Hubbry Logo
search
logo
1900477

Igboland

logo
Community Hub0 Subscribers
Write something...
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
See all
Igboland

Igbo land (Standard Igbo: Àlà Ị̀gbò) is a cultural and common linguistic region in southeastern Nigeria which is the indigenous homeland of the Igbo people. Geographically, it is divided into two sections, eastern (the larger of the two) and western. Its population is characterized by the diverse Igbo culture.

Politically, Igboland is divided into several southern Nigerian states; culturally, it has included several subgroupings, including the Awka-Enugu-Nsukka, Anioma-Enuani, the Umueri-Aguleri-Anam groups, the Ngwa, the Orlu-Okigwe-Owerri communities, the Mbaise, the Ezza, Bende, the Ikwuano-Umuahia (these include Ohuhu, Ubakala, Oboro, Ibeku, etc.), the Omuma, the Abam-Aro-Ohafia (Abiriba and Nkporo), the Waawa, the Ndoki, the Etche, the Ekpeye, and the Ogba.

Igboland is surrounded on all sides by large rivers, and other southern and central Nigeria indigenous tribes, namely Igala, Tiv, Yako, Idoma and Ibibio. In the words of William B. Baikie:

Igbo settlement, extends east and west in the Niger-Delta region which is owned by the Middle-Belt, formerly known as Bendel, from the Old Kalabar river to the banks of the Kwora, Niger River, and live in some territory at Aboh, to the west-ward of the latter stream. On the north it borders on Igara, Igala and A'kpoto, and it is separated from the sea only by petty tribes, all of which trace their origin to this great race.

It is primarily situated in the Lowland forest region of Nigeria. They can also be found in some parts of the Niger-Delta. Here the Niger river fans out into the Atlantic Ocean in a vast network of creeks and mangrove swamps on the Bight of Bonny.

The earliest found settlements in Igboland date to 900 BCE in the central area, from where the majority of the Igbo-speaking population is believed to have migrated. The northern Igbo Kingdom of Nri, which rose around the 10th century CE, is credited with the foundation of much of Igboland's culture, customs, and religious practices. It is the oldest existing monarchy in present-day Nigeria. In southern Igboland several groups developed, of which the most notable was the Aro Confederacy and in Western Igboland the Anioma kingdom of Aboh.

During the late 19th century, Igboland was made part of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate of the British Empire and was amalgamated into modern-day Nigeria in 1914. Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Shortly afterward, Igboland was involved in its biggest war during Biafra's movement for secession. It ended in 1970, when the war was declared "No victory, no vanquish".

Historically, Igboland has taken up a large part of southeastern Nigeria, mostly on the eastern side of the Niger River. Their territory extends westward across the Niger to the regions of Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ukwuani, and Ika in present-day Delta State. Its eastern side is terminated by the Cross River, although micro-communities exist over on the other side of the river; its northernmost point enters the Savannah climate around Nsukka.

See all
User Avatar
No comments yet.