The primary purpose of this website is to provide accurate and authentic information about Onitsha.
This ceremony which ushers the baby into the world is performed shortly after a woman is delivered of her baby. In olden times, when women were delivered of their babies at the back of their huts, it was performed before…
This is specifically meant for the male members of the society. Between the age of seven and nine, a male child is expected to be initiated into the masquerade cult during the New Yam Festival. Different quarters of the town…
In ancient times, child marriage was practiced. Girls were betrothed to suitors at the infant ages or even at birth. This has become obsolete. In modern times, marriage is between a mature male and female member of the community. Marriage…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] In the olden days, when it was almost impossible to keep record of people’s ages, the age grades served as a means of keeping records of the ages of inhabitants of the town. The age grade is a cultural…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Given its importance in traditional Onitsha society, most Onitsha men desire to take the title. It not only elevates one to a high social position, but also bestows on one the right to officiate as traditional priests on family shrines.…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Ndichie title is a political title which is considered higher than the Ozo title. The Ndichie are of three grades: the Ume, Okwa and Okwa Ara Eze. The titles in these categories are held by one person at a…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Odu title is exclusive to women of the town. Daughters of the town can take the title. Those that are not from the town but are married to men of the town can also take the title. Acquisition…
The burial ceremony is a very important ceremony in Onitsha. Giving a dead person a befitting burial is a duty of the living members of the deceased family. That is the reason the ceremony is done in a grand style.…
The kingship institution as described by Richard Henderson in his seminal work on Onitsha: The King in Every Man, is a fusion of Onitsha values. In this regard, the Obi of Onitsha, is considered the father of the clans, a…