In this series, Amarachi Nnoli blends elements of studio photography to examine Igbo identity in Nigeria. Visiting Adazi-Ani, her paternal hometown in southeastern Nigeria, she uses portraiture not only to explore the image of a person, but as a vessel of culture, memory, and representation.
Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025.
Helen Nnoli poses for a photo with a framed portrait of her late husband Sir Luke Nweke Nnoli in their home at Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025.
Martins Udoh in his home at Ede village Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025.
Left: Izu, representing one of the men who accompany the masquerades or Mmanwu to clear paths for them. Amaeku village Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025. Right: Udor masquerade or Mmanwu Udor, is a messenger masquerade appearing mostly during festivities. Amaeku village Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025.
Members of Umuada Amaeku kindred pose for a photo at the venue of a burial ceremony in Umuru village Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025.
A traditionalist or Dibia, Anthony Nwankwo (Ichie Ose) in his home at Ede village Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025. in his home at Ede village Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025.
A muslim-Igbo family in their home at Amaeku village Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025.
Left: Emeka, Chidiogo, Munachi, Chidube, Chiugo, and Kamsi, in their home at Amaeku village Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025. Right: Nweke Francis Obiaju (middle) sit for a portrait with his children, Emeka, Chidiogo, Munachi, Chidube, Chiugo, and Kamsi, in their home at Amaeku village Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025.
Aji Busu masquerade is a messenger masquerade appearing mostly during festivities. Amaeku village Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025.
Rev. Fr. Onyekachuwkwu Okeke, a newly ordained priest and indigene of Adazi Ani, at outstation parish of All Saints Catholic Church, Obinabo hall Adazi-Ani after celebrating his first mass since his ordination in July 2025. Anambra state, July 2025.
Young men pose for a photo after a football training session at St Jude Catholic Church field Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025.
Members of St Peters' Catholic Church choir pose for a photo at the venue of a burial ceremony in Umuru village Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025.
A statue of late Sir Luke Nweke Nnoli as a grave marker in the Nnoli family compound home Ameku, Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025. in his home at Ede village Adazi-Ani, Anambra state. July 2025.
Amarachi Nnoli (b. 2000, Enugu, Nigeria) is a documentary photographer and artist currently experimenting with photographs. Her practice majorly explores women in different fields and their experiences in society — especially the women of her family — the archiving of Igbo cultural practices, and documenting the joys of everyday people. Nnoli studied English and Literature at the University of Benin. While in final year, she worked with Document Women - her first gig as photojournalist - on photoessays about women-artists living and working in Benin City and Lagos. She has participated in group exhibitions in London, Illinois Chicago, Archivo Jalon Angel's "Cazadores de imágenes" exhibition in Zaragoza Spain, and the maiden edition of +234 ArtFair in Lagos Nigeria. Nnoli was a part of the 2024 cohort of Dikan Photojournalism and Documentary Practice Program in Accra Ghana, took part in the African Digital Heritage residency (Kenya). In 2025, Nnoli won an African Women in Photography in collaboration with The END Fund $10,000 commission alongside other women lens-based artists. A member of the Black Women Photographers, African Photojournalist Database (APJD), African Women in Photography, and a founding member of Ahutan Collective, Nnoli lives and works between Lagos Nigeria and Accra, Ghana.
Over four weeks, Tender Photos will showcase Anwuli: An Invitation to Joy, a photo series featuring intimate portraits of people in an Igbo village as captured by Amarachi Nnoli. An essay contextualising the images by Zenas Ubere will be published next week (October 15). For press and other media inquiries, contact us.
