Ogoha oha ceremony for the renewing of the Egbo protective shrine in Ezi Ume, Mgbom village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

Object Details

Local Numbers: 585/1959-1960 EEPA 2000-070779
General: Title source: Dr. Simon Ottenberg, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Archival Repository: Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art

Collection Rights: Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

Scope and Contents: This photograph was taken by Dr. Simon Ottenberg while conducting field research at Afikpo village-group, southeastern Nigeria, from September 1959 to December 1960.; Original caption reads, "Replacing and renewing the Egbo protective shrine at the entrance to Ezi Ume compound, Mgbom Village. The diviner (dibia) is Ewa Enyi from Evuma Village, an elder, with his red cap. The ceremony is called ogoha oha. It is done whenever the Egbo deteriorates. Oko Chukwu and his brother, my friend and sculptor Chukwu Okoro, as the senior men of the small compound, assist as well as others. The diviner preparing the otite oja, while Oko Chukwu is preparing the vine skeleton structure of the shrine." [Ottenberg field research notes, September 1959-December 1960, Part II].

Collection Restrictions: Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.

Other Archival Materials: Simon Ottenberg Papers are located at the National Anthropological Archives, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.