#onicha

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An Igbo compound entrance, in or near Önïcha. Photographed by Herbert Wimberley, c. 1903-18. Cambridge University Library.

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A photo of a woman taken around the Niger River, likely Ahaba (or Asaba) or Onicha (Onitsha) [partially cropped]. Photographed by Henry Crosse with the Royal Niger Company, c.1886–1895. MAA Cambridge.

[Probably onye Ọ̀nị̀chà.]

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Obi Onitsha Okosi I, the first Christian Obi of Onitsha, who became Obi of Onitsha through British colonial and Roman Catholic intervention after the death of Obi Anazonwu in 1899, poses with European-style ‘royal’ regalia (which he later dropped for more ‘traditional’ regalia for further legitimisation), with images of George V and Mary of Teck held behind him, c. 1913. via Richard Henderson. A Mighty Tree.

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House building in Onitsha, c. 1930.

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Onicha (Onitsha) waterside, north-central Igbo area, c. 1880s.

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People of Onitsha shot by Robert Mcwhirter, 1905-11.

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A chattel slave market in Onicha (Onitsha), north-central Igbo area, in present day Nigeria, taken and noted by G. F. Packer and William Allan, c. 1880s. The continual holding and selling of slaves was one of the reasons used by Britain in the late 19th century for invading some communities in present day Nigeria; some European missionaries in the late 19th century actively redeemed slaves usually by buying them. The practice of slavery had risen sharply in the 18th century due to the influence of Europeans, mostly British, at the distant coastal states and the rise of the Aro Confederacy in the Cross River area. 

Slavery in the Igbo area in any capacity in general continued until the defeat of the Aro in 1902. The Igbo term igba ohu referred to the practice of buying enslaved people who were usually bought from outside the community and from other slave traders; they were made up of war captives, debtors, and exiles. In rarer cases, some enslaved people were also used as retainer sacrifices where they would be buried with prominent leaders of the community. There were some communities such as Agukwu Nri where slavery had already been outlawed for hundreds of years.

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Women of the Otu Odu honorary title of Onicha (Onitsha), Nigeria who wear elephant ivory armlets and anklets as part of the title. Otu Odu titles are exclusive and are mainly taken by wealthy women from or married into Onicha. Photos: inlandtown.com [+]