Browse Items (31 total)

This quirky yet refreshing play by Felix Stephen (a.k.a. Nathan Njoku) does not spell out a clear moral or seek to be prescriptive, unlike many of the Onitsha plays. In addition, the misogyny is downplayed. In many ways the play's title is not a…

This pamphlet is another how-to guide described as a "New Grammar Book" in the preface. The author, Wilfred Onwuka, is also listed as a "compositor, poet,novelist and dramatist." He is referred to as "Master of Pen." Written mainly for "senior…

This is a how-to pamphlet where "you will learn the styles and ways to write "letters that are "very interesting and reasonable, and the English very educative," (pg.4). Abiakam advises his readers to "Read and recommend to your friends one by one…

This play is unique in the Onitsha collection for several important reasons.It was written just after the Biafran War, described by the playwright as "the shooting war," (pg.2). Additionally, it has a definite production history. It was performed for…

Providing almost one proverb for every day of the year, C. N. Eze offers several intriguing messages about wisdom, justice and morality. In the first 19 chapters of this pamphlet Eze discusses how "brotherhood" has both lagged and manifested itself,…

This cleverly-titled work from Sunday O. Olisah, also known as "the Strong Man of the Pen," is described as "a psychological pamphlet" that examines the connections surrounding poverty, unhappiness, success and progress, (pg. 3). The cover has an…

This map shows Onitsha's position as the center of the Nigerian book trade in the 1960's.

This play's preface suggests that the work should be read as a closet drama. Readers are duly instructed: "When ever you are annoyed, take up this booklet and go through it. You will come across very funny items that will make you forget all about…

Photo of Onitsha Market taken by Thomas R. Buckman. Reproduced with permission.

This illustration of a poverty-striken worker is taken from Life Turns Man Up and Down, (pg. 9).