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Traditions of Igbo Origins: A Comment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 May 2014

A.E. Afigbo
A.E. Afigbo*
Affiliation:
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
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Extract

But if the problem that has so far engaged our attention has been extremely intricate, that which concerns the origin of the Ibo is still more so for it is a very maze within a maze. Here…we are face to face with an evolution which is practically interminable, for certain important complexities have to be taken into consideration.

The problem of Igbo origins is indeed “a very maze within a maze.” It boggles the mind. Instead of one pan-Igbo tradition of origin there are almost as many traditions as there are those independent sub-cultural groups referred to as “clans” in the Intelligence Reports of the 1930s. In fact in some clans there are two rival traditions of origin. However, for clarity and ease of understanding, we shall here distinguish among three categories of traditions of origin found among the Ibgo people. Going from what I consider the least to the most relevant, these are:

[a] traditions of oriental origin

[b] traditions of origin from neighboring “great” states

[c] traditions claiming autochthony.

Type
Research Article
Information
History in Africa , Volume 10 , 1983 , pp. 1 - 11
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 1983

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References

Notes

1. Leonard, A.G., The Lower Niger and Its Tribes (London, 1906) 31.Google Scholar

2. Olaudah, Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa The African (Norwich, 1794), 25–28.Google Scholar

3. Basden, G.T., “Notes on the Ibo Country,” Geographical Journal 39 (1912), 246–47.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

4. Akwaelumo, Ike, The Origins of the Ibos (Aba, n.d.).Google Scholar

5. A.D. 635 Aro Sub Tribes, Enugu Archives. See undated Second Report on Arochukwu by H.F. Matthews, Enugu Archives.

6. Jeffrews, M.D.W., “Dual Organisation in Africa,” African Studies, 5 (1946), 82–105CrossRefGoogle Scholar; “The Umundri Tradition of Origin,” African Studies, 15 (1956), esp. p. 120–24.Google Scholar

7. File No. 15911 vol. I: Tribes of Nigeria (i) Inter-Relations (ii) Aro Chuku, Jukun etc., Raduna Archives.

8. Equiano, , Interesting Narrative, 25–28.Google Scholar

9. Onweujeogwu, M.A., “Patterns of Population Movement in the Igbo Culture Area,” Odinani vol. 2 (Sept. 1977), 21–37.Google Scholar

10. Afigbo, A.E., “Speculations on Ogbo Origin, Migrations and Culture History” in Ropes of Sand: Studies in Igbo History and Culture (Nsukka, 1981).Google Scholar

11. Afigbo, A.E., “The Bini Mirage and the History of South Central Nigeria,” Nigeria Magazine no. 137 (1981).Google Scholar

12. Ibid.

13. Onwuejeogwu, “Patterns of Population Movement.”

14. Ijoma, J.O., “The History of the Igbo-Edo Borderland Before 1879” (Ph.D. Thesis, University of Birmingham, 1978).Google Scholar

15. For a more detailed examination of these points see Afigbo, “Speculations.”

16. For details see Afigbo, “The Holy City of Nri” in Ropes of Sand.

17. Ibid.

18. Shaw, Thurstan, Nigeria: Its Archaeology and Early History (London, 1978), 89–90Google Scholar; Hiernaux, J., The People of Africa (London, 1974), 166–72.Google Scholar

19. Bloch, Marc, The Historian's Craft (Manchester, 1976), 29–30.Google Scholar