Let's Talk African History: Nigeria

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

Isnt this stuff available on Wikipedia?



The very fact that the South was rather decentralized was what allowed the British to eventually influence the region itself in the first place. Its not to say that Igbo people sat down and let the British takeover...but then pretending as if the opposite was the case is really doing nothing more than simplifying the history of a highly complex region. But yes, it can indeed be said that the British were very much the precursor for the eventual Igbo identity precisely due to the interactions formed through trade. And this is a phenomenon which is repeated across western and central africa...the reason being were that "identity" itself was highly fluid. Decentralized leadership often meant that said leadership lacked formality and was subject to breakdown, change and realignment. Differing from those where Islam was the dominant ideological force, precisely because Islam was a doctrine with codified laws and rules.

The notion that "Igboland" didn't exist prior to British colonization has been disproven many times. It's been documented that Igbo people knew they were a distinct peoples compared to Ijaws, Nupe, Igala etc. prior to colonization.

Are you from Nigeria?

 

[BigMan]

don't igbos overwhelmingly practice Protestant denominations and only speak English

 

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

don't igbos overwhelmingly practice Protestant denominations and only speak English

Most Igbos are Roman Catholics. Most Igbos in Igboland speak Igbo.

 

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

You're going to have to cite some sources for that. Your statement makes absolutely no sense because of the decentralized nature of the region. Its like claiming you have a Masters degree without having graduated highschool. The latter has to come first. Igbo people did not even have a unified identity so they were is distinct to themselves as they would have been to anyone else.

And yes, I am Igbo myself actually. And have always been very wary of getting swept up in romanticism of Igbo identity.

I cited sources in the Igbo in the Atlantic World thread I tagged you in. We can continue discussing there.

 

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

Link me to the thread thanks

I tagged you in the Igbo in the Atlantic World thread...
It's on the mainpage of the Root.

 

[Bawon Samedi]

Old Oyo

 

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

I talk about the Collapse of the Oyo Empire due to Afonja and the Fulanis here:
http://www.thecoli.com/posts/28275439/

Given recent Fulani attacks in Yorubaland, is history repeating itself?

 

[Bawon Samedi]

Old Oyo

 

[Bawon Samedi]

Benin?

 

[Bawon Samedi]

Palace of Benin

"The king's palace or court is a square, and is as large as the town of Haarlem and entirely surrounded by a special wall, like that which encircles the town. It is divided into many magnificent palaces, houses, and apartments of the courtiers, and comprises beautiful and long square galleries, about as large as the Exchange at Amsterdam, but one larger than another, resting on wooden pillars, from top to bottom covered with cast copper, on which are engraved the pictures of their war exploits and battles, "

—Olfert Dapper, Nauwkeurige Beschrijvinge der Afrikaansche Gewesten

 

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

A thatched house in Igboland

 

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

Public square in Igboland

 

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

Nsibidi Script - Igboland

 

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

 

[Bawon Samedi]

I love how Southern Nigerian architecture has such of a "mystic" to it...