Nigerian History & Culture

Slave Trade 1400’s – 1807 Africans sell other Africans Trade for alcohol, weapons & goods Many Igbo get rich

Strategy Change Slave trade abolished in 1807 Europeans change strategy Use Africa for natural resources Carve continent up into colonies –The Berlin Conference

Strategy Change Great Britain claims area around Niger River

“Civilizing” Africa Many Europeans see “civilizing” the Africans as a duty Claim they are bringing religion and the modern way to justify the greed

3-Prong Attack Missionaries –Convert outcasts (osu) –Convert women Trade –British trade palm oil in exchange for goods Government –Bring in District Commissioners –Set up own police and courts

Igbo Culture Agricultural community –Yams = men –Cassava, beans, other crops = women

Family Units –Multiple wives –Each family has own compound Patriarchal Society –Men have power & women are property –Wife-beating is common

Democratic Government –Ruled by elders (ndichie) and men chosen to receive titles –Decisions made by clansmen Gods –Animist: recognize a number of gods that embody the forces of nature –Oracles: priestesses whose job it is to speak for a god

Ancestors –Though dead, they have voices –Egwugwu: men disguised by mask and costumes that embody the spirits of the ancestors