By: NWABUGWU Okey Anthony
(Assistant Chief Exhibition Officer, National Museum of Unity, Enugu)
ABSTRACT
Ncho, also known as Izu Ncho, is a traditional game associated with recreational and social life in Ihiala, Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria. Although traditional games are often regarded primarily as forms of entertainment, they can also function as important channels for social interaction, intellectual development and the transmission of indigenous knowledge. This paper examines Ncho as a traditional game, recreational practice and cultural heritage of the people of Ihiala. It discusses the cultural context of Ihiala, the nature and procedure of the game, its rules and materials, and the skills required by players. The paper further examines the recreational, social and cultural functions of Ncho, particularly its contribution to relaxation, family bonding, intergenerational interaction, strategic thinking and the transmission of traditional knowledge. It argues that the significance of Ncho extends beyond the physical game board and playing materials to include the knowledge, skills, values and social relationships associated with its practice. The paper also considers contemporary challenges, including changing leisure patterns and declining transmission among younger generations, and highlights the role of museums, schools, communities and digital documentation in safeguarding the practice. The paper concludes that Ncho represents an important element of Ihiala's living cultural heritage and deserves systematic documentation, promotion and intergenerational transmission.
