The Igbo people

The Igbo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, primarily located in the southeastern region of Nigeria, in states such as Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. They are also found in smaller numbers across other countries in Africa, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon, as well as in the diaspora, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The Igbo language, part of the Niger-Congo language family, is widely spoken, with numerous dialects that remain mutually intelligible in many regions.

Historically, the Igbo people were not a unified empire but were politically fragmented into several autonomous chiefdoms and communities. Some of the well-known historical entities include the Nri Kingdom, the Aro Confederacy, Agbor, and Onitsha. The Igbo were known for their decentralized political system, where power was distributed among villages and clans rather than centralized under a single ruler. This social structure played a significant role in shaping their cultural practices and worldview.

The arrival of European colonialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought significant changes to the Igbo people. Missionaries introduced Christianity, and by the mid-20th century, most Igbo had converted to Christianity, though traditional religions still hold cultural significance for some. The British also imposed a system of “warrant chiefs” in Igbo lands, disrupting traditional governance systems.

The post-colonial period saw the Igbo people play a central role in Nigerian politics. However, ethnic tensions led to the secession of the Igbo-majority region in 1967, forming the short-lived state of Biafra. The ensuing Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) caused widespread suffering, particularly due to famine. Despite Biafra’s defeat, the desire for an independent Igbo state persists, with groups like IPOB continuing to advocate for secession.