Thomas Maduena
Mrs. Aisola
English 4
December 16, 2012
Unconventional Culture of the Ibo People in Nigeria The Ibo people, traditionally known as Igbo, are one of the largest and most significant ethnic groups of Southern Nigeria (Igboland). Their culture and traditions are so diverse because their group is fragmented into subgroups. Chinua Achebe explains the tough and cultural ways of the Ibo people in his novel Things Fall Apart. Their customs can be compared but, nevertheless they have kept their traditions stayed the same throughout their history. Origin; Ibo people originated in the Kingdom of Nri. “Nri Kingdom in the Awka area is the cradle of Igbo civilization and culture” (destee.com) It is also one of the most oldest Nigerian kingdoms. Although Nri people were a different group, they influenced the traditional Igbo people with their customs and practices. “There is a little bit of Nri in all of us...Igbo is Nri and Nri is Igbo...you are Nri and Nri is you...” (destee.com) The orgin of the Igbo people can be argued about, but no doubt the originated from the Nri People. Traditional Society; Although some ill-informed people would only see that the Ibo people are very primitive and barbaric, they had their own form of government, leadership, and economy. “The basic unit of Igbo life was the village group…family head” (qub.ac.uk) The “family head” or modern colloquial, the man of the house, would be the older male, In most cases the father. He settled all issues within and outside his family, and was the one to
Maduena 2 talk to higher members of the clan or in the village. “Social status is based on wealth, regardless of occupation. The Igbo distinguish between obgenye or mbi (the poor), dinkpa (the moderately prosperous), and nnukwu madu or ogaranya (the rich). “ (everyculture.com) Titles were a major role in every