Things Fall Apart -- background

Igbo-Ukwu

one fo first complex societies that arose in Western Africa, believed to have started in 900 CE, by the 12th century had well organized trade networks with other African states

Youruba Empire Time periods

State of Ife, Kingdom of Benin, Kingdom of Oya

State of Ife:

1100 CE, center of trade— ivory, gold, pepper, kola nuts, slaves

Kingdom of Benin:

1500 CE, not much known

Kingdom of Oya:

prominent city→ vast empire, 15th century surpassed Ife in terms of power but Ife was still a prosperous center of religion

What religion became prominent in Northern Nigeria in the 15th century?

Islam, through the trans-Saharan trade route

What group came to Nigeria in 1850?

Christian missionaries

The history of Nigeria is tied to what trade?

The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

1480:

Items like pepper, ivory, cloth and slaves were exchanged for Portuguese gold

1750 and onwards:

Dutch and British got involved with the slave trade (Dutch dominated in the 17th century, British in the 18th century)

1833:

abolishment of the slave trade

1840s:

slavery expanded despite abolishment

1901:

Nigeria became a British protectorate

1960:

Nigeria gained independence, followed by three years of political, economic, ethnic, cultural, and religious tensions

1963:

Nigeria established a republic, followed by a bloody coup d’etat led by a general to establish military rule

1967:

Three year Biafran War

Biafran War

war between the government of Nigeria and the Republic of Biafra, which was a nation of seperatists that represented the nationalist aspirations of the Igbo people

1979:

Nigeria became a republic again, with a constitution, followed by a ten year military rule

1993:

Talk of a new Nigerian republic, shot down by military general Sani Abacha

1998:

Nigeria officially becomes a republic

Igbo:

one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, many regional dialects of the language. Most work as craftsmen, farmers, and traders.

Most important traditional crop to the Igbo people

Yams

How were Igbo governments run?

their communities were ruled solely by a republican consultative assembly of the common people. “Men of title” have a say in the community

How was masking used in Igbo culture?

Masks were used in social satires, religious rituals, secret society initiations, and public festivals. The masks are a common art style in Igbo culture, usually made of either wood or fabric

1857:

Christianity via European Missionaries was first introduced to the Igbo tribe

How did Christian missionaries end up converting most of the Igbo tribe?

Through building schools to indoctrinate the children

Odinani

the traditional Igbo religion

Chukwu

“Great Spirit”, the supreme deity that created the world and everything in it

What are the four different parts of Odinani?

all four elements come from the Cosmos:

• Okike: creation

• Alusi: supernatuarl forces/deities

• Mmuo: spirits

• Uwa: world

What are all the steps to marriage in Igbo culture?

1. ask young woman’s consent, introduction to each other’s families

2. testing the bride’s character/checking her background

3. paying her wealth, typically through things like kola nuts, wine, goats, etc.

Chi:

your personal god or spirit, that some believe can control your destiny

How was Igbo society structured?

there are titled and untitled citizens, titles were earned and a great measure of respect

Egwugwu:

Titled men

Osu:

the social outcasts, not allowed ot cut their hair and not a part of Igbo society