30 Questions
What was the king's role in the government of the Oyo Empire?
To seek the advice of the council of the Oyomesi
What was the principle of inheritance in the Oyo Empire?
Patrilineality
Who was the head of the empire's judiciary?
OnaEfa
What was the role of the Oyomesi in the Oyo Empire?
To provide advice to the Alaafin
Who was in charge of the finances of the empire?
OsiEfa
What was the nature of the government of the Oyo Empire?
Monarchical
What was the duty of the Waziri in the emirate system?
The Emir’s administrative adviser and Prime Minister
What was the primary purpose of collecting taxes in the emirate system?
To generate funds for the treasury
What was the basis of the Kharaj tax?
Annual yield or production
What was the role of the Maaji in the emirate system?
The officer in-charge of the treasury
What was the basis of the Jangali tax?
Livestock or animal tax
What was the Aare-Ona-Kakanfo forbidden from doing in the Old Oyo Empire?
Entering the capital city
What was the basis of the judicial administration of the emirates?
Sharia laws
Who were responsible for collecting taxes in their area of domain in the Old Oyo Empire?
Obas and Baales
What was the role of the cult of Sango in the Old Oyo Empire?
To check the excesses of any recalcitrant Alaafin
What was the system of government in the Traditional Yoruba Political system?
Constitutional monarchy
What was a characteristic of the pre-colonial administration in Igbo land?
A diffusion of political authority into different groups
What is a characteristic of the Igbo political organization in the pre-colonial era?
Acephalous
Why did the Oba and his senior chiefs meet regularly in the Traditional Yoruba Political system?
To discuss issues that would promote peace, success and good governance
What was the function of the Council of Elders in the pre-colonial Igbo society?
To advise the paramount chief
What was the main function of the Secret Societies in the pre-colonial Igbo society?
To perform rituals to ward off evil spirits
What was the role of the Paramount Chiefs in the pre-colonial Igbo society?
To act as the supreme ruler of their communities
What was the purpose of the Age Grades in the pre-colonial Igbo society?
To assist in the governance of the community
What was the role of the Religious Organizations in the pre-colonial Igbo society?
To perform religious functions
What was the main difference in the governmental system of the Hausa-Fulani empire and the Yoruba kingdom?
The Hausa-Fulani was centralized, while the Yoruba was semi-centralized
What was the role of the Council of elders in the Ibo political system?
They collectively took decisions with the title holders and age grade
Who was responsible for appointing officials in the Yoruba kingdom?
The Oba
What was the basis of the governmental system in the Yoruba kingdom?
Customs and tradition of the people
What was the role of the age grade societies in the Ibo political system?
They played a significant role in the decision-making process
What did the Yoruba Obas receive from the villages?
Tributes and other dues
Study Notes
Pre-Colonial Igbo Political Organization
- The Igbo political organization in the pre-colonial era was described as acephalous, meaning it had no central authority.
- There were several groups that shared political authority, including village elders, age grades, Ozo and Ofo title holders, and diviners.
Political Institutions in Pre-Colonial Societies
- Paramount chiefs:
- Acted as supreme rulers of their communities
- Performed religious functions as high priests
- Controlled commerce and trade
- Performed legislative functions of law-making
- Ensured the defense of their communities
- Council of Elders:
- Installed and deposed paramount chiefs
- Acted as adviser to the paramount chief
- Ensured the maintenance of law and order
- Recognized age grades and assigned duties to them
- Acted as the law-making body
- Secret Societies:
- Performed rituals to ward off evil spirits
- Checked abuse of power by paramount chiefs and council of elders
- Educated their members and the community
Pre-Colonial Administration in the Emirates
- Officials in the Emirates included:
- Waziri: Senior official and administrative adviser (Prime Minister)
- Madawaki: Commander of the army or cavalry
- Galadima: Administrator of the capital
- Sarkin Fada: Head of palace workers
- Sarkin Yan Doka: Chief of police
- Maaji: Officer in charge of the treasury
- Sarkin Ruwa: Official in charge of fishing
- Sarkin Pawa: Officer in charge of butchers
- Yari: Officer in charge of the prison
- Taxes collected in the Emirates included:
- Kharaj: Land tax based on annual yield
- Jangali: Tax on livestock
- Lizya: Tax on subjects (slaves, aliens, or strangers)
- Zakat: Tax on movable properties to provide alms for the poor
- Judicial administration was based on Sharia laws, dealing with marriage, divorce, inheritance, debt, custody of children, slander, etc.
Comparison of Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba Pre-Colonial Political Systems
- Hausa-Fulani system: centralized, ruled by an Emir, with absolute executive, legislative, and judicial powers
- Yoruba system: semi-centralized, headed by an Oba, with a system of checks and balances
Pre-Colonial Administration in Yorubaland (Oyo Empire)
- Oyo Empire was monarchical in nature, with a system of government based on the principle of inheritance (patrilineality)
- Government thrived along four major organs: the king (Alaafin), the council of Oyomesi, the army general, and provincial administrators
- The Alaafin had to seek the advice of the Oyomesi, but was not compelled to accept it
- Other officials included OtunEfa (head of the deity of Sango), OnaEfa (head of the judiciary), OsiEfa (head of finances), etc.
Features of the Traditional Yoruba Political System
- Based on constitutional monarchy
- Existence of a council of senior chiefs
- Informal system of taxation (tributes in form of labor, yam, kolanuts, and animals)
- System of checks and balances within the political system
- Oba as the paramount ruler
- Regular meetings between the Oba and senior chiefs to discuss issues promoting peace, success, and good governance
This quiz covers the roles and responsibilities of various officials in the emir's administration, including the Waziri, Madawaki, Galadima, and Sarkin Fada. Learn about the duties of each official and their importance in the emir's council. Test your knowledge of traditional African leadership structures!
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