CLASS: JS 2
SUBJECT: HISTORY
TERM: FIRST TERM
SCHEME OF WORK
WEEK 1:
1. Compound cleaning and resumption test.
2. Meaning of Non-centralized states.
- Characteristics of non-centralized states.
- Examples of non-centralized states in pre colonial Nigerria.
3. Tiv
- Idoma
4. Ebira
5. Igbo
6. Urhobo
7. Mid- term test and Mid- term break
8. Ijo (Igaw)
9. Oro (Oron)
10. Ibibio
11. Anang
12. Revision
13. Examination
14. Closing.
WEEK 2
THE NON-CENTRALIZED STATES OF NIGERIA BEFORE 1800
Meaning of Non-centralized states:
Non-centralized states are Independent ethnic group that had no central
administration which means that they had no powerful/single ruler in the land.
This kind of arrangement was of common feature of different states/group in
Nigeria before the era of colonialism by the British. (I.e. the pre-colonial period).
The small scale organization of these independent societies, did in some areas,
permit efficient democratic practices to take firm root in these communities
because of the manner in which everybody was involved in the governmental
processes, through family representation in village elders council, through clan
meeting and through various age grades and village societies.
Characteristics of the Non-centralized states
1. They had no kings nor single rulers. But usually, they had eldest male
member of their communities as their leaders who had no executive powers.
2 There were no wars of expansion, due to lack of empires and kingdoms
(only inter-village wars existed).
3. There were no kingdoms and empires what existed was small autonomous
villages.
4. They had various secret societies and title taking societies and other
institution where members enjoyed respect in the soceity (different
governing units existed).
5. Members of each autonomous community looked upon each other as a
relative as they claimed to originate from one common ancestor.
6. There was absence of law courts and prisons as the citizens were guided by
customs, toboo and sanctions
7. Wealthy and influential persons usually occupied prominent positions in the
society (normally council of elders).
Examples of non-centralized states in pre-colonial Nigeria included:-
1. The Tiv
2. Idoma
3. Ebira
4. Igbo
5. Urhobo
6. Ijo (Igaw)
7. Oro (Oron)
8. Ibibio
9. Anang
WEEK 3: THE TIV
Tiv people speak the Tiv language and are found in the present day central region
of Nigeria. A version of their origin has it that their original home is southern
Cameroun and particularly Mamfe and from there they migrated as a result of
population pressure and internal dispute. They arrived first at the Benue basin
where they lived on a hilltop called Ibenda or Salagi. And their neighbour
included: The Idoma, Jukun, Chamba, The Hausa, The Fulani and Igala.
Social-Political organisation
Before Tivs contact with Jukun, they had a powerful secret cult called Mba-Tsav
and they also lived in a common compound where the eldest man or the Uya
settled disputes. At the kindred level, each community has two important
administrators, the Tee (spokesman) and Shagba or (man of substance) who were
also member of Mba-Tav. It was believed the Tee has magical power with which
he handled (legislative and spiritual matters). The Shagba or enforced the Law, and
the community council elects and advise the Tee and Shagba Or
But with the coming together of Tiv and Jukun, the office of the Tee and shagba Or
were replaced by drum chiefs also known as the Tor Agbande. From that time,
they became the rulers of Tiv and an elected Drum chief was given authority by
Aku of Wukari (Jukun king).
Tiv’s Economy
Tiv people were mostly farmers and yam is their major crop which they
supplement with the rearing of some domestic animals. Also during the period of
semi famine, they equally engaged in hunting and some of them that live around
river Benue and Katina also engaged in fishing as part time job. They also engaged
in long distance trade making serious contacts with their neighbours.
WEEK 3: THE IDOMA
The Idoma people inhabit the present day Benue state. They had their neighbours
as Tiv, Igede, Ogoja and Igala (and Igbo).
Part of their tradition has it that Idoma land was populated by immigrants from
Igala and Jukun who must have possibly came from Tiv and Igbo land.
Idoma people speak the Idoma language which has various dialects. There history
also has it that Iduh was their father whose children headed and established
different communities that make up Idoma people of today.
Economically, during the pre-colonial era, agriculture was their economic
pride/base. And they also planted crops like yam, cocoyam, guinea corn etc.
They also traded in varieties of indigenous art and craft. Just like many non-
centralized states, the Idoma, practised the partrilineal system which means that the
various clans were controlled by a male head. The family was seen as the smallest
unit, while the highest was the ojila or Ojira. It is the gathering of all adult males in
the community and they met to decide on condition of events in the land and
decision making was usually democratic.
WEEK 4: THE EBIRA
Oral tradition traces the origin of Ebira people to Wukari (in present day Taraba
state) but in about 1680, their ancestors migrated out of Wukari over a chieftaincy
dispute and sojourned with the Igala’s at Idah.
The Ebira consists one of the ethnic groups in the middle belt zone of Nigeria and
did not evolve any centralized form of leadership until the coming of the British
Colonial authorities (which brought the various Ebira Uans under the leadership of
Attah Omaelin in 1902) which marked the evolution of a monarchical form of
administration and the gradual development of central administration in Ebira land.
Located in the central senatorial district of Koji state, Ebira land has a land
mass of 3,426sq km and a population of 722,032 (as at 1991 census).
Ebira people are republican by nature, outspoken and very hardworking.
Farming and cloth weaving are their major occupation.
EBIRA ADMINISTRATION
The pre-colonial Ebira community was essentially segmentary, ie divided into
parts. It consisted of five principle clans namely; Okengwe, Eika, Okehi, Adari,
and Ihima. All headed by a priest. Each clan was self governing and did not regard
any other as superior to it. The clan was the main unit of political organization, and
the clan head was normally the oldest living male member of the clan. But his
political influence was quite small and he presided over meetings of his clan. His
judgment however was largely determined by the consensus of opinion of the
Elder.
Ebira Cultural Festivals
The Ebiras have several annual cultural festivals. Three of the most prominent
ones are:
1. Echaare (women festival). It is an annual masquerade festival celebrated
between April – June. Normally in the past it was during the festival that
betrothed girls were given away in marriage to their suitors.
2. Echeon: (New yam festival), during which traditional worshippers make
sacrifices in the secret groove of “ori” (deity) high up in the mountain to
show gratitude for a bountiful harvest. It was only after this festival that one
is allowed to eat or sell new yams in the market.
3. Ekuechi: This is a night masquerade festival marking the end of the Ebira
calendar year and the beginning of a new one. Ododo is popularly acclaimed
to be the initiator of this masquerade festival.
The Ebira people are presently spread in five local government areas of Kogi State
namely: Adari, Okene, Okehi, Ajaokuta and Ogoni-Magongo, and a sizeable
number is found in Lokoja Local Government Area and Oyo States.
Itaazi is known as the FATHER or progenitor of Ebira Tao people.
WEEK 5: THE IGBO
The Igbo’s today live in the following five pure Igbo states; Anambra, Imo, Enugu,
Abia and Ebonyi states. They can also be seen in other states like Delta, Cross
River, Beyelsa and Rivers state and in a very small number.
The Igbos largely did not evolve any centralized system of government until their
contact with the colonial masters except for few communities like; Aboh, Agbor,
Asaba, Onitsa, Nri, Oguta and Arochukwu who learnt the idea of kingship early
with their contact with Benin and Igala.
Origin
One version of their origin according to G.T. Basden, suggested that the Igbo’s
migrated from somewhere else like Egypt or anywhere in the Middle East. He
arrived at this conclusion after considering the similarities between the religious
and circumcision practices of the Igbo and those of the ancient Egyptian or the
Hebrews.
Others however are of the opinion that the Igbos have occupied their present
location as far back as time can tell. And it has also been believed by many that the
early igbo settlement started at Nri in Anambra State or Isuama in Imo State.
Social-political organization
Apart from the few communities that had kingship or monarchical system, the
major political organization that existed in Igboland was The village Republic.
The village republics were autonomous communities which managed their affairs
independent of one another, they were usually small in size and had thin
population. Outside the family organization, the Igbo’s had 4 main levels of
government namely:
1. The minimal lineage group (Umunna): This was made up of a number of
nuclear families which descended from the same father. The eldest in this
group is the Okpara, he presides the family meeting and he also holds the
“ofo” the symbol of truth and justice. All adult male members were free to
participate in the groups meeting.
2. The major lineage group (Ebo): This meetings were presided over by the
oldest of the heads of minimal lineage groups. Members of this group also
descended from a common ancestor. Each of the group meetings was a
council of the various minimal lineage groups. The meeting were mainly
concerned with offences against religion and public issue likely to cause
problems. Membership was open to all adult male. However, the group
decision were dominated by titleholders, wealthy and highly respected
persons.
3. The maximal lineage group (mba): This was the meeting point of people at
the village level. All adult male can attend the meeting of the village
assembly through heads of the various lower lineage groups (umunna). The
most senior of the major lineage (Ebo) usually presided over the meeting
which in most cases was an adhoc geners/meeting.
4. The village group (obodo): This was the highest level of government in Igbo
land. It was an autonomous mini-state. Member of the village group
assembly were usually representative of the villages (mba). The meeting was
presided over by the head of the senior village (mba). The assembly settles
issues of war and of peace.
Village (ogbe/obodo)
Maximal lineage (mba)
Major lineage (Ebo)
Minimal lineage (umunna)
Household or family (Ezina ulo)
Judicially, influential and intelligent individuals usually settle matters and in
extreme cases, the oracle is consulted and its decisions are final.
Age Grade in Igbo land
Age grade was organized on a village level. It is an association of people of the
same age bracket that grew from childhood and took a common name to
commemorate an event associated with the time of their birth. The non-centralized
communities organized themselves through the age grades for work, war and other
assignments. There are three categories of the Age grade in Igboland.
The younger age grade; clear paths and public places streams and equally
acts as the members of the vigilante group.
The adults age grade; enforced the elders’ decisions and in time of war
guarded the settlements and fought on the battle field. They collected fines
from offenders and they could demand new laws
The Elder age grade dealt with administration. Seniority was of great social
importance.
The age grade therefore does not only enforce discipline among themselves but
also guarded public morality. It was thus a society of companionship and
protection.
Oracle system in Igboland
The Igbo were also very religious people. They believed in the existence of the
Almighty God (Chukwu), they also believed in numerous lesser gods and spirits.
They had a great respect for the oracles as an organ through which the gods
communicated their decision to human beings. The oracle also serve as the court of
appeal (judicially) where decision is final.
The oracle was the strongest cultural organization binding the various Igbo
communities together as a cultural unit. Examples of these oracles included:- Ubini
Ukpabi (long Juju of Arochukwu) Amadioha (at ozuzu) Imo Awka (at Awka),
Omaliko (at Abatete), etc.
Economic Organization
The major economic activities of the Igbos are farming trading, metal work,
hunting, salt making, fishing, carving cloth weaving and pottery.
The Igbo people also related with their neighbours like Benin and Igala (Benin
imparted on their politics and Igala was based on Trade), Efik, Ibibio, Idoma etc.
WEEK 6: THE URHOBO (Found in present day Delta State).
The Urhobo tradition of origin has it that Urhobo people traces their origin from
three sources namely, The Edo country of Benin, Igboland and (Ijaw). The Urhobo
land falls within the evergreen forest belt dominated by the oil palm tree.
Social and political organization in Urhoboland.
The Urhobo have no history of a centralized political system. Both their social and
political system was based on the village system.
The smallest unit of social organization is the compound where the father
was the head
At the village level, there was the council of elders called Ekpako which
discus the affairs of the village. Each village also had the age grade system
called “otu” The age grades in Urhobo land included;
1. Otu Imitaye/otu emaha” (the smallest and youngest age grade). It is made up of
young boys upto the age of 15 years. Its duty was mainly to keep the village clean.
2. The Urbie or Evrawa: This is the next age grade and has members from age
15 – 35 years
3. Otu Ekpako: Comprising of elderly men of 50 years and above. This group
was led by the oldest man in the village, called the “okanro”. They are the
policy makers and formed majority of the village council. They also
performed judicial functions of the village. The Urhobo also have a powerful
title taking society called The ohonviwonem.
The largest socil-political unit was the clan Assembly. It was a collection of
villages and its assembly consisted of delegates from the different villages. The
assembly took important decisions which were beyond the village powers. The
clan council was led by its president “ovie” and assisted by the “otoba” the
spokesman of the council.
ECONOMY OF URHOBO
Urhobo is found in the mangrove swamp forest region with Izon and Itsekiri as
their neighbours. They engaged themselves in many economic activities like:
Farming, Fishing, Palm oil production, Canoe building, Hunting and Trading.
Urhobo and their neighbours
Urhobo also interact extensively with their neighbours like: Benin, Igbo land, Ijo,
Isekiri.
WEEK 8
IJO (IJAW)
The Ijaw people were among the earliest group that occupied the Niger Delta area
of present Nigeria. People found in this areas include; Brass, Nembe, Kalabari,
Bonny, and Warri. (present day; Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom).
Origin: Like many other non-centralized state, there are divsere versions of the
origin. Some claim Benin while others believe they might be removed from
Yoruba land or even Igbo land. They speak the ijo language.
Socio-political organization
The basic political unit in Ijaw was the Ibe (clan)- they are people who trace their
descent from one common ancestor. The various village were divided also into
wards (polo) and thi village/communities (known as city states) practiced what was
known as the House-system. It was a kind of trading corporation which had the
lineage head as its executive head. Thus, the environment and economy largely
affected political development in the territory. Also, secret societies were
important features in the political system and the most important of the secret
society was the Ekine; mostly found in Nembe and Kalabari.
IJAW ECONOMY:
Ijaw people were mainly known for; Fihing, Hunting, Gathering of product of the
riverline environment, coy distance trade, (dealing on item like; salt, snail, Fish
etc).They also participated in the Atlantic slave trade (sales of human beings across
the atlantic to Europeans. And the major centers of slaves supply were; Ohambele,
Ndoki,-igbo and Aboh. The was organized on the credit system known as "trust
system". The slaves were exchanged for European clothes, gun and gun powder,
etc.
