CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The Igbo people live in the eastern part of Nigeria. They are bounded in the East by the Efik and Ibibio who seem to share some cultural similarities with the Igbo. In the North are the Idoma and the Igala while in the West are the Benin, the Urhobo and the Isoko ethnic groups. The Ogoni and the Ikwere are in the South. Majority of the Igbo live in Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi States of Nigeria.

Others also live in parts of Delta and River states.

The above geographical background explains the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo.

One of such cultural institutions being approached is the Igbo family system. The origin of the Igbo family system is difficult to trace in spite of the long years of education, and -the influence of western civilization. The reason for this could be due to different traditional world views, external influences and cultural meanings. From such names as Ahudie or husband’s body, Nkem or mine, Enyidie or husband’s friend or companion, one could deduce that it is as old as man or started with the origin or man. It is a social fact that Igbo family came into existence in order to integrate Igbo cultural values, norms and traditions into a web of relationship. Consequently, one is related to another in Igbo society either by blood or by marriage.

Igbo family is therefore defined as the basic primary social, religious, economic and political unity of the wider society made up of the father, mother, child(ren) or ward(s). Individualism is said to have no place in Igbo family system. The reality of this is found in the extended family system.

As an integral part of Igbo family system, the extended family members include patrilineal and matrilineal uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephew and in-laws. In Igbo family affairs, they have a say and have always made moral, social, economic and religious commitments to the growth of Igbo family system.

They have craved and encouraged traditional values of their family members and their firm grip on their members has promoted the traditional Igbo pattern of life. Igbo people abide by the norms and traditions of their culture. This explains the reason why certain characteristic features can be predicted of the Igbo. For instance, the Igbo people are hard working and believe strongly in the dignity of labour. This is so because agriculture was their chief employment and everyone, even the children and women are engaged in it. Igbo tradition explains that the need for increased labour and agriculturally enhanced productivity explains the need for more than one wife in the traditional setting of Igbo family life. It was so too because they had no beggars and could not be acquainted with idleness. Igbo family had respect for elders because they believe that the elders are the closest link to and represent the ancestors. They believe in the enhancement of life, that is the reason why they abstain from bloodshed. This enhancement of life has added value for the unborn and the living dead in Igboland. Thus through this unborn and the living dead there seems an endless communication between the world of the spirit and the world of the living. Through this, they could reincarnate to their families from time to time.

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