Igbo mask from Nigeria: artistic expression of a rich ethnic culture
Igbo mask - Nigeria Africa. The Igbo people are an ethnic group native to south-central and southeastern Nigeria. Geographically, the Igbo homeland is divided into two unequal sections by the Niger River - an eastern part (which is the larger of the two) and a western part. The Igbo are one of Africa's largest ethnic groups. The Igbo language is divided into numerous regional dialects, and somewhat mutually intelligible with the larger "Igboid" group. In rural Nigeria, the Igbo are mainly craftsmen, farmers and traders. The main crop is yam [Other staple crops are cassava and taro. The Igbos are also highly urbanized, with some of the largest metropolitan areas, towns and villages in Igboland. Prior to British colonial rule in the 20th century, the Igbo were a politically fragmented group, with a number of centralized chiefdoms such as Nri, Arochukwu, Agbor and Onitsha. Unaffected by the Fulani war and the spread of Islam in Nigeria in the 19th century, they became predominantly Christian under colonization. Following decolonization, the Igbo developed a strong sense of ethnic identity. During the Nigerian civil war of 1967-1970, the Igbo territories became the Republic of Biafra. Small Igbo ethnic populations can be found in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, as well as outside Africa. H. 31cm
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