See The Significant Differences Between Northern And Southern Igbo

Although the artificial creation of the centralised “Igbo Izugbe” has been used to largely bridge the gap, the Igbo groups gravitate towards two cultural spheres i.e the Northern and Southern Igbo.

The Northern Igbo found primarily in Anambra and Enugu States and by extension into what we consider as Western Igbo(Anioma in Delta State) and Northeast Igbo (Ebonyi State)

The Southern Igbo extends between Imo(Owerri zone mostly) and Abia States as well as the Igboid speaking parts of Rivers State i.e the Ikwerre, Ndoki and Etche.

Northern Igbo was dominated by Nri socio-cultural and religious sphere while Southern Igbo by Arochukwu

Linguistically speaking, Northern Igbo dialects would use the L consonant where Southern Igbo dialects would use the R e.g mmili in Northern Igbo becomes Miri in Southern Igbo.
Northern Igbo would typically use N consonant where Southern Igbo dialects would use L e.g Ani becomes Ala in Southern Igbo, b also changes to w e.g bụ to wụ, nébé to léwé

The two cultural spheres do not also dance the same, those from Northern Igbo dance by stomping their feet (ite egwu) while those from the South perform the waist dance.

Southern Igbo primarily eats okazi as their main leaf while those from Northern Igbo prefers the bitterleaf.

Market systems too has slight variations, Amongst the Southern Igbo all markets sell every 8 days while in Northern Igbo it sells in 4 day basis,
A traditional week in Southern Igbo is 8 days.

The Isu groups are however situated in the middle thus incorporating both aspects of Northern and Southern Igbo cultures

The Osu caste system is generally absent Amongst the Southern Igbo with the exception of Owerri and Mbaise (probably due to Isuama influence)

Title taking(chieftaincy title institutions) is generally lacking in Southern Igbo culture but it is a big deal in the Northern part. ‘Nze na ozo’ system is mostly lacking amongst the Southern Igbo although they did have leaders and respectable men known as “Oha” or “okommadu”

Amongst the Southern Igbo The nobility was formed by members of secret societies such as ọkọnkọ, ekpo and owu or okorosha.
Amongst the Southern Igbo ndiiché refers to the late great ancestors and not living chiefs<<Continue Reading>>>