Who Are The Igbo People?

Marks and figurines of the Igbo people is a lofty course of study if you want to identify the uniqueness of this distinct set of tribe whose origin is traced back to the tropical rainforest of a country in Western Africa. But the purpose of this task is to give a brief summary of who these people are over time.

Who are They and Where Can They be Found?

Igbo (or Ibo - forest dwellers) as an ethnic identity is a relatively recent development as most distant or arm-chair researchers concludes. This assertion holds sway within that circuit based on the premise that from historical deduction, Igbo-speaking societies in their various forms, shows how decentralized and fragmented they hitherto are. Some experts believe that Igbo identity lies between "tribe" and "country". Since the defeat of the Republic of Biafra in the 1970 struggle for independence, the Igbo have sometimes been referred to as a "nation without a state". 

Population statistics avails that about thirty (30) million Igbo natives live in the southeastern divide of Nigeria which is the territory known today as Igboland.

Struggles and Survival 

In 1967, after a coup d'etat in Nigeria and the military coming to power, an independent Republic of Biafra was proclaimed in the eastern part of Nigeria. The leader of the separatists was Nigerian Army General, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

The Republic of Biafra was defeated in 1970 after three years of war by the Federal Government of Nigeria with military support from Great Britain (strategy and ammunition), the Soviet Union (ammunition), the United Arab Emirates, and other countries. The consequences of the Nigerian Civil War were starvation among the Biafran civilian population and a humanitarian catastrophe in the region. Though this conflict was finally pinned as a war of genocide by most scholars, the Igbo people managed to survive after surrendering in February, 1970.

Beliefs and Religion

As a result of the active efforts of European missionaries, the Igbo formally became Christians, but pagan practices are still used in their societies.

Chukwu is the supreme god of the Igbo religion. In the Igbo pantheon, Chukwu is the source of all other Igbo gods and is responsible for assigning them their various tasks. The Igbo hold the belief that all things originate from Chukwu, who is responsible for generating the rains essential for plant growth and governs all aspects of the earthly and spiritual realms. They regard Chukwu as possessing infinite power, being beyond definition, and as the ultimate deity, embodying all that exists in both space and the cosmos.

Linguistic studies suggest that the term "Chukwu" or "Chi-ukwu" is derived from the Igbo words "Chi" (which means "spiritual being") and "Ukwu" (translating to "large in size").

It is believed that the universe is segmented into four intricate components: creation, referred to as Okike; supernatural entities or deities, known as Alusi; Mmuo, representing spirits; and Uwa - the world. 

Every person is born with a spiritual guide (guardian angel) or guardian, a "Chi", unique to each person, and a person's destiny is determined by their "Chi". Thus, the Igbo say that brothers and sisters may come from the same mother, but no two people have the same "Chi".

The Igbo Traditionally Believe in Reincarnation

After death, the body of a prominent member of society is placed on a stool in a sitting position and dressed in the finest clothes. There are different types of burial ceremonies which is as a result of the differences in types of deaths. This is determined by the person's age, sex, and status in society. For example, children are hidden in a shelter and out of sight; their burials usually take place in the early mornings and late at night. A singe, uninhabited person is buried in front of his house, and a single mother is buried in her place of origin: in the garden or on the farm belonging to her father.

The masks and sculptures of the Igbo people have a distinct style and are easily recognizable.

Sources: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chukwu

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_people