Obi
a large living compound of the head of the family
Chi
in Igbo religion, a chi is one’s personal spirit or god who determines one’s fate.
Ikenga
a powerful shrine figure, usually depicted with horns, specific to Igbo culture and representing the power of the right hand (which pertains to individual achievement and success in action). A man keeps an Ikenga in a sanctuary in his home, where he makes periodic sacrifices to it.
Ikolo
a large ceremonial drum beaten on important occasions
Okposi
a figure used to venerate the spirit of dead ancestors
Ofo
a sacred symbolic staff possessed by important Igbo men
Alusi
the generic name for the deities in the Igbo pantheon
palm wine
an alcoholic beverage consisting of fermented palm sap
ani-mmo
the Igbo realm of the dead
kolanut
caffeine-containing fruit of the kola tree. In Igbo tradition, the kolanut is broken and shared with visiting guests as a symbol of hospitality
foofoo
a staple dish made from pounded, boiled starchy vegetables such as cassava, yam, or plantain
ilo
the “playground” in each village where dances and ceremonies take place
ogene
a musical instrument important in Igboland consisting of a large iron bell hit with a small wooden stick
nza
a very small bird
nno
welcome
jigida
a strand of waist beads
cocoyam
a starchy root vegetable also known as taro
ndichie
elders
ekwe
a type of drum made from wood
snuff
a smokeless tobacco inhaled into the nasal cavities
