Theresa Onuorah, celebrated as the Queen of Egedege Dance, is one of Nigeria’s most enduring cultural icons. A singer, dancer, and innovator, she has elevated Igbo performance traditions onto a grand stage while safeguarding their authenticity. Through her artistry, she demonstrates how heritage can remain alive, dynamic, and relevant across generations.
Early Performances and the Birth of Egedege
Before 1985, when she formally established the Egedege Dance Troupe of Unubi in Anambra State, Theresa Onuorah was already captivating smaller community gatherings with her commanding stage presence and sonorous voice. Her natural talent quickly made her a local favorite, laying the foundation for what would become a cultural revolution.
The name Egedege refers to a royal-styled Igbo dance once reserved for kings, titled men, and the wealthy elite. Originally performed under moonlight as a symbol of prestige, Onuorah reimagined it as a theatrical art form open to wider audiences.
By infusing Egedege with elaborate choreography, resplendent regalia, and layered musical arrangements, she democratized a once-exclusive tradition, transforming it into a performance that combined palace grandeur with communal celebration.
The Regal Style of Egedege
What makes Egedege unique is its aura of majesty. On stage, Onuorah appears in rich Igbo attire adorned with coral beads, moving with the dignity of cultural royalty. The performance often begins with the piercing melody of the flute, signaling reverence, before swelling into call-and-response chants led by her commanding voice.
Traditional instruments—ogene (metal gong), drums, and flutes—blend with synchronised dance movements, all designed to embody dignity, identity, and pride. For the Igbo, Egedege is more than entertainment; it is a living archive of heritage and a display of social prestige.
Rise to Fame
By the late 1980s and 1990s, Theresa Onuorah’s troupe had risen to prominence across southeastern Nigeria. She became the preferred performer for royal households, cultural festivals, and national celebrations, earning the title “Queen of Egedege Dance.”
Her popularity reflected her ability to combine authenticity with modern showmanship—positioning her as both custodian and innovator of a revered cultural practice.
Renewed Recognition in the 21st Century
While her name remained synonymous with cultural pride, Onuorah’s artistry found new life in October 2021 with the release of Larry Gaaga’s hit single “Egedege,” featuring Flavour N’abania and Phyno.
The collaboration fused Afrobeat with traditional Igbo sounds, introducing Egedege to a new generation.
In the music video, Onuorah appeared in her full regal splendor, a reminder of the timeless authority she carries. The moment echoed how Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti preserved and globalized Yoruba rhythms—both artists turning indigenous traditions into modern cultural exports.
Legacy and Impact
Theresa Onuorah’s genius lies in her ability to preserve and adapt. By elevating Egedege from palace courtyards to festival stages, she safeguarded its cultural significance while ensuring it resonates with younger audiences.
For the Igbo, her performances embody heritage, dignity, and identity. For Nigeria and beyond, she stands as a living symbol of African resilience and creativity.
As the Queen of Egedege Dance, Theresa Onuorah is not only a custodian of the past but also a cultural bridge—showing that tradition, when nurtured, can shine eternally in modern light.
Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.
The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.
Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.
“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”
Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”
Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.
“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”
But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”
Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.
In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.
“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.
“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”
The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.
Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.
“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.
“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”
Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.
She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.
In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.
In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.
Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.
He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.
He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.
Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.
It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.
In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.
She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.
“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.
“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”
