Chinwe Dumeh Nnamoko

African Waist Beads, Meaning & Uses. Waist beads are a traditional African accessory that consist of small glass beads on a string or wire worn around the waist or hips. They come in different colors and shapes and may also include decorative stones, crystals, or charms. Waist beads have been worn for centuries by women in many West African cultures. In more recent years they’ve gained popularity among women in the West. They’re also referred to as belly beads, waistline beads, or beaded waist chains. In Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and other West African countries, waist beads are a symbol of femininity, fertility, sensuality, and spiritual well-being. Today, in both Africa and the United States, women use waist beads for aesthetic and practical purposes. We’ll cover the many reasons why waist beads remain such a popular accessory for women around the globe and how you can find the beads for your body. Weight awareness Waist beads are commonly used to gauge changes in weight. Rather t...

Igbo Kwenu! Ndi Igbo are an ethnic group native to the southeastern and some part of the south central Nigeria. They are an interesting people with a culturally rich heritage and are indeed admirable. 1. Gatherings For their gatherings, the Ndi Igbo prefer a silent and quiet environment (nkolo zoro-ezo). Except when they want to show off. Some might assume that the serenity of the environment might make their gatherings dull, but this is totally not the case. The Ndi Igbo have a way of making themselves happy even amidst the silence and quietness through some philosophical type discussions, sharing drinks and basically privately relating within themselves, family members and a couple of friends. They believe in sharing happy and sad moments with families or friends. They believe in nnokorita umu nne.  2. The Women Ndi Igbo women are typically raised to be bold and somewhat comfortable with their sexuality. If an Igbo woman likes a man, it will show in no time in the way she relates...

There is no doubt that the traditional Igbo family has been grossly and variously misapprehended and misrepresented by both the colonial writers and some contemporary African writers. Yet a little study of the Igbo family reveals the rich ideals of mutual respect, dialogue, consensus, freedom, et cetera. The wrong impressions about Igbo family that have been disseminated ought to be corrected. According to the late Ugandan scholar, Okot p’. Bitek, ‘The African scholar has two clear tasks before him. First, to expose and destroy all false ideas about African peoples and culture that have been perpetuated by Western scholarship. Second, to present the institutions of African peoples as they really are.’ Ndi Igbo as a people has diverse backgrounds. Beautiful people with hospitable hearts. There level of hospitality and adaptability is unique. Hence they can live and multiply anywhere even in isolation. Before the precolonial era down to the late 90s, a true Igbo man is a polygamo...

Did you know that masquerades don't just dance in Igbo Land for the sake of entertainment? In as much as they entertain us, it's not the basic reason for their appearance.  There is more to it.  There is always a spiritual bend to every major dancing masquerades in Africa. No wonder some Christians see it as evil and diabolic. It has something to do with fertility blessings in women. I bet your father didn't tell you that.  If as a woman you are experiencing difficulty in conception, especially after been certified by the doctors that you are in fact okay and yet nothing is happening. Keep a date with the next outing of Adamma Masquerade. Allow the spirit of that masquerade to connect with yours, go back to your man and experience something mightier than loosing and binding.  Remember That in Igbo Land before the advent of Christianity, our fore bearers dealt well with the issues of conception.