Long before the invasion of Europeans into Igboland, we had our own system of Igbo alphabets called NSIBIDI which we used for a wide range of graphic communications. It's an interesting history.

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However, NSIBIDI was not taught to all or mastered by all. Learning NSIBIDI was an exclusive right given to only privileged members of secret societies or groups in Igboland such as members of Okonkwo or Mmanwu groups.

In pre-colonial Igbo societies, NSIBIDI was written on walls of buildings or caves designated for spiritual activities. NSIBIDI was eroded out of Igbo graphics communication system with our embrace of colonialism.

One man that has contributed immeasurably to the development of the Igbo alphabet system is Olaudah Equiano. Olaudah Equiano was an Igbo man who was abducted and sold as slave to Americans in the late 17th century but later bought his freedom back.

According to a book titled: "The Foundation of Igbo Studies", Olaudah hailed from Iseke, present-day Anambra State. Some scholars said Iseke should have been either Isi-eke in present day Ebonyi state or Nsukka in present day Enugu state.

Indeed, it was true that Olaudah was an Igbo man captured and sold as slave but he later made his mark in life and became a first-class American scholar, author, merchant, sailor, etc.

When Abraham Lincoln ended slave trading in America, it was announced that former slaves who desired to stay back in America should first re-learn their native African language for at least 3 years before opting to learn the formal English language in American schools.

It was at this point that Olaudah Equiano arose in Pennsylvania state and gathered other Igbo sons and daughters who were former slaves, and began to teach them how to write and read in Igbo language. That was a turn around moment.

Olaudah Equiano's School of Igbo Language Studies, the first ever formal setting in the world where Igbo language alphabets were studied and taught. From that point till 1962, Igbo language alphabets have undergone major development and changes that we could classify as generations.

FIRST GENERATION: Isuama Igbo Alphabets (1766-1900):

Isu is a village in Nkwerre town in present day Imo state. The local dialect with which Olaudah used in teaching Igbo language studies to his students back then in the 18th century was that of Isu, and for that reason, the first generation Igbo alphabets were referred to as Isuama Igbo Alphabets. The problem with Isuama Igbo and Olaudah Equiano's school of Igbo Language studies was the modification of Igbo language with too much American accent and intonation that Igbo language no longer sounded Igbo to the ears. Isuama Igbo Alphabets are;
a b c d e f
h I k l m n
o p r s t u
v w y z.

The above alphabets were later modified to include;

gb gh gw kp kw n
nw ny o sh ds ts.

SECOND GENERATION: Union Igbo Alphabets (1900-1929):

This era coincided with the colonial era and the spread of Christianity in Igbo land. Anglican Rev. Thomas J. Dennis of the popular Dennis Memorial grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha established a school were Igbo language was taught freely to all who cared to learn. Rev. Dennis looked into the various native dialects Onitsha, Owerri, Uwani, Arochukwu, and Bonny in Rivers state, and developed an Igbo alphabet system that could make meaning to all Igbos. So, the new set of igbo alphabets he created was used by him to do the first ever translation of the Christian Bible in Igbo language. Hence, Igbo bibles are called "Union Igbo Bibles." Igbo union alphabets as put together by Rev. Dennis are as follows:

a b ch d e
f g gb gh h
I j k l m
n o o p kp
r s sh t u
v w y s sh
t u v w z
gw kw nw ny.

THIRD GENERATION: Central Igbo Alphabets (1929-1961):

Roman Catholic did not accept the Igbo union alphabets...

may be because it was the work of Anglican priest so they formed their own Igbo alphabets and promoted by a man called Ida Ward.
The introduction of central Igbo language brought confusion among scholars and students of Igbo language as well as great competition between Igbo Catholics and Anglicans which lasted until 1963.

FOURTH GENERATION: Onwu Alphabets (1961- Present):

in 1961, a committee of Igbo language scholars was inaugurated with Maazi Onwu as chairman. The committee took a deep look at the conflict between the proponents of union Igbo alphabets and central Igbo alphabets and from both alphabet systems, a new set of alphabets was selected and named Onwu alphabets after the committee chairman because of the excellent work he put forth to end the scholarly conflict and unnecessary competition.Hence, the current Igbo alphabets are 36 in all and as follows:

a b ch d e f
g gb gh gw h i
I j k kp kw l
m n n nw ny o
o p r s sh t
u u v w y z.

The current igbo alphabets are classified into two groups: vowels and Consonants. Igbo vowels are Eight: a, e, ị, I, o, ọ, ụ, u.

Igbo consonants are 28:

b ch d f g gb gh gw h j k kp kw l m n n nw ny p r s sh t v w y z.

The English alphabet not found in Igbo language alphabet system is only "X". The End.

Are you sure we ain't related to China?

Are you sure we ain't related to China?

Good job

Jackson619007:
Are you sure we ain't related to China?

Phahahahahaha

Stop lthe lies op... igbo people (Bush people) have no history, no kingdom, no Kings, and I don't want to tell the world y, but all I will say is that EVEN THE NAME IGBO WAS GIVEN BY MICHAEL AJAYI CROWDER. he refared to them as BUSH PEOPLE ( IGBO PEOPLE) and that's a fact. Know your history

lexylaw09:
Stop lthe lies op... igbo people (Bush people) have no history, no kingdom, no Kings, and I don't want to tell the world y, but all I will say is that EVEN THE NAME IGBO WAS GIVEN BY MICHAEL AJAYI CROWDER. he refared to them as BUSH PEOPLE ( IGBO PEOPLE) and that's a fact. Know your history

That is why the Amir told your father FEM

Pussycokie45:


Phahahahahaha

And what's the meaning of that?

Jackson619007:


And what's the meaning of that?

China is not related abeg

I thought it was Ekoi people of Cross River that used it

Jackson619007:
Ate you sure we ain't related to China?

Honestly, nsibidi symbols actually have so much resemblance with Chinese

lexylaw09:
Stop lthe lies op... igbo people (Bush people) have no history, no kingdom, no Kings, and I don't want to tell the world y, but all I will say is that EVEN THE NAME IGBO WAS GIVEN BY MICHAEL AJAYI CROWDER. he refared to them as BUSH PEOPLE ( IGBO PEOPLE) and that's a fact. Know your history

I don't know why Yorubas are so hateful and bitter in nature. If only you guys will eschew bitterness, there would be progress among you. Your slum settlements will give way to modernity just like the beautiful rural and urban areas of Igboland had evolved.

Nsibidi was known only among the ekpe society do not generalise it.

proeast:


I don't know why Yorubas are so hateful and bitter in nature. If only you guys will eschew bitterness, there would be progress among you. Your slum settlements will give way to modernity just like the beautiful rural and urban areas of Igboland had evolved.

I tire o

Pussycokie45:
may be because it was the work of Anglican priest so they formed their own Igbo alphabets and promoted by a man called Ida Ward.
The introduction of central Igbo language brought confusion among scholars and students of Igbo language as well as great competition between Igbo Catholics and Anglicans which lasted until 1963.

FOURTH GENERATION: Onwu Alphabets (1961- Present):

in 1961, a committee of Igbo language scholars was inaugurated with Maazi Onwu as chairman. The committee took a deep look at the conflict between the proponents of union Igbo alphabets and central Igbo alphabets and from both alphabet systems, a new set of alphabets was selected and named Onwu alphabets after the committee chairman because of the excellent work he put forth to end the scholarly conflict and unnecessary competition.Hence, the current Igbo alphabets are 36 in all and as follows:

a b ch d e f
g gb gh gw h i
I j k kp kw l
m n n nw ny o
o p r s sh t
u u v w y z.

The current igbo alphabets are classified into two groups: vowels and Consonants. Igbo vowels are Eight: a, e, ị, I, o, ọ, ụ, u.

Igbo consonants are 28:

b ch d f g gb gh gw h j k kp kw l m n n nw ny p r s sh t v w y z.

The English alphabet not found in Igbo language alphabet system is only "X". The End.

wow..this is interesting.

proeast:


Honestly, nsibidi symbols actually have so much resemblance with Chinese

Thank you bro.

Pussycokie45:



China is not related abeg

Okay.

It isn't exactly igbo, it is more Eastern-Eastern Nigeria.(so Eastern Biafra and a bit of Western Ambazonia).

Not all Igbos used it, it wasn't only used by Igbos.