Igbo Culture?
I shall start of by saying that I have not studied “Igbo” culture in any form, so I welcome all criticisms and corrections that will follow.
Culture, as a body of learned behaviours common to a given human society, acts rather like a template (ie. it has predictable form and content), shaping behaviour and consciousness within a human society from generation to generation. So culture resides in all learned behaviour and in some shaping template or consciousness prior to behavior as well (that is, a “cultural template” can be in place prior to the birth of an individual person). This is my understanding of it.
To the best of my limited knowledge of “Igbo” culture, it varies from one town to the next and with the coming of Christianity and influence of western culture a lot of the practices have either died away, been adulterated or altered.
Though we have diversity in “Igbo” culture, there are many other traits that make us unique apart from the language. Respect for elders and ones parents is universal in “Igbo” culture. The family and the extended family play an important part in our upbinging, marriage and burial ceremonies.
To help us and our children grasp a better understanding of what makes us unique, we will welcome any article dealing with “Igbo” culture.
I am willing to learn and I am sure there are many others who are in a similar situation.
A Short History of the Igbo
The origin of the Igbo people is obscure. Evidence suggests that they have occupied their present territory since prehistoric times. Archaeological discoveries indicate that the early Igbo had an artistic culture (Igbo Ukwu) supported by flourishing agriculture and highly developed trade.
The Igbo or Ibo, are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, with an estimated population of about 18 million. The Igbo inhabit the south-eastern (shown in map) section of Nigeria, a region of tropical rain forests near the Atlantic coast. The term Igbo refers to the area and the language.
Igbo culture emphasizes self-reliance, equality among people (Igbo enwe Eze), democratic processes and vigorous competition for social, economic and political achievement. The Igbo highly value power and social standing.
The Igbo’s location near the Nigerian coast made them active in the slave trade. Their location also enabled many Igbo to attend missionary schools, which prepared them to take jobs under British rule. Britain gained control of Nigeria during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s and was a colony till independence in 1960. Outside Nigeria the United kingdom and the United States of America is home to the highest number of Igbo.
How did we end up in the United Kingdom? These Newsletter intends to tell the different stories.
