Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US - Culture

A cemetery in George Washington National Forest in Amherst County, Va., is a good example. For decades, observers have commented that the gravestones had “strange marks.” Recently, these marks have been identified by this writer as African ideograms originating in Nigeria. The gravestones are inscribed with what appears to be Nsibidi, an Igbo writing system, confirming the survival of Igbo traditions during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Made of high-quality blue slate indigenous to the area and mined from a local quarry, the stones show little damage from weather or time. Subsequently, the place was named the “Seventeen Stones Cemetery.” The stones were probably engraved between 1770 to 1830, when the Igbo Diaspora was at its height in Virginia. At that time, the Igbo people comprised approximately 70 percent of the blacks in Virginia, a larger percentage than in any other Southern state. A star symbol at the top of one stone, signifying “congress” or “unity” has similarities to the Kongo cosmogram that depicts the life cycle of birth, life, death and the afterlife. The cosmogram symbol has equal perpendicular crossbars or lines, sometimes contained in a diamond shape or a circle. Here, the linear symbol in the lower register appears to be a combination of the sign for “individual” and “this land is mine.” Together the signs mean the deceased has joined the realm of the ancestors. Both symbols are enclosed in a rectangle, denoting their association. A line separating the symbols emphasizes they are separate but one. Igbo ideograms were important elements of religious practice and served as mnemonic devices associated with religion and with moral and historical narratives. In Igbo death and burial traditions, Nsibidi symbols honoring the ancestors were thought to protect the deceased. The most appropriate place to honor one’s forefathers was the cemetery. At times, the deceased were consulted for help with day-to-day problems. Items such as chickens, rum and schnapps were offered as gifts for the deceased during a grave-side ceremony. In the Seventeen Stones Cemetery, an iron pot was found set into the ground, suggesting the possibility of ancestral worship at this site. Historical sources describe how slaves worshiped in the forest by talking to a pot — the retainer for words and thoughts that could not be made public. African inscriptions and accompanying religious practices were outlawed during the period of enslavement. Creating such symbols was punishable by death because of its association with witchcraft. Hence, few examples of African ideograms still exist in the United States. 23 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by bigfrancis21(m): 4:54pm On May 03

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNo__febcbM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j09jj9mX54 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fx-7b9NscM 4 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by bigfrancis21(m): 4:54pm On May 03

8 Likes 1 Share

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by coolzeal(m): 4:58pm On May 03

There's more to be found about ancient black people all around the world and beyond. Just when we think we know too much, it appears we know little. 24 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by Emmanuel247(m): 5:08pm On May 03

Good to know **modified** Igbos have been everywhere Were everywhere And are still Everywhere....... IGBO KWENU 101 Likes 5 Shares

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by tobtap: 8:09pm On May 03

only peeps with INFERIORITY COMPLEX will claim the 75% of the entire slaves in another place,yet no visible proof thru(CULTURE, LANGUAGE AND CUISINE ) to back up their claims. my candid opinion 61 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by coldsummer: 8:09pm On May 03

That's an interesting one. Black culture is beautiful!!! .btw this Kylie Kardashian no dey pass 17 years old? So DSTV is still collecting this increased tarrif after court order stopped them? No respect. 5 Likes

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by vonmaxwell(m): 8:09pm On May 03

If only Nigerians will give Igbo people chance to develop her. This shows that Igbo is part of Developed USA. Woow 45 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by stevikenna: 8:10pm On May 03

IGBO KWENU!! 12 Likes

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by cold(m): 8:11pm On May 03

Interesting

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by OgagaMic(m): 8:11pm On May 03

hmmm Good to knw if its an Urhobo thread some silly Igbos go jst cum they talk rubbish, like they did @ http://www.nairaland.com/2289624/meet-ofoni-people-bayelsa-only worst tin they b calling us lazy SOBos, Igbo's learn to respect other people culture and tradition so urs will b respected, always think u re d best SMH anyway, Nice 1 op, Nigerians making name in US since 90BC without Nigeria no USA 9 Likes

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by loomer(m): 8:12pm On May 03

Make e for no loss,

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by rexbuton: 8:12pm On May 03

MJBN

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by SlickBack2(m): 8:13pm On May 03

Yep, that's right. I rep Igbo.....(And I made FP or the first time) 5 Likes

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by NiceHans: 8:13pm On May 03

This gonna be nice

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by jsclas: 8:13pm On May 03

HJistory

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by slimderek(m): 8:13pm On May 03

Chris brown is from Virginia. Does it mean he's an igbo dude? 10 Likes

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by funkiebully: 8:13pm On May 03

Hyper active mod I hail

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by publicenemy(m): 8:13pm On May 03

Igbo everywhere. 2 Likes

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by shedrack222: 8:14pm On May 03

Ndi Igbo every where, ndi Igbo amaka Read Venezuelan TV presenter strips Unclad during report on Cristiano Ronaldo proudlyweb.com/venezuelan-tv-presenter-strips-Unclad-during-report-on-cristiano-ronaldo 1 Like

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by osduer: 8:14pm On May 03

Igbo Kwenu

Re: Igbo Ideograms On Grave Stones In Virginia, US by ezeagu(m): 8:14pm On May 03

These signs are disputed as being European designs. tobtap: only peeps with INFERIOR COMPLEX will claim the 75% of the entire slaves in another place,yet no visible proof thru(CULTURE, LANGUAGE AND CUISINE ) to back up their claims. my candid opinion They're not 75%, 75% have at least one ancestor. There are evidences of Igbo culture, language and cuisine in the United States. The word okra was introduced into English by American Igbo slaves. The culture of Jonkonnu and Obeah/Hoodoo practices were introduced by Igbo slaves. Gumbo is very similar to Okro (or okro soup) and it's based on okra. Virginia/North Carolina Jonkonnu masquerade