Purple Hibiscus Research: Igbo Ethnic Group

The Igbo ethnic group is one of the largest groups on the African continent that consists mostly of southeastern Nigerians. There are only myths and old stories that can be traced in order to learn more about the Igbo origin and their roots. It is suspected that this ethnic group has Jewish ancestors because of the many overlapping traditions, customs, rituals, and religions. 

The Igbo ethnic group is polytheistic and believes that gods transcend beyond their traditional positions. The supreme God, Chukwu, is often linked to the sky and more importantly, the Sun. Because of the Sun's importance to the Igbo people, it's often referred to as God's "eye."

The Igbo people widely share a loosely spoken language together that traces back from the Benue-Congo branch. Because they use natural geography as natural separation, their group often gets broken into different divisions such as northern, eastern, wester, southern, northeastern, or Cross River. Between these different regions differences between traditions and practices often occur. The Igbo people are traditionally craftsmen, traders, and farmers. As farmers, their staple crops consisted of mostly corn, beans, yam, and okra. The land for farming, livestock, and living was shared between each community along with the work and goods produced.

In the pre-colonial period, the Igbo had a more fixed heterarchical social structure with titleholders towards the top. The titleholders gained respect for their accomplishments and position but were never compared to kings. Titleholders were meant to help the community flourish to its full potential and make assemblies the most efficient and functional for the society. They were not allowed to create laws or pass new decrees which were typically allowed for people with similar positions throughout other African ethnic groups. The Igbo ethnic group initially agreed to allow God to take place of the judicial authority. They would take deaths as bad omens and other similar signs to interpret God's say on a matter.

After the British arrived in Nigeria in the 1870s, the people's sense of ethnic identity and independence grew and brought them all together. As more ethnic groups died and became stifled by the Europeans, the Igbo seemed to become distinctly different from all of the previously similar surrounding ethnic groups. By 1967, Eastern Nigeria became recognized as an independent nation and by the 21st century between 20 and 30 million people made up this ethnic group.

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New World Encyclopedia contributors. “Igbo People.” New World Encyclopedia, New World Encyclopedia, ., 2018, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Igbo_People.