Igbo people
The Igbo people are one of Nigeria's largest ethnic groups, predominantly residing in the southeastern region of the country, known as Igboland. They speak the Igbo language and are culturally diverse, with many subgroups connected by shared traditions and folklore. Historically, the Igbo were primarily engaged in agriculture and trade, cultivating staple crops such as yams, cassava, and rice, though contemporary Igbo also participate in various sectors, including business and industry, particularly following the discovery of oil in Nigeria.
Traditionally, the Igbo have a rich cultural heritage that includes distinct clothing, music, storytelling, and crafts. Their religion is polytheistic, centered around a supreme god named Chukwu Abiama, along with many minor deities tied to natural elements. A notable aspect of Igbo identity is the belief among some that they are descendants of the Lost Tribes of Israel, a claim rooted in cultural practices and family narratives, although this connection has been met with skepticism.
In modern times, many Igbo have adopted Christianity, while a smaller group practices Judaism, facing challenges such as persecution from other religious communities. The Igbo have also experienced social and political tensions, leading to calls for greater recognition and, in some cases, secession from Nigeria.
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Igbo people
The Igbo people are a group that lives in southeast Nigeria, which is located on the western coast of Africa. Estimates of the number of Igbo vary widely, but they represent the third-largest ethnic group in Nigeria. While there are many subgroups of Igbo and their homeland is divided in two by the Niger River, the people are united by a single language, also called Igbo. Some Igbo also share a belief that they are descended from the Lost Tribes of Israel.
Background
Nigeria is Africa's most populous country. It is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the most populous and politically influential are the Hausa and the Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo. The Igbo are a collection of culturally diverse subgroups of people who share a language and live in the same general area, known as Igboland. Igboland encompasses about 15,800 square miles (41,000 square kilometers) with varied geographical features. The Igbo live in small villages that are scattered throughout this land.
The historical origin of the Igbo is uncertain. The Igbo have little in the way of a shared oral or written tradition explaining their origin. Ancestral folklore of the Igbo includes stories explaining a vast array of occurrences and situations, from natural events such as sunrise and sunset to how their ancestors interact with those still living. Historians have developed several theories thought to explain where the Igbo originated. One is that they have always lived right where they are and are indigenous to the area. It is believed the area known as Nigeria was inhabited since the Paleolithic period from 500,000 to 9000 BCE.
Another theory about the origin of the Igbo is that their ancestors migrated from the Middle East or areas to the north and west of Igboland in the fourteenth or fifteenth centuries. Interactions with Portuguese explorers beginning in the middle of the 1400s establish that the Igbo were in Nigeria by this time. Many Igbo were caught up in the slave trade and sent to the New World by Europeans. The fate of the area remained in the hands of various European nations until 1960, at which time it was a British colony. Nigeria became independent from British rule on October 1, 1960.
Overview
Historically, the Igbo were farmers or engaged in trade. Their economy has largely been dependent on root crops such as yams, taro, and cassava. These crops, as well as other starches such as rice and maize (corn), are incorporated into many of the dishes enjoyed by the Igbo. In contemporary times, the Igbo engaged in business and entrepreneurship and, like many others, also made a living working for others in fields such as construction and the oil industry. The discovery of oil in Nigeria in 1956 drastically changed life for many, including the Igbo. While the Igbo traditionally lived in homes with mud walls and thatched roofs, the increased wealth brought by the oil industry meant a change to cement walls with metal roofs as well as the introduction of amenities such as running water and electricity.
Traditional Igbo dress consists of a decorative cotton robe worn over a long shirt. The quality of the clothing varied depending on the occasion, with locally prepared cotton being used for everyday clothing and imported batik-dyed fabric used for special occasions. The formal dress for women is called a danshiki. In the past, it was customary for women to wear special garments that showed their marital status and number of children, but this has been largely abandoned. Contemporary Igbo most often wear clothing like that worn in the United States and other Western countries.
Igbo men are often skilled woodcarvers. Women engage in many crafts that result in household items, such as pottery, weaving, spinning, and basketry. Both genders historically enjoyed storytelling, dancing, singing, and playing music. In contemporary times, there has been an increased emphasis on entertainment, such as listening to rock and rap music and watching television.
Traditional Igbo religion is polytheistic, with many minor gods being subservient to a supreme god known as Chukwu Abiama. Many of the minor gods are responsible for various aspects of nature, such as the sun, earth, rain, and fertility. Traditional Igbo beliefs also include spirits that live in the forest and rivers at the edge of the civilized areas of their homeland and who will treat people well or ill, depending on how the spirits are treated. In contemporary times, many Igbo have become Christian.
A small number of Igbo practice Judaism and believe they are descended from one of the Lost Tribes of Israel. The Lost Tribes refers to a group of the original Israelites who disappeared from written history sometime after 722 BCE. These beliefs are based on family stories told in some Igbo clans and on some similarities between Igbo practices and those of observant Jews. These include circumcising, or removing the foreskin from the penis, of baby boys on the eighth day after they are born; seven-day mourning periods for the dead; celebrating weddings under canopies; and the belief that some foods are unclean and should not be consumed. Some historians point out that the Igbo observed these practices before they were introduced to European customs and Christian or Jewish sacred texts. Some believe that the word Igbo may be a mispronunciation of the word Hebrew. Some Igbo have undergone DNA testing in an effort to prove a connection to Israeli Jews; these tests have not demonstrated a connection, but many Igbo continue to practice Judaism and believe they are part of the Lost Tribes.
The claim has been met with skepticism on some fronts, including among Israeli Jews. Igbo Jews have been the subject of persecution from other religious denominations in their area. In the early twenty-first century, the larger Igbo population has also been engaged in disputes with neighboring communities, such as the Hausa. Some of these disputes have turned violent. Reports also indicated that at least some in the Igbo community continued to voice marginalization issues and favor secession.
Bibliography
Chuku, Gloria. Igbo Women and Economic Transformation in Southeastern Nigeria, 1900–1960. Taylor & Francis, 2005.
Cole, Herbert. Igbo: Visions of Africa Series. 5Continents, 2013.
Eneze, Reuben. Igbo Culture. AuthorHouse, 2016.
"History of Nigeria." Federal Republic of Nigeria, www.nigeria.gov.ng/index.php/2016-04-06-08-38-30/history-of-nigeria. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.
"Nigeria." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.
"Nigeria Virtual Jewish History Tour." Jewish Virtual Library, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/nigeria-virtual-jewish-history-tour. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.
Nwonwu, Chiagozie. "Biafra Quest Fuels Nigeria Conflict: Too Scared to Marry and Bury Bodies." BBC News, 8 Jan. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64110852. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.
Oduah, Chika. "Nigeria's Igbo Jews: 'Lost Tribe of Israel?'" CNN, 4 Feb. 2013, www.cnn.com/2013/02/01/world/africa/nigeria-jews-igbo/index.html. Accessed 9 Oct. 2017.