Who Are the Igbo People?

Where do the Igbo people live?

The Igbo people's main homeland is in southeastern Nigeria, in West Africa. The name refers to an ethnic group, rather than a country or everyone who lives in Nigeria. Understanding Igbo culture also means allowing for differences between communities and regions.^[1][4]

Nigeria is home to many ethnic groups and languages. Being Nigerian and being Igbo describe different aspects of a person's identity.

What is the Igbo language?

Igbo is generally described within the Niger–Congo grouping; Glottolog classifies it in the Atlantic–Congo family. It is not a language isolate.^[9]

One distinctive feature is tone: differences in voice pitch can change a word's meaning. Modern Igbo uses a Latin-based alphabet, including letters with dots below them, such as ị, ọ and ụ. Learning the written letters and listening to speech are both useful starting points.^[1][2]

A few Igbo greetings and expressions

Greetings depend on region, relationships and circumstances. A short Igbo expression does not always have one fixed English equivalent; the context matters.^[3]

Explore greeting examples in Harvard ELIAS →

Igbo festivals and visual arts

The New Yam Festival: welcoming a harvest

Yams offer one way into understanding Igbo food culture and celebrations. The New Yam Festival welcomes a new harvest and is known by names including Iri ji and Iwa ji. Dates and practices vary between communities, with celebrations that may include music, dance and other performances.^[7]

Uli: art on bodies and walls

Uli is a tradition of body and wall decoration in Igbo-speaking areas of southeastern Nigeria, practised predominantly by women. Artists have used it in different local settings, including festivals and weddings. Its lines and forms have also inspired contemporary artists associated with the Nsukka school.^[4]

Nsibidi: graphic communication across languages

Nsibidi is a system of graphic communication originating among the Ejagham peoples of the Cross River region, spanning southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon. Neighbouring Ibibio, Efik and Igbo peoples have also used it. It does not correspond to one spoken language and is distinct from the modern Igbo alphabet.^[5]

Masquerades: more than a mask

Igbo masquerade traditions bring together masks, clothing, music, movement and community occasions. For example, the Met documents harvest-related masquerade performances in Afikpo-Igbo communities. Different communities have their own traditions, so one mask or performance should not stand for all Igbo people.^[6]

The Biafran War and its legacy

In 1967, the Republic of Biafra declared independence in eastern Nigeria. The Nigerian Civil War, also called the Biafran War, continued until 1970. Fighting and famine caused immense suffering among civilians.^[8][10]

This history provides important context alongside Igbo language, festivals and art. The experiences of people affected by the war should be understood within the wider history of Nigeria and the region.

Questions about the Igbo people

Follow your curiosity

Start with a few expressions, explore the visual summary, or continue to another article.

Article updated: 26 October 2026

Overview

The Igbo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa, primarily residing in southeastern Nigeria.
Their population exceeds 30 million, and they are known for their vibrant culture, communal spirit, traditions, festivals, and achievements in agriculture, commerce, crafts, and academia.
The Igbo briefly declared independence as the “Republic of Biafra” in the late 1960s.

The Igbo people are one of the major ethnic groups of West Africa and primarily live in southeastern Nigeria. They are mainly found in regions such as:

• Anambra State
• Imo State
• Abia State
• Enugu State
• Ebonyi State

and surrounding areas.
The Igbo are widely recognized as one of Nigeria’s three largest ethnic groups, alongside the Yoruba and Hausa peoples.
Their language is:

Igbo

which belongs to the Niger-Congo language family.
The Igbo language includes multiple regional dialects, while Standard Igbo is used in education, media, and public communication.
Historically, the Igbo developed numerous village-based communities throughout southeastern Nigeria.
Unlike some other regions of Africa that were dominated by large centralized kingdoms, many traditional Igbo societies were organized through relatively decentralized systems of local self-governance.
However, certain historical political entities did exist, including:

The Kingdom of Nri

which played an important role in the cultural and spiritual history of the region.
Family and kinship networks have traditionally been central to Igbo society.
Agriculture has long been an important foundation of Igbo life, with crops such as:

• Yam
• Cassava
• Cocoyam

being widely cultivated.
Among these, yam holds particular cultural significance.
One of the best-known traditional celebrations is:

The New Yam Festival

which marks the harvest season and remains an important cultural event in many Igbo communities.
In terms of religion, traditional Igbo beliefs historically included ancestor veneration and spiritual practices connected to various deities and forces of nature.
Today, Christianity is the dominant religion among the Igbo, although traditional beliefs and rituals continue to be maintained in some communities.
Igbo culture is also known for its rich artistic and ceremonial traditions.
Various festivals feature:

• Masquerade performances
• Music
• Drumming
• Dance

which continue to play important roles in cultural expression and community life.
During the modern era, many Igbo people became active in education, commerce, and entrepreneurship, contributing significantly to economic development both within Nigeria and beyond.
In the late 20th century, political tensions following Nigerian independence led to:

The Biafran War (1967–1970)

This conflict had a profound impact on Igbo society and remains one of the most significant events in modern Igbo history.
Today, Igbo communities can be found not only throughout Nigeria but also across Africa, Europe, North America, and other parts of the world.
Efforts related to:

• Language preservation
• Cultural heritage
• Education
• Economic development

continue to be important within many Igbo communities.
Today, the Igbo are recognized as one of the major ethnic groups of Nigeria, and their language, community traditions, festivals, music, and history continue to represent an important part of the cultural diversity of West Africa.

Location

Region

• Continent: Africa
• Region: Southeastern Nigeria (Enugu, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi states)
• Diaspora: Smaller Igbo communities exist in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and worldwide (especially the US and UK).

Igbo Flag and Symbols

Uli Patterns

Key Symbols

Traditional body and wall art, often created by Igbo women, symbolizing nature, life, and harmony.

Igbo Masks (Mgbedike)

Unique masks used in festivals and ceremonies, embodying spirits and ancestors.

Language

• Name： Igbo
• Language Family： Niger–Congo > Atlantic–Congo > Benue–Congo
• Speakers： Over 30 million (mainly Nigeria)
• Grammar： SVO (Subject–Verb–Object), tonal language (meaning changes with tone), uses various affixes and tenses.

Writing System

• Script：Latin alphabet (modern standard for writing Igbo)
• Traditional script：Nsibidi, a pictographic system, also influenced Igbo culture, though not used for modern writing.

・Script:：Latin alphabet (modern standard for writing Igbo)
・Traditional script：Nsibidi, a pictographic system, also influenced Igbo culture, though not used for modern writing.

▶Igbo Alphabet
@sekainomoji_bot

Common Igbo Greetings and Phrases

Note

“Ndewo” is a universal greeting. “Jisie ike” also means “good luck” or “take care.”

Language Origin & Historical Background

• Igbo is an ancient language of West Africa, believed to have been spoken for thousands of years.
• It was standardized during British colonial rule, but many dialects remain.
• The Igbo worldview features “Chi”—a personal spirit or destiny—and a rich oral tradition.

Access Guide

The currency of the Igbo people is the Naira (NGN).

0.0005 EUR / 0.0006 USD / 0.096 JPY / 0.004 CNY / 0.0009 AUD / 0.0008 SGD / 0.0051 HKD / 0.0004 GBP / 0.05 INR
https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
Example routes to the Igbo People (Nigeria)

Traditional Games

For Children

Okwe

A traditional board game using stones or shells, related to the “Mancala” family common across Africa.

Ube

A seed/fruit game similar to marbles or jacks.

For Adults

Iko Ogu

Village wrestling matches, testing strength and courage.

Masquerade Dance

Dancers wearing masks perform to traditional music at festivals and rituals.

Introduction video

Summary

• The Igbo are a major ethnic group in Nigeria, numbering over 30 million.
• Uli patterns and masks are cultural symbols.
• Igbo is a tonal Niger–Congo language with many unique expressions.
• Rich in traditional games like Okwe, wrestling, and masquerade dancing.

Sources and further reading

This introduction draws on language-learning materials, museum interpretation and research. The numbered links in the article point to the sources below.

1. Harvard ELIAS: The Igbos and Their Language
2. Harvard ELIAS: Igbo Sounds and Tones
3. Harvard ELIAS: Greetings and Responses
4. Smithsonian National Museum of African Art: Uli artist Agbaejije Anunobi
5. Smithsonian National Museum of African Art: Inscribing Meaning — Nsibidi
6. The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Afikpo-Igbo artist, Igri or okonkpo face mask
7. University of Nigeria: IJATE, Vol. 11 No. 2 (2020), Traditional Festival as a Catalyst for Social Cohesion: The Igbo Perspective
8. ICRC: ICRC archives to be opened, 1966–1975
9. Glottolog: Igbo (ISO 639-3: ibo)
10. ICRC: People on War — Nigeria (2000)