14 Facts About Nsibidi

Nsibidi is a system of symbols or proto-writing developed in what is the far South of Nigeria.

Nsibidi is used on wall designs, calabashes, metals, leaves, swords, and tattoos.

Nsibidi was and is still a means of transmitting Ekpe symbolism.

Nsibidi was transported to Cuba and Haiti via the Atlantic slave trade, where it developed into the anaforuana and veve symbols.

Nsibidi spread throughout the region and was adopted by other cultures and art such as the Igbo uri or uli graphic design.

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Macgregor who collected Nsibidi symbols claimed that nsibidi was formed by the Uguakima, Ebe or Uyanga subgroups of the Igbo people, which legend says were taught the script by baboons.

Nsibidi has a wide vocabulary of signs usually imprinted on calabashes, brass ware, textiles, wood sculptures, masquerade costumes, buildings and on human skin.

Nsibidi has been described as a "fluid system" of communication consisting of hundreds of abstract and pictographic signs.

Nsibidi was described in the colonial era by P A Talbot as "a kind of primitive secret writing", Talbot explained that nsibidi was used for messages "cut or painted on split palm stems".

Nsibidi crossed ethnic lines and was a uniting factor among ethnic groups in the Cross River region.

Nsibidi was used in judgement cases known as 'Ikpe' in some Cross River communities.

Nsibidi is used to design the 'ukara ekpe' woven material which is usually dyed blue and is covered in nsibidi symbols and motifs.

Nsibidi plays a central role in the Nsibidi Script Series of fantasy novels written by Nnedi Okorafor.

Nsibidi was the inspiration for the Wakandan writing system shown in the 2018 Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Panther.