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 endevours. By so
doing the
system can be said to be
achievement oriented. The Igbos 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 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 orders
that normally comprised the Okparas from different families. It was the responsibility of the councils of elders to settle disputes between and among
lineages in practice, the Okparas who were heads of their
resections families and who in turn
comprised the council of elders, were
mainly the eldest and often times the oldest in their families,
and because of the roles they played.
From the political point of view, the village was the
largest unit of government. It strengthened
participation in decision making and decisions taken had to be unanimous, thus
ensuring government by consents
Because of the village assembly usually had their
meetings in places which both served as market place of worship and at the same time recreational avenues and because such meetings usually took place under big protective
trees, the pre colonial Igbos are said to have practiced tree shade democracy.
In Igbo land age grade system was dominant and each has definite role to play
Igbo believed and relied much on oracles which
provided spiritual staff action and plays a vital roles in political, social
and economic activities
Therefore when compare to the culture of other ethnic
groups in Nigeria, the Igbo was the most egalitarian, provided opportunities
for citizens to achieve success as birth and old age were considered
insufficient factors for high status.