14 Questions
The Oba (king) is an absolute ruler with divine ______ authority.
authority
Kingship rotates among several ______ houses.
royal
Ile-Ife became the spiritual ______ of the Yoruba.
motherland
The ______ checked the Oba's powers.
institutions
The ______ administered the quarters, villages, the towns and other domains on his behalf.
subordinate chiefs
The ______ of women are assured as their leader is an official member of the council of chiefs.
rights
Yoruba settlement had the ______'s palace in the centre.
Oba's
Marriage among the Yoruba was not a mere event between two ______ but an event involving two previously unrelated families.
individuals
Apart from ______, the Yoruba were also traders and craftsmen.
farming
The Yoruba operate ______ societies.
patrilineal
The ______ form of labour mobilisation was reciprocal in that farmer who was assisted to weed his farm or build his house today would be called upon tomorrow to render similar service.
aaro
The Igbo have a unique ______.
culture
Generally speaking, even strangers did have access to land for ______ purposes through Isakole(i.e., land rent) charge.
farming
Polygamy is a common ______ among the Yoruba.
feature
Study Notes
Ile-Ife and Yoruba Culture
- Ile-Ife developed a centralized state system, complex artistic and craftsmanship abilities, socio-cultural and religious practices, and economic versatility.
- It became a cultural and political model for other Yoruba communities, which replicated the Ife model in their territories.
- Ile-Ife is considered the spiritual motherland of the Yoruba.
Yoruba Political System
- The Yoruba political system is complex, with an absolute ruler (Oba) who has divine authority, but their powers are checked by various institutions.
- The council of chiefs (Oyomesi or Ilu), Ogboni society, Ifa divination, and sometimes mass rebellion or rejection of the Oba's authority can limit their powers.
- The Oba's authority is not absolute, and they can be deposed by the council of chiefs.
- Kingship rotates among several royal houses, and the son of a reigning king cannot succeed his father.
Social Life
- Yoruba settlement had the Oba's palace in the center, with village heads (Baale) subject to the king through his chiefs.
- Lineage heads (Baale and Mogaji) administer the quarters and wards, but are subject to the immediate higher head.
- Youths and quarter children have their roles and rights, and the rights of women are assured through their leader (Iyalode), an official member of the council of chiefs.
- Marriage is not a mere event between two individuals but involves two previously unrelated families.
- Polygamy is a common feature among the Yoruba, and they operate patrilineal societies.
Economic Life
- Apart from farming, the Yoruba were also traders and craftsmen.
- Cooperative efforts used in farming include 'aaro' and 'owe', which involve reciprocal labor mobilization.
- Drumming and feasting would normally follow after the execution of an 'owe' or 'aaro' task.
- Strangers have access to land for farming purposes through Isakole (land rent) charge.
Igbo Culture
- The Igbo have a unique culture with three versions of their origin.
THE IGBO CULTURE The Igbo have a unique culture. There are three versions on the origin of the Igbo. The first version says the Igbo migrated from the Middle East to their present location. 2. The second version says they have been in their present location in eastern Nigeria from the beginning. 3. The third version says they descended from the sky. The language of the Igbo belongs to the Niger-Congo family. The Igbo people thrived in the Igbo-Ukwu art culture while they cherished Arochukwu in the spiritual realm. The Igbo people consider BIRTH, MARRIAGE AND BURIAL as the three most important family events. Their traditional marriage, known as igbankwuis not just an affair between the future husband and wife, it involves parents, the extended family and the whole village. The would-be groom parent will bring palm wine and kolanuts to the bride’s family and other items such as goats, chickens etc as requested by the family. Nevertheless, the wedding ceremony varies from village to village. Birth is also celebrated among the Igbo but the naming ceremony is usually performed on the 28th day. Also, many customs surround the burial rites such as paying last respect to the dead, singing traditional songs and traditional dances, acrobatic displays by masquerades, etc. The village of Igbo-Ukwu is the harbinger of the oldest known sculpture from Igboland. In that village (Igbo-Ukwu), there was an excavation of the grave of a man of some importance and wealth dating back to the 9th Century which produced some of the earliest bronze castings, glass beads, bowls and ornaments. The objects found at Igbo-Ukwu are also for ritual as well as secular purposes. The objects found at this site were a large collection of objects and regalia mostly made through the “lost wax” technique and others made through smiting and casting method. In terms of style, the artefacts found at Igbo-Ukwu are not similar to the Bini, Ife or any other Nigerian arts; they are originally local in shape and content. The findings at this site indicate a very well developed economy with surplus to engage in artistic production. The Igbo political system is a segmentary system of governance where you have hierarchy of power from the family to the age group and to special titles. This power is often distributed among the following title holders: Ozo, Ichie, Mazi, Ozioko, Nze, Diokpa, Isi, Okpara, Ezejiand a few others. Similarly, others that hold powers include priests, elders, diviners, medicine men, the Okparas, members of secret society and age grades. They all have recognized roles to play within the Igbo political set up.
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