American anthropologist returns to Nigeria 64 Years after ahead of Onitsha Ofala festival
By Goodness Ndukuba, Awka
Richard Henderson, a revered American anthropologist and author has arrived Lagos, Nigeria ahead of the 2026 Onitsha Ofala festival scheduled for Oct. 16 and 17.
Henderson who authored a seminal “The King in Every Man: Evolutionary Trends in Onitsha Igbo Society and Culture’ in (1972) is returning to the commercial city after 64 years as a special guest of Obi of Onitsha at the Ofala.
A Statement issued by Ofala Strategic Marketing and Communications Team on behalf of the Ofala Steering Committee said Henderson arrived from Tucson, Arizona, USA with his son Michael Henderson.
It said the Anthropologist lived among Onitsha People from 1960 to 1962, describing him as a rare Onyeocha (Whiteman) who listened, learned Onitsha language and institutions from within.
It said Henderson’s book remained not only foundational in Onitsha, respected in palaces and homes, but is also considered a primer on African anthropology.
“He gave the world the most authoritative account of what it means to be Onitsha.
“He taught that kingship, Eze, Ozo, Umunna, Ogbe, and the spirit of Ani are not relics, but a living system where every man carries the dignity of a king.
“His continuing archive at amightytree.org, with Helen Henderson, preserves our
photographs, shrines, iba, okpulukpu, and oral histories that might otherwise have been lost.
“Hence his name is invoked in Onitsha with unusual reverence for an outsider,” it said.
The Statement said Henderson was received on arrival by a team from Ime Obi led by Chief Ben Epundu, Ijagwo Obi, Ojinnaka Onyenyionwu, President, OIU Lagos and Commander Tagbo, NDLEA Commander, MMIA.
