Can an AA get an Igbo title?

What are the responsibilities of a titled person? Do they have any power?

What would an AA do to get a title?

Someone in this section must know the answer.

In The cultures of the Igbo, titles exist in many dimensions and are not [traditionally] awarded on the basis of wealth but of merit. This being said, you have yet to specify the type of title which you are talking about. Depending on where you are in Igboland, there are yam titles, Ozo titles, and other merit-based title-taking institutions. Although it is theoretically possible for you to [traditionally] acquire a title from a community, it would be very difficult since you are indeed an outsider [to that community]. By outsider I don't mean the fact that you're an African American; I mean outsider in the sense that you are not an indigene of that particular community, since most [traditional] titles are awarded to 'umuafo' (citizens) and in extremely rare cases (which I will soon elaborate); foreigners.

An Ozo title is awarded to individuals who exhibit exemplary character and are well-esteemed by all members of society. Traditionally, these titles are taken very seriously and are not given out lightly. For an individual to be awarded an Ozo title, his history and that of his family would have to be scrutinized extensively in order to make sure that he is indeed fit for the title. That being said, it would be impossible for you to acquire an Ozo title.

Another type of title that exists is Ichie. Like Ozo, the Ichie title is only awarded to men of pristine character who are advanced in age. Being made an Ichie would make you responsible for certain social functions in a community which you, as a foreign-based African American, cannot fulfill.

That being said, the answer is "no". You, in your current form, can't get a real traditional Igbo title. The only way you could get a traditional title would be if you relocated to a community lived there for an extensive period of time, adopted their culture and practices, and participated actively in their communal affairs.

However, the world of today is gradually spoiling. Most of these people that answer "Chief" and "Lolo" simply go and buy a chieftaincy title (the idea of chieftaincy titles were introduced by the British) so that people can call them "Chief" or "Chief Mrs.". If that's what you want, sure. But it's not a legitimate traditional Igbo title.

Kairoseki, what do u want?

odumchi: In The cultures of the Igbo, titles exist in many dimensions and are not [traditionally] awarded on the basis of wealth but of merit. This being said, you have yet to specify the type of title which you are talking about. Depending on where you are in Igboland, there are yam titles, Ozo titles, and other merit-based title-taking institutions. Although it is theoretically possible for you to [traditionally] acquire a title from a community, it would be very difficult since you are indeed an outsider [to that community]. By outsider I don't mean the fact that you're an African American; I mean outsider in the sense that you are not an indigene of that particular community, since most [traditional] titles are awarded to 'umuafo' (citizens) and in extremely rare cases (which I will soon elaborate); foreigners.

An Ozo title is awarded to individuals who exhibit exemplary character and are well-esteemed by all members of society. Traditionally, these titles are taken very seriously and are not given out lightly. For an individual to be awarded an Ozo title, his history and that of his family would have to be scrutinized extensively in order to make sure that he is indeed fit for the title. That being said, it would be impossible for you to acquire an Ozo title.

Another type of title that exists is Ichie. Like Ozo, the Ichie title is only awarded to men of pristine character who are advanced in age. Being made an Ichie would make you responsible for certain social functions in a community which you, as a foreign-based African American, cannot fulfill.

That being said, the answer is "no". You, in your current form, can't get a real traditional Igbo title. The only way you could get a traditional title would be if you relocated to a community lived there for an extensive period of time, adopted their culture and practices, and participated actively in their communal affairs.

However, the world of today is gradually spoiling. Most of these people that answer "Chief" and "Lolo" simply go and buy a chieftaincy title (the idea of chieftaincy titles were introduced by the British) so that people can call them "Chief" or "Chief Mrs.". If that's what you want, sure. But it's not a legitimate traditional Igbo title.

Hmm interesting. Thanks for the info.