Igbo Anklets
Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2025 12:52 pm
In "the old days", women of the Igbo (AKA Ibo) people of Nigeria wore among the most extreme "anklets" (sometimes coming above the knee) I've seen.
There were a number of different styles. I don't know if they varied by region, or by time period.
These are the only two photos I could find of the brass "disc" style being worn:
Caption:
"An Igbo woman wearing ankle plates, Nigeria, West Africa, (1922). Source: Heritage-Images
According to G T Basden's book, in Nleggi village, no woman is happy except she's a proud owner of the "Awbwa" anklet, which ranges from 9 to 15 inches. The women walk with their legs wide apart so that one leg does not hit and cut the other. This walking make the legs like semi circle, the closest that came to my mind was like rickets or bow legged walking. Its also permanent ornament so bandages are worn at the ankles to prevents sores and once worn, they don't walk, lie and sit normally and are only removed at the blacksmiths..."
The symbols inscribed on them were astronomical in nature:
Brass or bronze "coil" style:
Three Igbo brides in 1921, from G.T Basden's "Among the Ibos"
I guess the coils flexed just enough at the knee for her to walk??
Caption:
"Onitsha, c.1910
The Anklets and bracelet were normally produced and fixed by Oka(Awka) blacksmithers who were skilled in the profession. Other Ibo(Igbo) communities were also well acquainted with the profession ."
These are made of Ivory (I have no idea how they were put on):
Caption:
"Wealthy Igbo women with ivory anklets, Onitsha, 1940"
More photos of their jewellery, amazing hair styles, etc. can be found here: https://www.nairaland.com/6624267/how-i ... en-days/25 (multi-page thread, may be more photos on other pages?).
And: https://ukpuru.tumblr.com/archive
There were a number of different styles. I don't know if they varied by region, or by time period.
These are the only two photos I could find of the brass "disc" style being worn:
Caption:
"An Igbo woman wearing ankle plates, Nigeria, West Africa, (1922). Source: Heritage-Images
According to G T Basden's book, in Nleggi village, no woman is happy except she's a proud owner of the "Awbwa" anklet, which ranges from 9 to 15 inches. The women walk with their legs wide apart so that one leg does not hit and cut the other. This walking make the legs like semi circle, the closest that came to my mind was like rickets or bow legged walking. Its also permanent ornament so bandages are worn at the ankles to prevents sores and once worn, they don't walk, lie and sit normally and are only removed at the blacksmiths..."
The symbols inscribed on them were astronomical in nature:
Brass or bronze "coil" style:
Three Igbo brides in 1921, from G.T Basden's "Among the Ibos"
I guess the coils flexed just enough at the knee for her to walk??
Caption:
"Onitsha, c.1910
The Anklets and bracelet were normally produced and fixed by Oka(Awka) blacksmithers who were skilled in the profession. Other Ibo(Igbo) communities were also well acquainted with the profession ."
These are made of Ivory (I have no idea how they were put on):
Caption:
"Wealthy Igbo women with ivory anklets, Onitsha, 1940"
More photos of their jewellery, amazing hair styles, etc. can be found here: https://www.nairaland.com/6624267/how-i ... en-days/25 (multi-page thread, may be more photos on other pages?).
And: https://ukpuru.tumblr.com/archive