Victor Umeh – former National Chairman of APGA and the senator of the Federal Republic in the 10th senate.
- Oseloka H. Obaze (born 1955) – diplomat, politician and author
- Ukpabi Asika – political scientist and administrator from Onitsha; East Central State administrator during and after the Nigerian Civil War
- Chief Jerome Udoji – from Ozubulu; social reformer; first African to be made a District Officer by the Colonial Administration.
- Chi Onwurah – British Labour Party politician, elected at the 2010 general election as the Member of Parliament for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central, becoming the first female British MP of African origin.
- Chuka Umunna – British Labour Party Member of Parliament for Streatham constituency
- Augustine Aniebo – Retired General and Military Administrator
- Judith Amaechi – Former First Lady of Rivers State
- Ejike Obumneme Aghanya – Retired Military Officer
Authors
- Professor Chinua Achebe – native of Ogidi and best known for the classic, Things Fall Apart; first African writer whose books are standard curricula in schools and universities across the world
- Chimamanda Adichie – writer, won the Orange Prize for Fiction (2007) and a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (2008). She is one of 21st century most influential author
- Cyprian Ekwensi – MFR, writer of international repute
- Christopher Okigbo – Poet
- Teresa Meniru – writer
- Ifeoma Onyefulu – Novelist
- Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike
- Chukwuemeka Ike – writer of many books including Toads for Supper, Bottled Leopard, and Expo 77; hails from Ndikelionwu in Anambra State; was the traditional ruler Ikelionwu XI; first registrar of the West African Examination Council
- Joy Chinwe Eyisi – Author and Teacher
- Ifeoma Okoye novelist
- Okwui Enwezor – Curator and Poet
- Adaeze Atuegwu – author and disability-inclusive advocate
- Nkem Nwankwo – Novelist
- Obi Egbuna – Writer and Activist
- Chukwuemeka Ike – Writer and Monarch
- Emeka Nwabueze – Playwright and Researcher
Actors, Actresses, Film Directors, TV Hosts and Journalists
- Pete Edochie – A Veteran in the Nigerian Film Industry and a Nollywood Icon.
- Amaechi Muonagor – Nollywood actor and producer.
- Ngozi Ezeonu – Actress and Journalist.
- Bob-Manuel Udokwu – Lifetime Achievement award winner at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
- Jim Iyke – Nollywood Icon
- Chidi Mokeme – actor and ex host of the Gulder Ultimate Search Reality-show.
- Chika Ike – winner of the Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN) Award for Most Disciplined Actress.
- Chioma Chukwuka – actress and movie producer, winner of the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a leading role, winner of the Afro Hollywood award for Best actress in a lead role.
- Tony Umez – Actor
- Ebuka Obi-Uchendu – Big Brother Naija and Rubbing minds host.
- Ikechukwu Onyeka – Film Director
- Okechukwu Oku – Film Producer
- Chioma Okoye – Actress and Producer.
- Ebube Nwagbo – Actress
- Kalu Ikeagwu – Actor
- Adaora Onyechere – journalist
- Josh2Funny – Comedian
- Chika Oduah – Journalist
- Ken Erics – multi-award-winning Nollywood actor, producer, CEO of KEN ERICS Productions, writer and occasional musician.
- Frederick Leonard – Acto
- Oge Okoye – Actress
- Yul Edochie – Actor and Director
Educators, Inventors and Scientists
- Professor Kenneth Dike – pre-eminent scholar of African History and native of Awka; first indigenous vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan and founder of the National Archives
- Philip Emeagwali – winner of the 1989 Gordon Bell Prize for supercomputing
- Professor Chike Obi – mathematician famous for his work on non-differential equations; won the 1985 ICTP Prize and developed a special solution for Fermat’s last theorem;
- Professor Samuel Okoye – black Africa’s first PhD in radio astronomy; with Antony Hewish of the University of Cambridge, discovered the radio source of Crab Nebula neutron star.
- Fabian Udekwu (1928–2006) – professor of surgery and trailblazer of open heart surgery in Africa
- Pius Okigbo, CON – world-renowned economist; first economic advisor to the Federal government of Nigeria (1960–1962); first Nigerian Ambassador to the European Community; renowned for bringing to light to over $12 billion missing in oil windfall receipts from the Central Bank of Nigeria during the first Gulf War.
- Chinyere Stella Okunna – first Nigerian female professor in mass communication
- Tessy Okoli – Provost
- Kenneth Ofokansi- Professor of Pharmaceutics
- Pius Nwankwo Okeke – Professor of Physics, Astronomer and Educator
- Walter Enwezor – Agriculturalist, Professor of Soil Sciences
- Grace Chibiko Offorma – researcher
- Bennet Omalu – physician, forensic pathologist and neuropathologist who was the first to discover and publish findings on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
- John Anenechukwu Umeh – first Professor of Estate Management in Africa and Asia.
- Gordian Ezekwe – Mechanical Engineer and Inventor
- Kathleen Okafor – Professor of Property and Commercial law
- Timothy Uzochukwu Obi – Veterinary Professor
- Prof. Lazarus Ekwueme – First Nigerian Professor of Music.
- Chichi Menakaya – Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon
Musicians
- Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe – popular Nigerian highlife musician; holds the Nigerian record for the highest selling album.
- Chief Oliver De Coque – popular Nigerian highlife musician and guitarist
- P-Square – Nigerian music duo consisting of twin brothers from Ifitedunu
- Flavour – popular singer and songwriter from Umunze
- Ckay – A singer known for his international hit single “Love Nwantiti”
- Phyno (Chibuzo Nelson Azubuike) – popular Igbo rapper.
- Wilberforce Echezona – Musicologist
- Echezonachukwu Nduka – Pianist and musicologist
- Emeka Nwokedi – conductor and music director
Business Executives
- Cletus Ibeto – industrialist and businessman from Nnewi
- Godwin Maduka – doctor, businessman, philanthropist, founder of Las Vegas Pain Institute and Medical Center
- Emeka Offor – chairman of Chrome Group
- Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu – native of Nnewi; first Nigerian millionaire and first president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange
- Azikiwe Peter Onwualu – former director general and chief executive officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council.
- Allen Onyema – chairman of Air Peace
- Oscar N. Onyema – OON, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and chairman of Central Securities Clearing System.
- Omu Okwei – Merchant queen of the Niger River
- C. T. Onyekwelu – Businessman, Pioneer of Recording Industry in Nigeria
- Stella Chinyelu Okoli – Founder of Emzor pharmaceutical manufacturing company
- Mathias Ugochukwu – Industriallist
- Cosmas Maduka – Founder of Coscharis Group
- Daniel Chukwudozie – Chairman, Dozzy Group of Companies
- Lady Ada Chukwudozie – Executive director of Dozzy Oil and Gas Limited.
- Paul O – Record Executive and Event Promoter
- Obi Cubanna – Founder of Cubanna group
Artists and Illustrators
- Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy MBE – London-based artist; first black artist to paint a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II; one of the UK Women of the Year in 2002 and 2003; represented the UK at the Council of Europe; in 2009 she was made an MBE
- Professor Ben Enwonwu – native of Onitsha; first Nigerian sculptor of international repute with artwork gracing the United Nations headquarters
- Professor Uche Okeke – native of Nimo; one of the foremost Nigerian fine artists; founder of the Uli movement
- Chike Aniakor – Painter
- Obiora Udechukwu – Painter
- Uche Okeke – Painter
Beauty Pageants
- Sylvia Nduka – Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2011, Miss World 2011 Nigeria representative.
- Fiona Amuzie-Iredu – Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2010, Miss World 2010 Nigeria representative.
- Adaeze Igwe – Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2008, Miss World 2008 Nigeria representative, wife of former Nigerian football team captain Joseph Yobo.
- Lynda Chuba – Miss Africa 1987, 2nd Nigerian to represent Nigeria in Miss Universe 1987 after a 23-year absence of the country in the pageant.
- Collete Nwadike – winner of the Exquisite Face of the Universe Pageant and winner of Miss Tourism Nigeria 2014.
- Precious Chikwendu – Model
Religious Figures
Blessed Tansi
- Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi (born in Aguleri, Anambra State, 1903 – died Leicester, England, 1964) – ordained a Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria; later a Cistercian monk at Mount Saint Bernard Monastery in England; Pope John Paul II beatified him in 1998
- Cardinal Francis Arinze – once considered a potential Pope
- Peter Cardinal Okpaleke – Roman Catholic Cardinal.
- Henry Ndukuba – Primate of Church of Nigeria
- Godfrey Okoye – First Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese and
- Valerian Okeke – Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha
- Ebube Muonso – religious leader
Sports
- Mikel John Obi
- Alex Iwobi
- Daniel Akpeyi
- Chidi Okeke
- Amobi Okoye
- Victor Anichebe
- Uche Nwofor
- Caleb Ekwegwo
Monarchs
- Eze Nri
- Igwe Nnewi
- Obi of Onitsha
Gwám Gwàm Gwâm
Igbo Riddles
Igbo Riddle Gwám Gwàm Gwâm
The riddle (agwụgwa) is a very popular form of amusement for children.
Its educational value lies chiefly in that it exercises the mind in intuitive thought, teaches comparison, and encourages us to look for the inner significance of things around us.
Ans: Ukwara
Translation: Tell me the corpse that buried itself
Ans: Cough
Ans: Usu
Translation: Tell me who knew how ugly he was and started walking at night
Ans: Bat
Ans: Nsi
Translation: Tell me the child who went with you to the bush but didn’t come out with you
Ans: faeces
Ans: Akpi
Translation: Tell me the soldier who shoots his arrow without been sent
Ans: Scorpion
Ans: Aguu
Translation: Tell me who beats a child before his/her mother’s eyes
Ans: Hunger
Ans: ire
Translation: Tell me the meat put in the mouth but not eaten
Ans: tongue
Ans: aha gi
Translation: tell me what belongs to u but others use it more often than u do
Ans: your name.
Ans: Agwo
Translation: Tell me wot climbs up without hand
Ans: Snake
Predominant Igbo Culture
Igbo Riddles
Igbo Culture & Traditions
Igbo Culture & Traditions: Historical Background of Ndigbo
History and archaeological evidence discovered in Igboland which includes pottery, metal wares and prehistoric artefacts from Davidic times suggests that the Igbo people lineage can be traced back to the patriarchal Eri the fifth son of Gad; son of Jacob.
Eri is believed to have wandered and settled in the medieval West Africa as far as the 9th century (948 A.D.). The predominant influence exercised by Eri necessitated a sporadic spread to South Eastern Region of present Nigeria and the establishment of Umuleri, Aguleri and Nri kingdom (948-1911).
The Atlantic slave trade or transatlantic slave trade that took place across the Atlantic Ocean from the 16th through to the 19th centuries negated the decline of the Nri Kingdom.
The vast majority of those enslaved that were transported to the New World, many on the triangular trade route and its Middle Passage, were West Africans (Numerous Igbos ”Oru” were sold). Current estimates are that about 12 million Africans were shipped across the Atlantic, by the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Spanish, the Dutch Empire, and the United States. The sequel British colonialism of various African Kingdoms negated the amalgamation of the Igbo kingdom of Nri in the modern day Nigeria in 1914.
Present Igboland covers the geographical map of south eastern states of Nigeria namely: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo. Settlement of Igbo communities could also be found in Rivers 60%, Delta 50%; and traces of Igbo language speakers in Akwa Ibom, Byaelsa, Benue and Cross Rivers States
(Igbo: Ọmenala ndị Igbo) are the customs, practices and traditions of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria.
Iri Ji Festival or Iwaji/Ili Ji Yam Festivall: The Iri-Ji festival is celebrated at different times within the Igbo land, starting from August until October every year. Ji (or Yam) is a very important food crop in Igbo Land.
Modern Igbo traditional attire is generally made up, for men, of the Isiagu top (or Ishi agu) is usually patterned with lions heads embroidered over the clothing. It can also be plain, (usually black). It is worn with trousers and can be worn with either a traditional title holders hat (a fez named okpu agu or agwu), or with the traditional Igbo stripped men’s hat (which resembles the Bobble hat).
For women, an embodied puffed sleeve blouse (influenced by European attire) along with two wrappers (usually modern Hollandis material) and a head scarf are worn.
Asụsụ Igbo is the principal native language of the Igbo people. It is derived from a group of languages Igbo proper, Ikwerre, Ika, Izii–Ikwo–Ezza–Mgbo, Ogba, and Ukwuani-Aboh-Ndoni, commonly found in Southern parts of Nigeria. It is based a lot on pitch, vocal inflections, and context when defining the meaning of a word. A single word can have numerous meanings depending on these factors. Idioms and proverbs play an important role in the Ibo language.
Igbo art (Igbo: Ǹkà Igbo), is visual art originating from the Igbo people. The Igbo produce a wide variety of art including traditional figures, masks, artifacts and textiles, plus works in metals such as bronze. Artworks form the Igbo have been found from as early as 9th century with the bronze artifacts found at Igbo Ukwu.
Village life for the Ibo people is like many other villages in Africa, but still unique in an Ibo way. Ibos live in villages that have anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand people comprised of numerous extended families. A very interesting thing about these villages is that there is no single ruler or king that controls the population. Decisions are made by including almost everyone in the village. There are established institutions such as a council of elders (a groups based on age), a council of chiefs, womens associations, and secret societies. The Ibos simultaneously emphasize individual actions and community living.
The Ibos are profoundly religious. The ancient Igbo religion and traditions are known as Odinani. In Igbo mythology, which is part of their ancient religion, the supreme God is called Chukwu (“great spirit”); Chukwu created the world and everything in it and is associated with all things on Earth. Chukwu is a solar deity. They believe that there are three levels of divine beings: the highest level is the supreme god, or “Chukwu.” Underneath Chukwu are lesser gods, called “Umuagbara”, and under these are the “Ndi Ichie,” the spirits of dead people.
The Ibos also believe in reincarnation. And since the Ibos believe that everything in life is controlled by higher powers, there are also diviners in a village that attempt to predict the future. Each village has priests and priestesses who help in all spiritual matters, conducting ceremonies and rituals.
Today, the majority of the Igbo people are Christian, well over half of whom are Roman Catholic
Know Your Language
Click Here To Delve Into The Igbo Learning Experience
Mentorship Program
Overview
Our mentorship initiative is primarily targeted at students within the southeastern state, with the overarching aim of empowering the next generation to forge resilient career paths and embody ethical values that will, in turn, contribute to the advancement of the southern states. This comprehensive process will persist until the desired outcomes are realized.
Social Engineering Project
By engaging students in academic and social pursuits such as debates, science and art competitions, focused seminars, talk shows, and specialized training, this project endeavors to inspire a commitment to moral values while upholding the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo land.
- LOCATION: SOUTH EAST
Mentorship
Selected students from each phase will be paired with accomplished individuals in their respective career domains to receive guidance and firsthand experiential learning. Once mentors are available, students will be digitally connected to them for ongoing support
- LOCATION: SOUTH EAST
O-Originality
R -Resourceful
I -integrity
E-Excellence
N-Networking
T- Team Work
Orient serves as a safeguard for our cultural heritage, providing a space for ambitious and entrepreneurial Igbos to utilize its investment resources and political connections to pursue their life goals, expand their businesses, and advance their professional careers. With the risk of their rich cultural heritage fading away, a unified and formidable front is essential for effective participation in national politics and economic influence.
