J Kelechi Ugwuanyi
Biographic Data
| ID | 1245791 |
|---|---|
| NAME | J Kelechi Ugwuanyi |
| GIVEN NAMES | J Kelechi |
| FAMILY NAME | Ugwuanyi |
| SIGNATURE | UGWUANYI J K |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Nigeria |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-8652-059X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 10 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 18 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 10 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2018 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Nsọ Aka Heritage, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and Nature Conservation in Ishiagu, Nigeria
We examine nsọ Aka, a cultural practice among Nigeria’s Ishiagu people that sanctifies and preserves the green snake (Chlorophis). Using the concept of social-ecological memory (SEM), we analyze how this traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) has persisted in the management of the social-ecological system. We demonstrate that the practice not only protects the sacred snakes but also safeguards the sacred forest of Ala, known as the ‘Earth force’ …
Nkali and Kolo -collecting in Eastern Nigeria
This paper explores the changing narratives of Ọfϙ and Ikenga, sacred objects of sovereignty and authority among the Igbo of Eastern Nigeria, which were collected by colonial anthropologists and are held in the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA), University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. This paper examines the meaning of these objects within the Igbo knowledge system and how these meanings were lost or transformed during their collectio…
Coloniality and Decoloniality of Heritage Institutions in West Africa
Every institution has a mandate, and every mandate has a purpose. For a heritage institution, the mandate is to ‘manage’ heritage. In the case of the nations created in Africa by the imperial powers, the purpose is to legitimise the modern states by establishing a national narrative and identity to help colonial and post-independent African leaders maintain relations established by the colony. This chapter draws from the decolonial analytical too…
Our gods are as powerful as the God of Abraham
This study investigates the resurgence of ézèńwànyì (defined broadly as traditional female healer/diviner/priestess) in the patriarchal Ìgbò society of Nigeria. We employ ethnographic methods of observation and interview to study two communities in Ǹsúkká-Ìgbò, Southeastern Nigeria. The study finds that there has been a continuing increase in the number of ézèńwànyì, those who make use of their services and a general expansion of the practices of…
Íhé Ńkètá and Òkè
Purpose This study explored an alternative understanding of heritage through the lens of the Igbo cultural group in Nigeria. It used the Igbo concept of “ Ihe Nketa ” or “ Oke ” to examine the complex relationship between indigeneity, attachment and sustainability in the context of heritage management and conservation. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was used, and ethnographic methods of data collection that include interviews …
Heritage Ontologies in Nigeria
This paper examines the principles of cultural heritage conservation in pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial Nigeria. It uncovers how cultural heritage is used and cared for in pre-colonial time based on its ‘utilitarian values’ and the ways colonialism isolated and appropriated cultural heritage from utilitarian communities to create museums/secluded sites for exclusive national narrative. The article interrogates how local worldviews and t…
Time-space politics and heritagisation in Africa
This paper reflects on how heritage knowledge is built around time-space discourses. It takes a Critical Heritage Studies (CHS) position to examine heritage knowledge systems through the lenses of Walter Mignolo’s decolonial praxis on ‘locus of enunciation’ and Tim Ingold’s exegesis on ‘dwelling perspectives’. Drawing from ethnographic evidence collected among the Igbo of Nigeria, the study engages Indigenous concepts and heritage ontologies in t…
Masking and oral tradition in the re-enactment of village-based hierarchy among the acephalous Igbo of Southeastern Nigeria
Despite the generally acephalous landscape of the Igbo society of southeastern Nigeria, forms of hierarchy are noticeable, with certain criteria traditionally established to rank some villages higher than or ‘senior’ to others. This paper drew from ethnographic research in two Igbo towns to explore ways in which masks and oral tradition were deployed to advance the ranked orders of lineages and villages. Contemplating this scenario in such a plac…
Ancient village arenas remain a central force in Igbo life. Here’s why
Permanence, temporality and the rhythms of life
The village arena (or ‘square’ or ‘Otobo’ in Nsukka Igbo) is at the physical and socio-cultural centre of Igbo life, in southeast Nigeria. It is a space where intangible Igbo cultural heritage is played out, and also serves as a virtual museum where heritage materials are kept. The arena performs its roles in two very different ways: as a sacred space hosting initiation rites and religious rituals; and as a profane space for meetings and ceremoni…
Time-space politics and heritagisation in Africa
This paper reflects on how heritage knowledge is built around time-space discourses. It takes a Critical Heritage Studies (CHS) position to examine heritage knowledge systems through the lenses of Walter Mignolo’s decolonial praxis on ‘locus of enunciation’ and Tim Ingold’s exegesis on ‘dwelling perspectives’. Drawing from ethnographic evidence collected among the Igbo of Nigeria, the study engages Indigenous concepts and heritage ontologies in t…
Permanence, temporality and the rhythms of life
The village arena (or ‘square’ or ‘Otobo’ in Nsukka Igbo) is at the physical and socio-cultural centre of Igbo life, in southeast Nigeria. It is a space where intangible Igbo cultural heritage is played out, and also serves as a virtual museum where heritage materials are kept. The arena performs its roles in two very different ways: as a sacred space hosting initiation rites and religious rituals; and as a profane space for meetings and ceremoni…
Heritage Ontologies in Nigeria
This paper examines the principles of cultural heritage conservation in pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial Nigeria. It uncovers how cultural heritage is used and cared for in pre-colonial time based on its ‘utilitarian values’ and the ways colonialism isolated and appropriated cultural heritage from utilitarian communities to create museums/secluded sites for exclusive national narrative. The article interrogates how local worldviews and t…
Nkali and Kolo -collecting in Eastern Nigeria
This paper explores the changing narratives of Ọfϙ and Ikenga, sacred objects of sovereignty and authority among the Igbo of Eastern Nigeria, which were collected by colonial anthropologists and are held in the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA), University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. This paper examines the meaning of these objects within the Igbo knowledge system and how these meanings were lost or transformed during their collectio…
Our gods are as powerful as the God of Abraham
This study investigates the resurgence of ézèńwànyì (defined broadly as traditional female healer/diviner/priestess) in the patriarchal Ìgbò society of Nigeria. We employ ethnographic methods of observation and interview to study two communities in Ǹsúkká-Ìgbò, Southeastern Nigeria. The study finds that there has been a continuing increase in the number of ézèńwànyì, those who make use of their services and a general expansion of the practices of…
Ancient village arenas remain a central force in Igbo life. Here’s why
Permanence, temporality and the rhythms of life
The village arena (or ‘square’ or ‘Otobo’ in Nsukka Igbo) is at the physical and socio-cultural centre of Igbo life, in southeast Nigeria. It is a space where intangible Igbo cultural heritage is played out, and also serves as a virtual museum where heritage materials are kept. The arena performs its roles in two very different ways: as a sacred space hosting initiation rites and religious rituals; and as a profane space for meetings and ceremoni…
Masking and oral tradition in the re-enactment of village-based hierarchy among the acephalous Igbo of Southeastern Nigeria
Despite the generally acephalous landscape of the Igbo society of southeastern Nigeria, forms of hierarchy are noticeable, with certain criteria traditionally established to rank some villages higher than or ‘senior’ to others. This paper drew from ethnographic research in two Igbo towns to explore ways in which masks and oral tradition were deployed to advance the ranked orders of lineages and villages. Contemplating this scenario in such a plac…
Íhé Ńkètá and Òkè
Purpose This study explored an alternative understanding of heritage through the lens of the Igbo cultural group in Nigeria. It used the Igbo concept of “ Ihe Nketa ” or “ Oke ” to examine the complex relationship between indigeneity, attachment and sustainability in the context of heritage management and conservation. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was used, and ethnographic methods of data collection that include interviews …
Heritage Ontologies in Nigeria
This paper examines the principles of cultural heritage conservation in pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial Nigeria. It uncovers how cultural heritage is used and cared for in pre-colonial time based on its ‘utilitarian values’ and the ways colonialism isolated and appropriated cultural heritage from utilitarian communities to create museums/secluded sites for exclusive national narrative. The article interrogates how local worldviews and t…
Time-space politics and heritagisation in Africa
This paper reflects on how heritage knowledge is built around time-space discourses. It takes a Critical Heritage Studies (CHS) position to examine heritage knowledge systems through the lenses of Walter Mignolo’s decolonial praxis on ‘locus of enunciation’ and Tim Ingold’s exegesis on ‘dwelling perspectives’. Drawing from ethnographic evidence collected among the Igbo of Nigeria, the study engages Indigenous concepts and heritage ontologies in t…
Our gods are as powerful as the God of Abraham
This study investigates the resurgence of ézèńwànyì (defined broadly as traditional female healer/diviner/priestess) in the patriarchal Ìgbò society of Nigeria. We employ ethnographic methods of observation and interview to study two communities in Ǹsúkká-Ìgbò, Southeastern Nigeria. The study finds that there has been a continuing increase in the number of ézèńwànyì, those who make use of their services and a general expansion of the practices of…
Coloniality and Decoloniality of Heritage Institutions in West Africa
Every institution has a mandate, and every mandate has a purpose. For a heritage institution, the mandate is to ‘manage’ heritage. In the case of the nations created in Africa by the imperial powers, the purpose is to legitimise the modern states by establishing a national narrative and identity to help colonial and post-independent African leaders maintain relations established by the colony. This chapter draws from the decolonial analytical too…
Nkali and Kolo -collecting in Eastern Nigeria
This paper explores the changing narratives of Ọfϙ and Ikenga, sacred objects of sovereignty and authority among the Igbo of Eastern Nigeria, which were collected by colonial anthropologists and are held in the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA), University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. This paper examines the meaning of these objects within the Igbo knowledge system and how these meanings were lost or transformed during their collectio…
Nsọ Aka Heritage, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and Nature Conservation in Ishiagu, Nigeria
We examine nsọ Aka, a cultural practice among Nigeria’s Ishiagu people that sanctifies and preserves the green snake (Chlorophis). Using the concept of social-ecological memory (SEM), we analyze how this traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) has persisted in the management of the social-ecological system. We demonstrate that the practice not only protects the sacred snakes but also safeguards the sacred forest of Ala, known as the ‘Earth force’ …
Political science (8 works) · Sociology (8 works) · Anthropology (7 works) · History (7 works) · Igbo (6 works) · Law (6 works) · Philosophy (6 works) · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies (5 works) · Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation (5 works) · Aesthetics (4 works)