CULTURE AND THE PORTRAYAL OF IGBO HISTORY: THE NOLLYWOOD EXAMPLE, 1992 TO 2012.

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Ikechukwu Cosmas Ahamefule

Abstract

Scholars on culture history have identified culture as the people’s pride and embodiment of their worldview. But when a peoples culture becomes impinged upon by innovations, especially the exotic (introduced from outside its microcosm), disarticulations are bound to be created into their socio-cultural, political and economic history. Apart from miniscule Aboh and Onitsha, the political system in Igboland is not centrally structured, thus the saying: “Igbo Enwe Eze” (the Igbo do not have kings). This paper sought to put into proper perspective the contradiction portrayed by the majority of Nollywood movies (Igbo) on the Igbo political system, as they emphatically
assert that the Igbo (pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial) operated a centralized political administration, portraying a retinue of servants, princes princesses, and non-farming palace chiefs

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How to Cite

Ahamefule, I. (2025). CULTURE AND THE PORTRAYAL OF IGBO HISTORY: THE NOLLYWOOD EXAMPLE, 1992 TO 2012. AKSU Journal Of History & Global Studies, 4(1), 173-190. https://doi.org/10.60787/aksujhgs.vol4no1.14

References

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3. Ibid.

4. Charles Okeke Okoko, “Matriliny and Gender Dichotomyn among the Cross River Igbo, 1900 - 1991”, unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of History and International Relations, Abia State University, Uturu, 2015; V. C. Uchendu, et al, www.google/Igbo culture.

5. Marvin Harris, Cannibals and Kings et al, 1970, p. 69.

6. Robin Horton, “Stateless Societies in the History of West Africa” in J. F. A. Ajayi and Crowder (eds), History of West Africa, London: Longmans, Vol. I, 1979, pp. 78 - 94; see also R. N. Henderson, The King

in Every Man: Evolutionary Trends in Onitsha Ibo Society and Culture, London: Yale University Press, 1972, p. 22.

7. S. J. S Cookey, King Jaja of the Niger Delta: His Lifes and Times, 1821 - 1891,New York: NOK Publishers Ltd., 1974, p. 3.

8. Robin Horton, 1979, p. 92.

9. Ibid.

10. Simon and Phoebe Ottenberg, Cultures and Societies of Africa, Random House, 1961, p. 46.

11. Interview with Chief Agbai Agbai Iro, 89 years, Ukwa Mkporo, Abia State, Retired Principal, 18/10/2013.

12. Interview with Chief Moses Emenike, 63 years, Amaoforo Ibeku, Abia State, Clan Head, 22/09/2013.

13. Interview with Chief Kalu Ukpai, 74 years, Ebem Ohafia, Abia State, Farmer, 22/11/2013.

14. A.I. Nwabughuogu, The Dynamics of Change in Eastern Nigeria, 1900-1960: Indigenous Factor in Colonial Development, (Owerri: Esther Thompson Publishing Company, 1993), pp.39-40.

15. Interview with Chief Moses Emenike, 63 years, Amaoforo Ibeku, Abia State, Clan Head, 22/09/2013.

16. P.E. Aligwekwe, The Continuity of Traditional Values in the African Society. The Igbo of Nigeria, (Owerri: Totan Publishers Limited, 1991), p. 71.

17. R.O.E. Maduka, “Age Grade Factor In Igbo Tradition of Politics”, in U.D. Anyanwu & J.C.U. Aguwa (eds), The Igbo and the Tradition of Politics, (Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publishing Co. Ltd., 1993) p. 63.

18. R.O.E. Maduka, “Age Grade Factor In Igbo Tradition of Politics”, p. 63.

19. I. C. Ahamefule, “Traditional Institutions For Capital Formation Among The Igbo of Southeast Nigeria: Change and Continuity” PhD Thesis, Abia State University, Uturu, 2015. See interviews in the appendix, with Chief Agbai Agbai Iro, 89 years, Ukwa Mkporo, Abia State, Retired Principal, 18/10/2013; Orji Igwe Aja, 74 years, Ukwa Mkporo, Abia State, Farmer, 18/10/2013 and Onu Kama Onyioha, 55 years, Ukwa Mkporo, Abia State, Traditionalist, 18/10/2013.

20. Interview with Onwuka Eke Agwu, 56 years Asaga Ohafia, Abia State, Trader, 22/11/2013.

21. Interview with HRH Eze Louis Isiene, Etiti Edda, Afikpo South Ebonyi State, Traditional Ruler, 06/04/2013,

22. Interview with Chief Patrick Okoko, 65, Ozu Abam, 03/04/82.

23. For what Ekpe secret society is, see U. N. Abalogu, “Ekpe Society in Arochukwu and Bende”, Nigerian Magazine, Nos. 126 - 133, 1978 - 1980, pp. 78 - 97.

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25. Interview with Nze Chris Iheanacho, 62 years, Umuduruehie Anara, Imo State, Businessman, 12/10/2013.

26. I. C. Ahamefule, “Traditional Institutions For Capital Formation Among The Igbo of Southeast Nigeria: Change and Continuity” PhD Thesis, Abia State University, Uturu, 2015. See interview in the appendix with Ichie Silas Chukwuonye, 78 years, Umuneke Anara, Imo State, Farmer, 06/10/2013.

27. Chieka Ifemesia, Traditional Humane Living Among the Igbo. An Historical Perspective, (Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publishing Co. Ltd, 1979), p. 89.

28. P.E. Aligwekwe, The Continuity of Traditional Values,pp. 124-125.

29. Chieka Ifemesia, Traditional Humane Living, p.89

30. Interview with Charles Okoko, Ozu Abam, 52, Historian, 11/11/2015.

31. Chieka Ifemesia, Traditional Humane Living Among the Igbo,p.49st

32. E. N. Ota, “Igbo Cultural Renaissance: The Challenges of the 21 Century”, Abia State University, 2012.

33. Robin Horton, “Stateless Societies in the History of West Africa” in Ade F. Ajayi and M. Crowder (eds.), History of West Africa, London: Longmans, Vol. I, 1971, p. 72.

34. Ibid.

35. Gloria Thomas Emeagwali, “Political Institutions in Pre-Nineteenth Century Nigeria: Some Observations on the Groundwork of Nigerian History” being paper presented at the 27th Annual Historical Conference of the Historical Society of Nigeria, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, April 13 - 17, 1982