Inter-group
relationship among Igbo per
colonial Nigeria as
regard to geographical, economical,
ecological cultural and political
are illustrated as follows:
The
Igbo occupy the east and west of the lower
Niger predominantly, the Igbos are
found in Abia, Anambra Ebonyi , Enugu and Imo states. The can also be found in parts of delta, cross
river and rivers states.
Government
in pre-colonial igbo land was an attempt at direct democracy. It involved
participation of all, male adults in the affairs of the society/ village.
Leadership was provided by all these who distinguished themselves in
their chosen areas of endeavors. By so doing the system can be said to be achievement oriented. The Igbo
are classified among states or accephalous societies in
that there was diffusion of powers among
different persons or groups. The basic political / social unit is Igbo land was “umunna”
which comprised a group of families that
traces their descent to a common ancestor.
The
eldest direct descendant was the “okpara”
who was in charged of the family as such, the intermediary between the living and the dead. He also carried out
functions that boarder on inter-family relations, was the religious leader
just as he performed judicial and economic roles.
The second political unit was the council of elders
that normally comprised the okparas
from different families. It was the repso9nsiblity of the councils of
elders to settle disputes between and among lineages in
practice, the okparas who were
heads of their respective families and
who in turn comprised the council of
elders