Unlike what the Western world may think, in the various Igbo societies that sit on both sides of the lower Niger, women occupy a central niche and are awarded their fair share of power and influence within the village structure.

Through various traditional social organizations that exist in the societies of the people otherwise known as the Igbo, the balance of power between men and women has been regulated and kept in harmony for centuries prior to the advent of Westerners. Unlike what is commonly believed, the intrusion of the Europeans into Igbo societies diminished the role of women more than anything else. In belieiving that the people they encountered treated women as second to men, just like they did, early European anthropologic writers described the Igbo socieites as male-run. This initial misconception ultimately resulted in the formation of a colonial political structure that failed to fully accomodate women. At the same time, the arrival of Westerners did result in some positive changes in the lives of Igbo women. In the Cross River region of Igboland, European missionaries abolished the practice of nkpe, the three year period of mourning after the death of a husband which involved shaving the head of the widow and washing hands with ashes. However, that is a story for another day. In this discussion, we will keep our focus on the political and social rights which Igbo women have traditionally enjoyed in their societies.

Unlike contemporary society, traditional Igbo society placed no limitations on the spheres in which women could excercise their influence, therefore women played active roles in the markets, in homes, and also in the inter-village relations of groups. As a result, Igbo women developed various means through which they could excercise their authority when needed, ranging from clan meetings and business ties to riots and strikes. Of these social platforms, the most powerful was the umuada (all of the female members of a particular clan or village). The umuada served as a means for the women of a particular village (even those married to foreigners) to congregate and discuss issues concering them and their general welfare. They umuada would assemble for the marriage and burial ceremonies of relations and served as a counter-balance to the male umunna organization. In various areas, the umuada institution existed as the umuokpu or the inyom.

In the economic sphere, women possessed the right to harvest cocoyam, the second most important crop in Igboland. They were also fundamental in the processing of lucrative cash crops such as palm kernels (which produced palm oil). Men would scale the towering palm trees and hack down bunches of palm kernels which their wives would process, so as to extract the palm oil which would then be sold. As a result, the cooperation of women in this process was necessary and ultimately determined a man's ability to harvest and trade palm oil.

In the domestic sphere, women tended to the children in addition to the domestic animals. It was a woman's duty to not only raise her children, but to familiarize them with the norms and practices of her husband's people. In doing this, a woman (if married from outside) would also inject her own cultural background into the larger sea of that of her husband and his people. As a result of this, raising a child to the standards of society lay flatly within the control of females. In addition to this, women tended to and took account of whatever domestic animals that might've been in the family's possession, ultimately managing the household.

Although women had limited freedom as to whom they were married off to, they served as important links between individuals and had the power to anull marriages simply by choosing to desert the homes of their husbands. In the societies of the Igbo, marriage was the easiest way to seal treaties, form relationships, and secure business alliances. When a merchant or a farmer sought to ally himself (or make himself immune from violence) with a particular people, he would marry one of their native daughters, thus becoming apart of their extended family. If the marriage failed (meaning if the wife had decided to run back to her people, for whatever reason) it would signal the death of the man's
relationship with her people. For this reason, women became key instruments in the formation of commercial, political, and military alliances.

In the political sphere, women were also capable of influencing the turn of events within the village. When faced with a stubborn male populace, women would often congregate and threaten to either stop cooking or engaging in sexual relations with their husbands until a decision in their favor had been taken. If things proved difficult, the women would congregate and "sit on" a particular man or woman whose actions went against their collective wishes. "Sitting on" a man meant surrounding his house with a mob of women armed with either palm fronds or pistils, who would sing mocking songs and disturb him until he succumbed to their wishes. On more serious occassions, women would threaten to flee their marital homes en mass, leaving everything except for young infants behind.

In certain societies, women were allowed to take titles or even enter secret societies, just like men. In the Cross River region of Igboland, women were allowed to join the Ekpe fraternity through a separate female cult known as Iyamba Ekpe. Women who were members of Iyamba Ekpe enjoyed similar political rights as the Ekpe males and were allowed to be present during meetings. In addition to this, they were safe from the dangerous Okonko masquerade and were allowed to weave the ukara cloth the males wore. Membership into the Iyamba cult allowed women to also take part in managaing the welfare of the community. In other areas of Igboland, women were allowed to take titles such as Lolo and Eze Agwo Nshi which allowed them to enjoy priviledges similar to Ozo and Nze title-takers and also recieve the ichi scars which distinguished them as significant members of society.

In conclusion, it's now quite evident that Igbo women have enjoyed a wide degree of liberty and have the capability to flex their political and social muscles when needed. The question is: are there any other groups of women in Nigerian that can boast of the same or even more? Let's open it up for debate.

Great writeup.

Some people are too funny. We all seem to think the most of our heritage. We should dissipate less energy on making categorical statement that will only cause tribal e-feuds. It could have been better if it was in a form of a question. Your assertion makes it seem you will not listen to any other view.
Anyway, to answer your question that is in bold: many other societies had powerful Queen Mothers (Benin,for instance). One even led the war against Idah. They have their own Palace and give out titles!
The ordinary Edo woman? She is the envy of every other. Think Europe and you will understand.

bokohalal: Some people are too funny. We all seem to think the most of our heritage. We should dissipate less energy on making categorical statement that will only cause tribal e-feuds. It could have been better if it was in a form of a question. Your assertion makes it seem you will not listen to any other view.
Anyway, to answer your question that is in bold: many other societies had powerful Queen Mothers (Benin,for instance). One even led the war against Idah. They have their own Palace and give out titles!
The ordinary Edo woman? She is the envy of every other. Think Europe and you will understand.

The topic and the content of his thread is his opinion. if you have a deferring opinion then state it.

Afam4eva:
The topic and the content of his thread is his opinion. if you have a deferring opinion then state it.

I DID!

Using "most", I at least expected the social empowerment of the igbo women would be compared with that of the women in other comparative ethnic groups.

bokohalal: Some people are too funny. We all seem to think the most of our heritage. We should dissipate less energy on making categorical statement that will only cause tribal e-feuds. It could have been better if it was in a form of a question. Your assertion makes it seem you will not listen to any other view.
Anyway, to answer your question that is in bold: many other societies had powerful Queen Mothers (Benin,for instance). One even led the war against Idah. They have their own Palace and give out titles!
The ordinary Edo woman? She is the envy of every other. Think Europe and you will understand.

How is raising a debate on whether or not Igbo women traditionally possess the most power amongst other women of Nigeria prone to instigating tribal feuds? Does it mean that an intellectual topic can't be raised without fear or disagreement? Anyway, I'm interested in learning about the roles and liberties of the average Edo woman. Could you provide more information?

Laughable.

When Igbo's can produce the likes of: Madam Tinubu, Moremi, Oya, and Mrs Ransome Kuti etc. then this debate would be worth it.

Also, do Igbo's worship feminine gods? Have you got yemaya, osun etc. equivalent? Ever had a Queen Amina equivalent?

Odumchi, you're a mod - stop promoting stupidity and why the heck is this thread where it's, anyway? You lot are just too loud for no reason.

When it comes to women empowerment, no ethnic group is close to the Yoruba's in Africa and that's honest truth.

Yoruba Traditions and African American Women's Narratives

Villanova University

Start from 11.50


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltPZbtdmV7g

that's what i like about igbo women- they dont hesitate to show the man who wears the pants in the house.

yoruba women like to do smesme too much when it comes to males, dem too dey fear. And besides, the culture doesnt allow for backtalk.

.

shymexx: Laughable.

When Igbo's can produce the likes of: Madam Tinubu, Moremi, Oya, and Mrs Ransome Kuti etc. then this debate would be worth it.

Also, do Igbo's worship feminine gods? Have you got yemaya, osun etc. equivalent? Ever had a Queen Amina equivalent?

Odumchi, you're a mod - stop promoting stupidity and why the heck is this thread where it's, anyway? You lot are just too loud for no reason.

You should tread softly on topics you know little or nothing about.We're talking about the roles expected of and liberties enjoyed by the average Igbo woman,not singular exceptions like the examples you provided.
As to Igbo goddesses,I'll have you know the pre-colonial primary deity of my town Nnewi,Edo,was female.Still is primary for the traditionalists.Before her enthronement,Ogwugwu Ezekwuabo,another female,held fort.Tis said both were wives of Eze Mewi,the founder deity who allowed them primacy as a show of his love,a bit like your Oya n Osun were to Sango.That is by the way.Of course,we all know that Ani/Ana,arguably the primary in all of Igboland was female.

Has anybody ever heard about the revered "UMUOKPU" in Idenmili ? These are some very powerful women who can shake a town to its roots when provoked. I was writing an article about them oneday and my phone went off and I lost everything. Was very pissed and never tried again but I will try,once more.

Some of us have read of the "Aba women's riots" that occured when women had no major say in the society.

shymexx: Laughable.

When Igbo's can produce the likes of: Madam Tinubu, Moremi, Oya, and Mrs Ransome Kuti etc. then this debate would be worth it.

Also, do Igbo's worship feminine gods? Have you got yemaya, osun etc. equivalent? Ever had a Queen Amina equivalent?

Odumchi, you're a mod - stop promoting stupidity and why the heck is this thread where it's, anyway? You lot are just too loud for no reason.

The pantheon of Igbo deities is occupied by deities of both masculine and feminine gender. But what does that have to do with the social empowerment of women?

The purpose of this thread is to discuss and compare how women are empowered indigenously in the various societies of Africa. How do the the Yoruba cultures accommodate women? What are the gender roles? Are women second to men or do they occupy a separate niche in society?

shymexx: Laughable.

When Igbo's can produce the likes of: Madam Tinubu, Moremi, Oya, and Mrs Ransome Kuti etc. then this debate would be worth it.

Also, do Igbo's worship feminine gods? Have you got yemaya, osun etc. equivalent? Ever had a Queen Amina equivalent?

Odumchi, you're a mod - stop promoting stupidity and why the heck is this thread where it's, anyway? You lot are just too loud for no reason.

just these few. U ppl only produce just one or two of few good tnz.

And Who the hell is Madam Tinubu? Hia...

odumchi:
The pantheon of Igbo deities is occupied by deities of both masculine and feminine gender. But what does that have to do with the social empowerment of women?

The purpose of this thread is to discuss and compare how women are empowered indigenously in the various societies of Africa. How do the the Yoruba cultures accommodate women? What are the gender roles? Are women second to men or do they occupy a separate niche in society?

Did you watch the video? I'm talking about a culture where women empowerment is part and parcel of their way-of-life. A culture where women have always been viewed as equals to men, in all aspects of their society. Yoruba women are naturally womanists - they're the keepers of the family and also part bread-winners of the family. You can go back in time, to the time of yore, to check for facts about what roles women played within the different Yoruba kingdoms. From women being part of the decision makers, to women being part of the governing council(s), to female priests, to female artisans etc..

Igbo women are late comers in that regard and the empowerment of Igbo women started in the 20th century. Heck, you can also check the history of Nigeria to confirm which group has produced most of the most powerful women in Nigeria.

shymexx:

Did you watch the video? I'm talking about a culture where women empowerment is part and parcel of their way-of-life. A culture where women have always been viewed as equals to men, in all aspects of their society. Yoruba women are naturally womanists - they're the keepers of the family and also part bread-winners of the family. You can go back in time, to the time of yore, to check for facts about what roles women played within the different Yoruba kingdoms. From women being part of the decision makers, to women being part of the governing council(s), to female priests, to female artisans etc..

You're asking me if I watched the video; did you read the first post? Like I said earlier, among the Igbo cultures, women were naturally viewed as equals to men for each gender had its own duties and responsibilities. Women served as priestesses (to male deities), took titles, traded goods, and actively participated in the political affairs of communities. In fact, in communities like Ohafia, lineages were actually traced maternally.

shymexx:
Igbo women are late comers in that regard and the empowerment of Igbo women started in the 20th century. Heck, you can also check the history of Nigeria to confirm which group has produced most of the most powerful women in Nigeria.

How were Igbo women latecomers and which empowerment started in the 1920s?

And you have to be specific when you say "Yoruba" because, like the term "Igbo", the term "Yoruba" is used to collectively refer to a large number of peoples. Does what you're saying also apply to the Yoruba women in the Islamic parts of Yorubaland?

But, Odumchi, how did u come about this title?

Its a strong statement, u know?

ngozievergreen: But, Odumchi, how did u come about this title?

Its a strong statement, u know?

That is the issue with Nigerians o. we dont check the size of our neighbors' farm, yet we yell ours is the largest. Not that his assertion couldnt be true, but Odumchi has only told us the Igbo side of Nigerian women.

true as it is, I've never really given it a thought.
Odumchi you did a nice job and dealt sufficiently with the subject matter.

I do not want to get involved in the tribal bashing that some comments here seem to be in search of but it's good that in a bid to learn from each other we present stable and empirical cases where other cultures are seen to be better than the one presented then we can compare and contrast.

loud mouthed baseless rantings point to nothing but looming trouble and crooked thought patterns.

ngozievergreen: But, Odumchi, how did u come about this title?

Its a strong statement, u know?

Its a challenge.
Take him up on it if you know of any better offer given women by any other people.

He doesn't have to study them all first. Infact this could even be a ploy to find out more if only people will honestly pick up the challenge.

dubem3:

Its a challenge.
Take him up on it if you know of any better offer given women by any other people.

He doesn't have to study them all first. Infact this could even be a ploy to find out more if only people will honestly pick up the challenge.

ok oo

another tribal thread


which one of your tribes is the most educated?

bokohalal: Some people are too funny. We all seem to think the most of our heritage. We should dissipate less energy on making categorical statement that will only cause tribal e-feuds. It could have been better if it was in a form of a question. Your assertion makes it seem you will not listen to any other view.
Anyway, to answer your question that is in bold: many other societies had powerful Queen Mothers (Benin,for instance). One even led the war against Idah. They have their own Palace and give out titles!
The ordinary Edo woman? She is the envy of every other. Think Europe and you will understand.

Look at this one? You are insecure and already on the defence. And I say why ? You have Queen mothers and we have the "Indomitable Umuokpu". These bunch are the priestesses of our Eke deity and they wield intimidating powers. They have the power to overturn the king decision. They are dreaded and nobody,I mean nobody bleeps with them! I can go on but I will stop here.

What I've noticed is that Nigerians who seem to have gone backwards in civilization always resort to past occurrences that are irrelevant in today's affairs. Igbo as an ethnic group evolves too quickly that they seem to accept a new culture and make it theirs within a short period.

There was once when Igbos were criticized that their women were left out in education but like a miracle the Igbos suddenly made it more mandatory to train the female child even more than the male and the results are out today. It is good. To be culturally dynamic and not stuck to an acient culture composed by less intelligent beings with little or no idea of modernity and democracy.

You don't know Madam Tinubu?!!!

The great Asuwajurette of Yoruba land?!!

The woman that has done what no other has done iin the history of Yorubaland?!

You're on your own ooo!

(P.S. I like your status lol. They've kicked me out of the politics section too.... I guess some people don't like hearing the truth... )

ngozievergreen:

just these few. U ppl only produce just one or two of few good tnz.

And Who the hell is Madam Tinubu? Hia...

I wouldn't fault him on that because looking at the present day Nigeria.... which women have come to the fore from political, to socio-economic and religious or traditional spheres?

So when you look on the "surface" and what you see is one-sided... its not far-fetched to make the assumption he made... and he did leave it topen to learn/hear of others (ethnic women) as well....

Yes, its a bold statement to make, but its not, again, what they say is, far-fetched.

Peinstein:
That is the issue with Nigerians o. we dont check the size of our neighbors' farm, yet we yell ours is the largest. Not that his assertion couldnt be true, but Odumchi has only told us the Igbo side of Nigerian women.