Category: Onitsha Culture

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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 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