The Igbo people are found in southeastern Nigeria and have many interesting customs and traditions.

With a population of over 50 million throughout Nigeria, they are one of the biggest and most influential tribes. Igbos are well-known for their entrepreneurial endeavours, both within Nigeria and around the world.

Here’s everything you need to know.

History: The Igbo people are descended from Eri, a divine figure who, according to Igbo folklore, was sent from heaven to begin civilization.

Another account presents Eri as one of the sons of Gad (as mentioned in the book of Genesis in the Bible) who travelled down to establish the present-day Igboland.

The Igbos live in most or all parts of five states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, as well as minor parts of Delta, Rivers and Benue states.

Small Igbo communities are also found in parts of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

As a result of the transatlantic slave trade, Igbos have migrated to other countries including Jamaica, Cuba, Barbados, Belize, the United States among others.

Elements of Igbo culture have been found in Jamaican patois – for example the Igbo word ‘unu’ which means ‘you’ is still used, while ‘red Ibo‘ or ‘red eboe‘ describes a black person with fairer skin (a lighter skin tone is common among Igbos).

Culture and traditions: The Igbo political system differs significantly from most of its West African neighbours.

With exception of a few major Igbo communities which have an Obi (king), Igbos have a traditional republican system of government, which is a consultative assembly of people, which guarantees equality to citizens.

This system is a departure from the usual form of government with a king ruling over the subjects. Even though there are titleholders who are respected by their achievements, they are never revered as kings.

Cuisine: The Igbo people’s most important crop is the yam, and it is the reason for the New Yam Festival (Iri Ji) celebrating the harvest of new yams.

The yam is also a significant part of a traditional diet and is prepared as pounded yam, eaten with different soups or eaten immediately after being boiled.

Igbos are well known for their variety of soups, made from locally grown vegetables, fruits, and seeds. The most popular Igbo soups are oha, nsala, akwu, okazi and ofe owerri.

Marriage: In Igbo culture, marriage is contracted by the man asking for the woman’s hand from her father, which is the first stage called ‘iku aka‘ (‘to knock on the door’).

The second stage and second visit of the groom and his family members to the woman’s family will involve the presence of her extended family, where they must also give their consent.

The groom will pay a third visit to pay the bride price and collect from his future in-laws the list of items he will bring to the woman’s family for the wedding.

The fourth and final stage is the wedding itself, called ‘igba nkwu‘ or ‘wine carrying’ where the bride will come out to look for her groom (who will hide in the crowd) and offer him a cup of palm wine.

The couple is then blessed by the family and well wishers, and celebrations begin.