I'd teach you something.
The people that didn't understand or misconstrued @sugabelly are just a little uninformed.
She made a case for the dichotomy between Pre-colonial Igbo political/social institutions (in respect to women) and those of the post-colonial times.
I'l explain
The people that didn't understand or misconstrued @sugabelly are just a little uninformed.
She made a case for the dichotomy between Pre-colonial Igbo political/social institutions (in respect to women) and those of the post-colonial times.
I'l explain
If you read Basden's colonial works. Like other Brit writers,they wrote about the Igbo women in the same eyes which they saw their European women
Not until the American Progressive era of 1890s, with the 'fight' for European women's inclusion.
To work, to have their own identity!
Not until the American Progressive era of 1890s, with the 'fight' for European women's inclusion.
To work, to have their own identity!
Igbo women never needed to 'fight' for such to that extent. It was an Igbo thing for a women to be at par with her male counterparts.
See instances
1) Agriculture and Economic Control:
Women had more rights. Owned more properties.Dictated prices.
Few men sold in the market..
See instances
1) Agriculture and Economic Control:
Women had more rights. Owned more properties.Dictated prices.
Few men sold in the market..
But women headed markets, and sales would not begin until the 'Onyi Isi' took her seat.
They planted more crops(that men could not plant).That women were not 'allowed' some things, like planting yam, or climbing palm trees, didn't translate to inferiority
They owned Properties..
They planted more crops(that men could not plant).That women were not 'allowed' some things, like planting yam, or climbing palm trees, didn't translate to inferiority
They owned Properties..
They had their lands.
(Let's not forget that the 'might was right culture's was prevalent in the world then)
2) Matriarchy in Igboland:
Places like Ohafia practice a lineage system through the women. Generations were dependent on women. It's prevalence has reduced now.
(Let's not forget that the 'might was right culture's was prevalent in the world then)
2) Matriarchy in Igboland:
Places like Ohafia practice a lineage system through the women. Generations were dependent on women. It's prevalence has reduced now.
3) The Mikiri System: This was a quasi court where women tried men for abusing their wives or any woman at all.
If found guilty, their roofs are razed down. They beat the men to stupor.
They didn't need permissions from their husbands.
Igbo women attended village meetings...
If found guilty, their roofs are razed down. They beat the men to stupor.
They didn't need permissions from their husbands.
Igbo women attended village meetings...
And spoke at meetings with men present.
The 1929 Women's war gives you a hint of the kind of women we had.
4) Igbo women as custodians of Culture, Spiritual powers: The popular 'egwu amala' practice was handled by women of Ogboru. Men listened as they spoke!
The 1929 Women's war gives you a hint of the kind of women we had.
4) Igbo women as custodians of Culture, Spiritual powers: The popular 'egwu amala' practice was handled by women of Ogboru. Men listened as they spoke!
5) Female Kings: Who didn't know Ahebi Ugbabe of Enugu Ezike? Famed for her command of many languages rose to become a King in Enugu.
Read Nwado Achebe's book (The Female King)
6) Umu Ada : This was the strongest political cum social Institution. The Umunna dreaded it.
Read Nwado Achebe's book (The Female King)
6) Umu Ada : This was the strongest political cum social Institution. The Umunna dreaded it.
Christianity came wth a male dominating doctrine adding to the new European patriarchial domination
It kind of distorted all practices
Igbo women had power and authority.They possessed properties.Wives weren't buried in their husband's house but their mother's place!
Get it!
It kind of distorted all practices
Igbo women had power and authority.They possessed properties.Wives weren't buried in their husband's house but their mother's place!
Get it!
