Displays 9th-century bronze artifacts of the Igbo-Ukwu people that demonstrate they were the first highly sophisticated bronze metal-working culture of West Africa and had trade networks with groups as far away as the Nile Valley.
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The Zik Mausoleum is a memorial complex in Onitsha dedicated to Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria's first president. It contains Azikiwe's tomb and forms part of a larger complex with a museum, library, archives, research facilities and conference halls. The complex was completed in 2018 and officially commissioned in January 2019. The mausoleum is located at Inosi-Onira, an area associated with Azikiwe's residence in Onitsha.
Palace of Obi of Onitsha
Ime Obi Ọnịcha is the official palace and traditional headquarters of the Obi of Onitsha, serving as the cultural, historical and administrative heart of the Onitsha kingdom. Historically, each of the two royal clans Okebunabo and Umuezearoli maintained their own palace (Okwu Eze) until 1984 when the current Ime Obi was established at Ezechima Square. The sacred complex includes the palace grounds (Ilo-Eze) and the public entrance (Onu-Ilo-Eze). The palace features the traditional courtyard where court sessions are held every Wednesday. The Obi and Ndichie (chiefs) preside over the court sessions and cases are being settled among grieving parties. The palace also features an art gallery, a library, conference halls and pavilion (where visitors and indigenes sit when there's an event). The throne room (also known as Iba Ofufe) is where the Obi hosts and receives visitors. In the palace ground, there could be found several busts of past kings of Onitsha.
Ofala Eze Ọnịcha
Ofala is the best known traditional festival of Onitsha and the high point of its ceremonial cycle. Usually held in October, it centres on the annual emergence of the Obi of Onitsha from seclusion. The festival features the Obi in royal regalia, appearances by the red-cap chiefs (Ndichie), royal music and drums, traditional dancing and cultural performances. Ofala has also developed into a wider cultural programme, with associated activities including the Oreze international art exhibition, Ofala Youth Carnival and medical, health and wellbeing outreach. Different age groups also perform on the second day of Ofala making it a very colourful event. Ofala ceremonies are always held in Ezechima Square, Onitsha.
Golibe Festival is a modern annual arts, music, culture, family and community festival held in Onitsha around the Christmas and New Year period. Golibe in Onitsha dialect means "to rejoice". It was established as an initiative intended to promote Onitsha's culture, community identity, tourism and local economic activity. Activities included street carnivals, masquerade displays, cultural dances, music concerts, highlife performances, drama, comedy, football competitions, food and culinary competitions, arts and crafts exhibitions, children's entertainment, pageantry and crossover/New Year events. Golibe is particularly associated with the end-of-year homecoming period, when Onitsha indigenes and visitors return to the city. The festival provide opportunities to experience Onitsha food, music, arts traditional performances and contemporary entertainment in one programme.
This place is amazing for shopping. It's a place where you can get all kinds of footwear at a very affordable rate. It's also one of the big markets in Onitsha.
Zik Statue
The Statue at DMGS roundabout in Onitsha is a bronze sculpture created by Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu in 1964. The existing monument was substantially remodelled in 2018 under Governor Willie Obiano, when its pedestal was reconstructed and raised and the surrounding roundabout was redesigned with elephant tusk and bead sculptures reflecting Onitsha's cultural heritage.