How do primitive tribal societies govern themselves? The Igbo are a tribe that live in West Africa, primarily southern Nigeria. They are traditionally farmers that commune in small villages that make up a clan. The Igbo live in a society where death is common and surviving is a highly valued skill among their society. This rugged lifestyle where survival is dependant on the competence of each individual has helped shape Igbo culture and government.
There are 2 types of government found among Igbo tribal communities: a direct democracy, and a monarchy. A direct democracy is different than the indirect democracy we have in America, because unlike Americans the Igbo do not elect representatives; instead each member of a village is able to vote on a clan decision rather than electing someone to make decisions for them. According to africaguide.com “Decisions are made by including almost everyone in the village. There are established institutions such as a council of elders (a groups based on age), a council of chiefs, women's associations, and secret societies”1. Because there are many people in a clan hearing the voice of each individual without using representatives would require them to break up into their own societies in order to make decisions more efficiently. Monarchies were more common among the Igbo than democracies; most villages would have a male and female monarch. According to encyclopedia.com “The obi (male monarch) is theoretically the father of the whole community, and the omu (female monarch) is theoretically the mother of the whole community; the duties of the latter, however, center mainly around the female side of the community”2. Having a male and female monarch ties in with Igbo spiritual beliefs and the idea that both males and females should be represented among leaders. Titles are like school degrees in Igbo culture, they indicate status and are gained through achievements. …show more content…
There are usually 5 titles that can be acquired through successes that proves your ability to survive and benefit the clan. In the book Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe writes, “he had a large barn full of yams and he had 3 wives. And now he was going to take the Idemili title, the 3rd highest in the land” (6). In Igbo culture those who gain titles and respect fall in line with Darwinism and survival of the fittest, proving you are valuable to the clan's survival will earn you more wives allowing people with titles to produce more offspring than people without titles. Unlike many societies that follow ancient traditions the Igbo do not have a caste system, which means your parents roles in society don’t have to correspond with your own role. Achebe writes “ Okonkwo who had risen so suddenly from great poverty and misfortune to be one of the lords of the clan” (26). In Things Fall Apart Okonkwo’s father is considered to be someone of very low status; however, Okonkwo was able to work his way to the top of his community and gain his own individual status. This mean any Igbo can have a powerful role in their community, if they earn it. When the Europeans began to colonize West Africa their influence greatly impacted Igbo culture and government. The Europeans introduced the concept that the Igbo are separate ethnic identity from other tribes in West Africa, and the idea that women are subservient to men along with
There are 2 types of government found among Igbo tribal communities: a direct democracy, and a monarchy. A direct democracy is different than the indirect democracy we have in America, because unlike Americans the Igbo do not elect representatives; instead each member of a village is able to vote on a clan decision rather than electing someone to make decisions for them. According to africaguide.com “Decisions are made by including almost everyone in the village. There are established institutions such as a council of elders (a groups based on age), a council of chiefs, women's associations, and secret societies”1. Because there are many people in a clan hearing the voice of each individual without using representatives would require them to break up into their own societies in order to make decisions more efficiently. Monarchies were more common among the Igbo than democracies; most villages would have a male and female monarch. According to encyclopedia.com “The obi (male monarch) is theoretically the father of the whole community, and the omu (female monarch) is theoretically the mother of the whole community; the duties of the latter, however, center mainly around the female side of the community”2. Having a male and female monarch ties in with Igbo spiritual beliefs and the idea that both males and females should be represented among leaders. Titles are like school degrees in Igbo culture, they indicate status and are gained through achievements. …show more content…
There are usually 5 titles that can be acquired through successes that proves your ability to survive and benefit the clan. In the book Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe writes, “he had a large barn full of yams and he had 3 wives. And now he was going to take the Idemili title, the 3rd highest in the land” (6). In Igbo culture those who gain titles and respect fall in line with Darwinism and survival of the fittest, proving you are valuable to the clan's survival will earn you more wives allowing people with titles to produce more offspring than people without titles. Unlike many societies that follow ancient traditions the Igbo do not have a caste system, which means your parents roles in society don’t have to correspond with your own role. Achebe writes “ Okonkwo who had risen so suddenly from great poverty and misfortune to be one of the lords of the clan” (26). In Things Fall Apart Okonkwo’s father is considered to be someone of very low status; however, Okonkwo was able to work his way to the top of his community and gain his own individual status. This mean any Igbo can have a powerful role in their community, if they earn it. When the Europeans began to colonize West Africa their influence greatly impacted Igbo culture and government. The Europeans introduced the concept that the Igbo are separate ethnic identity from other tribes in West Africa, and the idea that women are subservient to men along with