History of Igbo Language & Suggested Study Materials compiled by the Igbophile, Frances W. Pritchett.

Understanding Igbo Poetry is the English translation of the book “Ighota Abu Igbo” a handbook/guide to understanding and critiquing Igbo poems. It is written by Ihechukwu Madubuike and translated to English by Frances W. Pritchett.

Ije Odumodu Jere is one of the earliest novels written in Igbo language by Bell-Gam, Leoplod published in 1963 by Longman, London. On one hand, Bell-Gam through intercultural travels of Odumodu, the protagonist, draws attention to the interrelationshp between humans, flora and fauna. On the other hand, he sensitizes humans on the need to respect one another irrespective of differences of colour, race or culture. In a captivating artistic manner, the author shares from an indigenous Igbo perspective useful tips on Education, Engineering, Architecture, Agriculture and Fishery thereby establishing the kind of balance needed for the emergence of a knowledge society.

The present Igbo dictionary is a much revised and expanded version of the Igbo dictionary published by Kay Williamson, Ethiope Press, Benin City in 1972. Professor Williamson died in early January 2005, with it
still unpublished. The revision was prepared in the 1970s and 1980s and was typed camera-ready in a manuscript submitted to the same publishers in 1983. The publishers first delayed in responding and then
finally admitted they had lost the copy. So only a photocopy of the original typed version exists.

Odumodu’s Journey is one of the earliest novels written in Igbo language by Bell-Gam Leopold published in 1963 by Longman, London and translated for English readers by Frances W. Pritchett.

Written by Njoku, N.O. This booklet throws light on money grubbing women who fleece men of their hard earned money. The author warns his fellow men of these type of women and advice them on how to avoid their company.

A draft English translation of F.C Ogbalu’s Ilu Igbo: The Book of Proverbs by F.C Ogbalu,by Frances W. Pritchett.
Includes annotated and compiled list of books containing Igbo proverbs by Frances W. Pritchett.

Written by Okenwa, Olisah and published in 1963.The Igbos ( written as Ibo or Iboe by some) are an ethnic group found in Southeastern Nigeria, West Africa. This booklet is an exposition on the native customs and laws the Igbos keep. Topics such as Title taking, Gender,Land ownership, Marriage and Courtship laws are covered. It should be noted that some of these customs have been lost or forfeited when Igbos converted to Christianity although it is common to find many who combine African Traditional religion and Christianity.

Written by Njoku, Nathan. A comedic drama on King Johnson and his wayward wives who plan to kill him and take over his kingdom with the help of their boyfriend/servant, Okoronkwo.

A.W Banfield, who lived among the Nupe Tribe, wrote this book in 1905 in order to give the people of America an insight of that part of the great West Coast of Africa, known as Nigeria, and especially Northern Nigeria, which is Great Britain’s latest Protectorate. He also hoped it would aid the missionaries who came down to West Africa to convert the natives.

Omenuko by Pita Nwana, was published after winning an all-Africa literary contest in indigenous African languages organized by the International Institute of African Languages and Culture. Pita Nwana was the first Igbo to publish fiction in the Igbo language. The first edition was in the Protestant Orthography, but it was soon issued in the other orthographies.

This edition was translated by France W. Pritchett.

The Author of Omenuko is a biography about Pita Nwana, the author of the first Igbo novel Omenuko , a special man among men, a man who trusted his personal god and did a special work for the public without receiving any money.

Patrice Émery Lumumba (2 July 1925 – 17 January 1961) was a Congolese independence leader and the first democratically elected leader of the Congo as prime minister. He was assassinated on 17 January, 1961.
The last days of Lumumba is a fictitious drama on how the Congolese leader was allegedly killed.Written by Iguh, Thomas.

Frances W. Pritchett writes about how she became interested in Igbo language after meeting and hosting a Nigerian Igbo student.

“In learning about a language one also learns about the culture that produced it–the beliefs, traditions, habits, attitudes, ways of making a living, interpretations of natural surroundings, ideas about marriage, children, etc. I discovered that my Eurocentric education had left me
sadly ignorant about Africa, so I began to educate myself by reading books by African writers. “Things Fall Apart,” by Chinua Achebe, had a great impact on me.I developed a desire to see for myself this milieu that was clearly so different from my own.”