The history of the Igbo-Edo borderland before 1897

Ijoma, J. Okoro (1979). The history of the Igbo-Edo borderland before 1897. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The thesis is primarily a study of socio-economic changes in the West Niger Igho area before the imposition of British rule. The study has been divided into six chapters of unequal lengths.

The first chapter draws attention to the problems of writing the history of pre—literate peoples in the absence of sufficient contemporary documentary material, and argues that the approach must differ from that of conventional history. The history of this community can only be reconstructed on the basis of evidence drawn from archaeological data, from oral traditions and ethnographic material, and from such written accounts as are available.

The second chapter looks at the peoples’ legends of origin. The majority of the chiefdoms and village-groups claim Edo and Igala ancestry. These myths, we have argued, find a historical basis in the long connections, social and economic, between the peoples of the area and the Edo and Igala kingdoms. In reality, however, the bulk of early settlers probably came from the Igbo east of the Niger. The names of the alleged founding fathers, the use of the Igbo language in the area and the presence of basic Igbo cultural traits would appear to point to this conclusion.

Chapter Three singles out the Agbor chiefdom for particular examination. Kingship and some of the royal paraphernalia present in Benin appear more developed here than in other chiefdoms, and we have argued that this is probably as a result of its geographical position close to Benin.

Chapter Four examines socio-economic trends in our area of enquiry before 1897» The discussion focusses mainly on the second half of the 19th century, when there are clearer insists into developments in the Lower Niger area. The 19th century saw intense commercial activity on the Niger and in the Delta. The Igbo on both sides of the Niger appear to have been the main producers of the staple commodities: slaves and palm oil. They were probably the main consumers of the new European goods being exchanged for the local products. The wealth generated by trade and commerce, and by agriculture seems to have differentiated the society more in terms of wealth than age.

Chapter Five notes the basic Igbo cultural traits retained by this area and examines some of the cultural elements that may have been borrowed from neighbours, particularly the Edo and Igala. There is important discussion on the presence of monarchy in this area, as contrasted with the position among the bulk of the Igbo communities east of the Niger. The study has suggested direct or indirect Edo, and probably Igala, influence in the evolution or development (or both) of kingship, but it has also suggested that monarchy may have developed from within as a rallying point to ward off Benin imperialism. Trade and commerce may have provided the material basis for the development of kingship. Indeed, the places - Aboh, Agbor, Ubulu Uku and Issele Uku — where kingship appears to be most developed are either on the Niger or on the best land route between Benin and the Niger.

Chapter Six attempts to summarise on the basic arguments.

Type of Work:	Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)
Award Type:	Doctorates > Ph.D.
College/Faculty:	Faculties (to 1997) > Faculty of Arts
School or Department:	Centre of West African Studies
Funders:	Other
Other Funders:	University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DT Africa
URI:	http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/18085

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