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| Igbo people; origin and history |
The Igbo People Origin and History
The Igbo people - Our Origin and History
Many theory have been put forward about the origin of the Igbo people. Some claim that the Igbo migrated from the East and are either one of the lost tribes of Israel or Egypt. Another claim that they migrated from Western Africa. But available evidence such as Language diversity; Botanical (Forests Conservation); Population density; Archaeological, suggests that the Igbo and their forbears have lived in much their present homes from the dawn of human history.
The traditional homeland of the lgbo people lies in the south-eastern region of Nigeria. They are situated between the great river Niger and Cross Rivers State, with the Ibibio, Ijo, Igala, Idoma, Edo as their neighbors. The ancient scttlement at Igbo-Ukwu in eastern Nigeria was an outpost for West African's long-distance trade routes, one of which was the Trans-Saharan trade routes. The main items traded were gold, slaves, salt, cowries shells (the major unit of currency), weapons, expensive cloth, pepper, ivory, kola nuts, leather goods.
The arrival of Europeans on the coast of West Africa undermined the Saharan trade, but did not finally finish it until well into the 19th century. This also made the south-eastern region flourish, primarily trading slaves but after the abolition of slave trade in 1807, turned to trading in palm products, timber, elephant tusk and spices.
The Igbos are a self-helping race who strongly believe in making themselves what they wish to be, hence the Igbo saying "Onye kwe Chi ya ekwe". They are a people rich in culture and tradition. Although generally having very similar cultures, they also show a local variation in cultures and customs.
Based on these variations the Igbo land can be divided into five main subgroups:
The Northern Igbo:- Igbo-Ukwu, Onitsha, Enugu, Nri-Awka
The Western Igbo:- Ogwashi-Ukwu, Asaba, Agbor,
The Southern Igbo:- Umuahia, Ngwa, Owerrinta,
The Eastern Igbo :- Afikpo, Arochukwu-Ohiafia, Bende
The North-Eastern Igbo:- Ogu-Ukwu, Abakaliki
After several military conquest, Igbo land now became under British colonial rule. This was a style of govermnent not very popular amongst the Igbos, hence the British were faced with a lot of protest and resistance, but Igbo land still became a British Colony.
In 1900 the area that was once administered by the British Niger Company now became the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria. Control of this area then got passed from the British Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. By 1900 - 1914 the Northern and Southern Nigeria were amalgamated. Then afterward the Eastern Region was formed and subsequently was divided into several other states
Igbos can be found in these states: Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers State
Created on 05/28/2006 05:31 PM by admin
Updated on 03/16/2007 12:32 AM by admin
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