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78-1225: The Ukwuani people (also called Ndokwa people are a subgroup of the Igbo people located in the southern part of Nigeria in the western part of the Niger Delta and other areas. Their origin is debated, with the narrative being that they are from Igbo and Benin. This has been challenged by Paul O. Opone, a lecturer at Delta State University, Abraka who argues that the evidence shows that they are of Igbo origin. Igbo people The Igbo people ( English: / ˈ iː b oʊ / EE -boh , US also / ˈ ɪ ɡ b oʊ / IG -boh ; also spelled Ibo and historically also Iboe , Ebo , Eboe , Eboans , Heebo ; natively Ṇ́dị́ Ìgbò ) are an ethnic group in Nigeria . They are primarily found in Abia , Anambra , Ebonyi , Enugu , and Imo States . Ethnic Igbo populations are found in Cameroon , Gabon , and Equatorial Guinea , as migrants as well as outside Africa. There has been much speculation about

156-498: A nation through the awakening of national consciousness . A nation can exist without a state, as is exemplified by the stateless nations. Citizenship is not always the nationality of a person. In a multinational state different national identities can coexist or compete: for example, in Britain English nationalism , Scottish nationalism , and Welsh nationalism exist and are held together by British nationalism . Nationalism

234-565: A feudalist system with a king ruling over subjects. This government system was witnessed by the Portuguese who first arrived and met with the Igbo people in the 15th century. With the exception of a few notable Igbo towns such as Onitsha , which had kings called Obi and places like the Nri Kingdom and Arochukwu, which had priest kings; Igbo communities and area governments were overwhelmingly ruled by

312-401: A hierarchical social structure. Influence on Igbo art and culture: The artifacts discovered at Igbo-Ukwu have had a profound impact on the understanding and appreciation of Igbo art and culture. They have inspired contemporary Igbo artists and craftsmen and contributed to a sense of cultural identity and heritage. Recognition of African achievements: The discoveries at Igbo-Ukwu challenged

390-481: A native tradition attributing it to the Uguakima or Uyanga section of the Igbo. Igbo people produced bronzes from as early as the 9th century, some of which have been found at the town of Igbo Ukwu , Anambra State . A system of indentured servitude existed among the Igbo before and after the encounter with Europeans. Indentured service in Igbo areas was described by Olaudah Equiano in his memoir . He describes

468-648: A republican consultative assembly of the common people. Communities were usually governed and administered by a council of elders . Many Igbo towns however, were also partly governed the high council known as the Ozo society, whose titles could be both earned and inherited. And the spiritual (though not political) authority of the king of Nri was recognized all over Igboland Although title holders were respected because of their accomplishments and capabilities, they were not revered as kings but often performed special functions given to them by such assemblies. This way of governing

546-488: A series of conflicts that took place between the Igbo people and the Igala people of Nigeria during the 18th and 19th centuries. These wars were characterized by intense military engagements, territorial disputes, and clashes over resources and political dominance. The conflicts occurred in the southeastern region of Nigeria, primarily in the areas now known as Anambra , Enugu , Ebonyi , Kogi and Delta states. These wars led to

624-638: A war with the Manilla Pepple House led by Oko Jumbo compelled Jaja to break away to form the Opobo city-state (26 miles east of Bonny) in 1869. Opobo came to be a prominent trading post in the region's palm oil trade. Jaja barred entry to European and African middlemen, effectively monopolizing trade , and by 1870 was selling eight thousand tons of palm oil directly to the British. Opobo also shipped palm oil directly to Liverpool . Despite his trade rivalry with

702-579: A wealth of cultural treasures. The Igbo-Ukwu artifacts are now housed in various museums, including the Nigerian National Museum in Lagos. Glass production: Igbo-Ukwu has one of the oldest glass productions in West Africa. The archeology of Igbo-Ukwu had over 600 prestige objects including complex cast copper-alloy sculptures and more than 165,000 glass and carnelian beads. The most common glass among

780-436: A week had four days, a month consisted of seven weeks, and 13 months made a year. In the last month, an extra day was added. This calendar is still used in indigenous Igbo villages and towns to determine market days. They settled law matters via mediators, and their banking system for loans and savings, called Isusu, is also still used. The Igbo new year, starting with the month Ọ́nwạ́ M̀bụ́ ( Igbo : First Moon ) occurs on

858-578: Is E1b1a1-M2 . Pottery dated from around 3,000–2,500 BC showing similarities with later Igbo work was found at Nsukka , and Afikpo regions of Igboland in the 1970s, along with pottery and tools at nearby Ibagwa; the traditions of the Umueri clan have as their source the Anambra valley . In the 1970s, the Owerri , Okigwe , Orlu , Awgu , Udi and Awka divisions were determined to constitute "an Igbo heartland" from

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936-456: Is also encouraged by governments and separatism is considered illegal. The following is a list of ethnic and national groups where there exist notable independence movements as evidenced by standalone Misplaced Pages articles. States made bold under the "homeland" column are countries of the respective ethnic groups which are native to them and still host the majority (more than half) of their population. mostly Shia Volkstaat Sardinians are

1014-550: Is an independent state under an unlawful occupation. Some ethnic groups were once a stateless nation that later became a nation state (for example, the nations of the Balkans such as the Croats , Serbs , Bosniaks , Slovenes , Montenegrins and Macedonians that were once part of the multinational state of Yugoslavia and gained independence during the breakup of Yugoslavia ). Stateless nations can have large populations; for example,

1092-559: Is archeological and cultural proof of their existence, as there are non-Igbo dances and masquerades in modern Ikwo culture. The southern Ikwo displaced the indigenous Adadama group far to modern Cross River State . Conflict with Igala : As the Igala already lived in the area with the Orri they sought friendship with the Ezza and gave them land for farming. However, betrayed by the Ezza whose true intent

1170-655: Is intact in Arochukwu and serves mainly as a tourist site. The Aro-Ibibio Wars were a series of conflicts between the Aro people (subgroup of the Igbo) and a Ibibio in present-day Southeastern Nigeria at Ibom Kingdom from 1630 to 1902. These wars led to the foundation of the Arochukwu kingdom. Before Igbo arrival in the Aro territory, a group of proto Ibibio migrated to the area and established

1248-457: Is often connected to separatism because a nation is considered to achieve completeness through its independence. Throughout history, numerous nations declared their independence , but not all succeeded in establishing a state. Even today, there are active autonomy and independence movements around the world. The claim of the stateless nations to self-determination is often denied due to geopolitical interests and increasing globalization of

1326-491: Is the most notable Igbo subgroup to be involved in these wars as the Igala people conquered and installed priest-kings to govern the district for almost a century. The Nsukka people have continuously inhabited northern Igboland since the 3rd millennium BCE as shown through archeological continuity and Glottochronology . They are considered to be one of the first Igbo subgroups by historian and archeologist Edwin Eme Okafor. During

1404-562: The Anioma people of Delta State and the riverine side of Anambra state . While specific conflicts with the Enuani and Igala people remain poorly documented, there is one Igala-speaking community in Enuaniland known as Ebu. The Idah Kingdom conquered some significant riverine trading centers, but just as quickly as they were conquered, most came under the control of Aboh , an Ukwuani kingdom, while

1482-498: The Ibibioid (Cross River) cluster. Before the period of British colonial rule in the 20th century, the Igbo were politically fragmented by the centralized chiefdoms of Nri , Aro Confederacy , Agbor and Onitsha . Frederick Lugard introduced the Eze system of "warrant chiefs". The Igbos became overwhelmingly Christian during the evangelism of the missionaries in the colonial era in

1560-554: The Ibom Kingdom. This proto-Ibibio group originally came from Usak Edet ( Isanguele ), a segment of the Ejagham in present-day Southern Cameroon . The Eze Agwu clan from Abiriba , initiated Igbo migration into the region around the mid-17th century. The Ibibio clan welcomed all until some started rebelling against the ruling house. The Eze Awgu group who lead the rebellion against the ruling family aligned with several outside forces like

1638-641: The Kurds have an estimated population of over 30 million people, which makes them one of the largest stateless nations. The symbiotic relationship between nations and states arose in Western Europe during the 18th century, and it was exported to the rest of the world through colonial rule. Whereas the Western European nation-states are at present relinquishing some of their powers to the European Union, many of

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1716-595: The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region within the People's Republic of China ). Some stateless nations historically had a state, which was absorbed by another; for example, Tibet's declaration of independence in 1913 was not recognized, and it was reunited in 1951 by the People's Republic of China - which claims that Tibet is an integral part of China, while the Tibetan government-in-exile maintains that Tibet

1794-473: The 138 analytical results for Igbo-Ukwu beads is soda-lime glass produced using plant ash. Overall, Igbo-Ukwu remains a vital archaeological site that continues to contribute to our understanding of ancient African civilizations and their contributions to human history. The Aro Confederacy (1690–1902) was a political union orchestrated by the Aro people , Igbo subgroup, centered in Arochukwu in present-day southeastern Nigeria . The Aro Confederacy kingdom

1872-610: The 17th century established the Aro Confederacy . As the Ezza , Izzi , Ikwo subgroups moved northward, all who are said to descend from siblings whose patriarch hailed from Afikpo , the Ezza encountered the indigenous Orri people and protected them from extinction in exchange for farming rights. The Ikwo people encountered the Okum eventually displacing them and assimilated the rest. the Okum do not exist as an identifiable group anymore but there

1950-511: The 18th century. The name may originate from the verb gboo (to protect, to shelter), meaning "a protected people or a community of peace". Other theories give it the meaning "forest dwellers", connect it to "the ancients" ( Ndi-gbo ), or suggest that it simply refers to "a community of people". The Igboid languages form a cluster within the Volta–Niger phylum, most likely grouped with Yoruboid and Edoid . The greatest differentiation within

2028-573: The 9th century, and royal burials at the Igbo-Ukwu sites have been unearthed dating to at least the 10th century. Eri , the god-like founder of Nri, is believed to have settled the region around 948 with other related Igbo cultures following after in the 13th century. The first Eze Nri (King of Nri) Ìfikuánim followed directly after him. According to Igbo oral tradition, his reign started in 1043. At least one historian puts Ìfikuánim's reign much later, around 1225 AD: Each king traces his origin back to

2106-545: The Agba were compelled to retreat southwards, leaving their abandoned lands to be later settled by Umunwagu and Ikwuate (Idembia). Seeking safety and security, the Agba people sought refuge in Ishielu Division, departing from their original mainland settlements. The Ezza met them again in 1850 and again conquered and displaced the remnants, naming the new territory Ezzagu. Western Igbo influence: The Western Igbo people consist of

2184-482: The Aro Confederacy as a regional economic power. The Aro Confederacy's strength came from its well-organized network of Aro agents who were dispersed across different communities in the region. These agents acted as intermediaries in trade, diplomacy, and religious matters. They facilitated commerce, resolved disputes, and spread the worship of the Aro deity known as the " Long Juju " oracle. The " Long Juju " oracle

2262-644: The Aro Expedition. The invasion of Obegu (in Igboland) was the last major Aro offensive before the start of the Anglo-Aro War . In November 1901, the British launched the Aro Expedition and after strong Aro resistance, Arochukwu was captured on 28 December 1901. By early 1902, the war was over, and the Aro Confederacy collapsed. Contrary to the belief that the Ibini Ukpabi was destroyed, the shrine still exists, and

2340-531: The Aros because of their economic dominance. The Aro resisted British penetration in the hinterland because their economic and religious influence was being threatened. The Aro and their allies launched offensives against British allies in Igboland and Ibibioland . After failed negotiations, the British attempted to conquer the Aro Confederacy in 1899. By 1901, the tensions were especially intensified when British prepared for

2418-567: The Europeans, Jaja sent his children to schools in Glasgow and enlisted whites to staff the secular school he built in Opobo. He barred any missionaries from entering Opobo. At the 1884 Berlin Conference , the Europeans designated Opobo as British territory. When Jaja refused to cease taxing the British traders, Henry Hamilton Johnston , a British vice consul, invited Jaja for negotiations in 1887. Jaja

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2496-507: The Eze Nri. Igbo-Ukwu is a historically significant archaeological site located in southeastern Nigeria, in what is now Anambra State. The site is renowned for its remarkable discoveries of ancient artifacts that date back to the 9th and 10th centuries AD. The archaeological findings at Igbo-Ukwu have provided valuable insights into the early history and cultural achievements of the Igbo people and their interactions with other civilizations in

2574-759: The Eze's eldest son, and three of his wives. The battle was witnessed by Sailor, Joseph B. Hawkins. Ebonyi conflicts: During the early 19th century, the Eastern Igbo subgroups located in Ebonyi State underwent a significant migration towards the Cross River areas, this in turn manifested in boundary disputes between several Eastern Igbo groups with her neighbors such as Ikwo-Nsobo and Osopo of Cross River State, Izzi – Osopo and Yala of Cross River State and Mgbo-Igala of Benue State. A similar migration skirmish towards Abia State in

2652-567: The Igbo ethnic group, inhabited the region around present-day Arochukwu in Abia State, Nigeria. They were skilled traders and missionaries who played a pivotal role in connecting various Igbo communities. This migration and their military power, and wars with neighboring kingdoms like supported by their alliances with several related neighboring Igbo and eastern Cross River militarized states (particularly Ohafia , Edda , Abam , Abiriba , Afikpo , Ekoi , Bahumono , Amasiri etc.), quickly established

2730-564: The Igbo subgroup and Ibibio. The Eze Agwu/Nnachi faction decided to help Akakpokpo attempt to overthrow his brother king Akpan Okon . The coup was heavily resisted which called for even more help. Through Nnachi, an Eastern Cross river group answered the call for help. They were known as the Akpa who were living at today Akwa Akpa before the arrival of the Efik people in that region. These warriors and traders may have had European guns which were new to

2808-656: The Igboid group is between the Ekpeye , and the rest. Williamson (2002) argues that based on this pattern, proto-Igboid migration would have moved down the Niger from a more northern area in the savannah and first settled close to the delta, with a secondary center of Igbo proper more to the north, in the Awka area. Genetic studies have shown the Igbo to cluster most closely with other Niger-Congo-speaking peoples. The predominant Y-chromosomal haplogroup

2886-687: The Nigerian military formed a blockade around Biafra, an event that led to international media promoting humanitarian aid for Biafra . Biafra was eventually defeated by Nigeria and reintegrated into the country. The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra and the now Nigerian government proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), two organizations formed after 1999, continue to struggle for an independent Igbo state. "Igbo" as an ethnic identity developed comparatively recently, in

2964-675: The Priest Nnachi from the Edda group near Afikpo , was called by their king Awgu Inobia (Eze Agwu) for help. When he arrived, Nnachi and Eze Agwu allied with prince Akakpokpo Okon of the Ibibio kingdom of Ibom Kingdom. Akakpokpo Okon was the son of a marriage between an Igbo woman of the Eze Agwu clan and the King Obong Okon Ita in an attempt of a peace treaty for a war that have been fought between

3042-562: The advanced metallurgical skills of the ancient Igbo people and their ability to work with various metals. The Igbo-Ukwu artifacts predate certain other well-known Nigerian bronze sculpture traditions such as those of Ife and the Benin Kingdom and have contributed to our understanding of the development of metallurgical techniques in Africa. Cultural exchange and trade: The presence of exotic materials like glass beads and imported ceramics at

3120-411: The birth of twins ), animal (such as killing or eating of pythons), object, temporal, behavioral, speech and place taboos. The rules regarding these taboos were used to educate and govern Nri's subjects. This meant that, while certain Igbo may have lived under different formal administration, all followers of the Igbo religion had to abide by the rules of the faith and obey its representative on earth,

3198-555: The coast helped the growth of city-states in the Niger Delta , and these city states became important centres for the export of palm oil and slaves. Such city-states included Opobo , Bonny , Nembe , Calabar , as well as other slave trading city-states controlled by the Ijaw , Efik , and Igbo. The Aros formed a strong trading network, colonies, and incorporated hundreds of communities that formed into powerful kingdoms. The Ajalli , Arondizuogu , Ndikelionwu, and Igbene Kingdoms were some of

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3276-573: The conditions of the slaves in his community of Essaka and points out the difference between the treatment of slaves under the Igbo in Essaka and those in the custody of Europeans in West Indies: Stateless nation The term was coined in 1983 by political scientist Jacques Leruez in his book L'Écosse, une nation sans État about the peculiar position of Scotland within the British state . It

3354-677: The context of decolonisation and the Nigerian Civil War. The various Igbo-speaking communities were historically fragmented and decentralised; in the opinion of Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe , Igbo identity should be placed somewhere between a "tribe" and a "nation". Since the defeat of the Republic of Biafra in 1970, the Igbo are sometimes classed as a " stateless nation ". Forms of the name Igbo – (formerly also spelled Heebo , Eboe , or Ibo ) have been used in Western literature at least since

3432-639: The drastic Battle of Nsukka . Background: In the 16th century a large Igala migration occurred across the Niger River following a defeat to the Kingdom of Benin . Shortly after, a Jukun migration from Wukari conquered and established a royal dynasty in Idah , bringing them into contact with Igbo speaking groups. Conquest of Nsukka: The Nsukka-Igala wars occurred in the 18th to 19th century following an Igala invasion and left most of Nsukka under Igala control. Nsukka

3510-514: The expansion of Ozizza, Afikpo, Amasiri, Izombe, and many other city-states. For example, Aro soldiers founded at least three villages in Ozizza. The Aro Confederacy's power, however, derived mostly from its economic and religious position. With European colonists on their way at the end of the 19th century, things changed. During the 1890s, the Royal Niger Company of Britain bore friction with

3588-408: The former colonies are now the zealous defenders of the concept of national statehood. However, not all peoples within multi-cultural states consider themselves stateless nations. As not all states are nation states, there are ethnic groups who live in multinational states that are not considered "stateless nations". Only a small fraction of the world's national groups have associated nation states;

3666-495: The founding ancestor, Eri. Each king is a ritual reproduction of Eri. The initiation rite of a new king shows that the ritual process of becoming Eze Nri (Nri priest-king) follows closely the path traced by the hero in establishing the Nri kingdom. The Kingdom of Nri was a religio-polity, a sort of theocratic state, that developed in the central heartland of the Igbo region. The Nri had seven types of taboos which included human (such as

3744-557: The impact of the war on the traditional methods employed by the Nsukka community, as they incorporated wood into their process to sustain their iron production amidst the challenging conditions. The conflicts started with the arrival of a figure named Onọjọ Ogboni whose background is surrounded in mystery. One of the 18th-century conflicts was the Battle of Nsukka in 1794, which resulted in a Nsukka military victory, but with significant losses including

3822-501: The imperial and colonial era , powerful nations extended their influence outside their homeland; resulting in many colonized nations ceasing to be self-governing and being described as stateless nations thereafter. Some nations have been victims of "carve-outs" that left their homeland divided among several countries. Even today, the colonial boundaries form modern national boundaries. These boundaries often differ from cultural boundaries which results in situations wherein people who speak

3900-437: The linguistic and cultural evidence. In the Nsukka region of Igboland, evidence of early iron smelting has been excavated, dating to 750 BC at the site of Opi and 2,000 BC at the site of Lejja . The Nri people of Igbo land have a creation myth which is one of the many creation myths that exist in various parts of Igbo land. The Nri and Aguleri people are in the territory of the Umueri clan who trace their lineages back to

3978-455: The most important pillar of Igbo society. It was also a culture in which gender was re-constructed and performed according to social need; "The flexibility of Igbo gender construction meant that gender was separate from biological sex. Daughters could become sons and consequently male." Mathematics in indigenous Igbo society is evident in their calendar, banking system and strategic betting game called Okwe . In their indigenous calendar ,

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4056-414: The most powerful Aro states in the Confederacy after Arochukwu. Some were founded and named after commanders and chiefs like Izuogu Mgbokpo and Iheme who led Aro/Abam forces to conquer Ikpa Ora and founded Arondizuogu. Later Aro commanders such as Okoro Idozuka (also of Arondizuogu) expanded the state's borders through warfare at the start of the 19th century. Aro migrations also played a large role in

4134-409: The origins of the Igbo people, which are largely unknown. The Igbo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa . The Igbo language is part of the Niger-Congo language family . Its regional dialects are somewhat mutually intelligible amidst the larger " Igboid " cluster. The Igbo homeland straddles the lower Niger River, east and south of the Edoid and Idomoid groups, and west of

4212-430: The others were significant trading partners to both kingdoms, supplying the entirety of palm oil Aboh traded. Although some Igala dances continue to be performed in Anioma, there is no evidence of any lasting military conquests; instead, it appears that cultural traditions were exchanged mostly through trade and interactions between the neighboring communities. King Jaja of Opobo (full name: Jubo Jubogha ; 1821–1891)

4290-419: The outdated notion of Africa as a continent with no significant history or cultural achievements. The site's findings have demonstrated the richness and complexity of ancient African civilizations. The archaeological site of Igbo-Ukwu was first discovered in 1939 when a group of villagers accidentally came across the artifacts while digging a trench. Subsequent excavations conducted in the 1950s and 1970s uncovered

4368-499: The patriarchal king-figure Eri . Eri's origins are unclear, though he has been described as a "sky being" sent by Chukwu (God). He has been characterized as having first given societal order to the people of Anambra . The historian Elizabeth Allo Isichei says "Nri and Aguleri and part of the Umueri clan, [are] a cluster of Igbo village groups which traces its origins to a sky being called Eri." Archaeological evidence suggests that Nri influence in Igboland may go back as far as

4446-428: The period of the Igbo-Igala Wars, marked by a scarcity of labor and insecurity resulting from slave raiding and the Nsukka-Igala conflicts, notable changes occurred in the iron smelting practices of the Nsukka people. Due to urgency, some iron smelters resorted to using wood directly in their smelting process, bypassing the usual practice of burning it to produce charcoal. This adaptation in smelting techniques demonstrates

4524-447: The potential for ethnic conflicts . Some of these minority groups campaigned for self-determination . Stateless nations were not protected in all countries and as a result, they became victims of atrocities such as discrimination , ethnic cleansing , genocide , forced assimilation , and the exploitation of labor and natural resources . People with a common origin, history, language, culture, customs, or religion can turn into

4602-411: The region. The artifacts may be associated with the traditional Kingdom of Nri and its priest-king, the Eze Nri. The significance of Igbo-Ukwu lies in the following aspects: Sophisticated Artifacts: The excavations at Igbo-Ukwu revealed a collection of highly sophisticated and elaborately crafted artifacts, including intricately designed bronze, copper, and iron objects. These artifacts demonstrate

4680-399: The rest are distributed in one or more states. While there are over 3000 estimated nations in the world, there were only 193 member states of the United Nations as of 2011, of which fewer than 20 are considered to be ethnically homogeneous nation states. Thus nation states are not as common as often assumed, and stateless nations are the overwhelming majority of nations in the world. During

4758-505: The same language or have the same culture are divided by national borders; for example, New Guinea is split into the regions of West Papua (a former Dutch colony ) and Papua New Guinea (a former Australian colony ). During decolonization , the colonial powers imposed a unified state structure irrespective of the ethnic differences and granted independence to their colonies as a multinational state . This led to successor states with many minority ethnic groups in them, which increased

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4836-432: The site suggests that the people of Igbo-Ukwu were engaged in trade and had connections with other cultures and civilizations, both within and outside of Africa. Evidence of social complexity : The intricate and finely crafted artifacts found at Igbo-Ukwu suggest the existence of a sophisticated and socially complex society. The level of craftsmanship and the variety of artifacts indicate the presence of skilled artisans and

4914-470: The territory. Being the Igbo allies, the Akpas were led by the royal Nnubi family. Osim and Akuma Nnubi led Akpa soldiers to help fight against the ruling household. Together with Igbo forces and rebels, they fought against the Ibom Kingdom forces (1690). During the final battles, Osim Nnubi was slain in Oror city state making it the capital of Arochukwu. But at the end of the war, Osim and Akakpokpo were dead. In order to honor Osim's legacy, his brother Akuma

4992-404: The third week of February, although the traditional start of the year for many Igbo communities is around springtime in Ọ́nwạ́ Ágwụ́ (June). Used as a ceremonial script by secret societies, the Igbo have an indigenous ideographic set of symbols called Nsibidi , whose origin is now generally attributed to the neighboring Ejagham people, though in the 1900s J. K. Macgregor recorded

5070-457: The twentieth century. In the wake of decolonisation , the Igbo developed a strong sense of ethnic identity, with Christianity being the major religion and Islamic minorities. After ethnic tensions following the independence of Nigeria in 1960, the Igbos seceded from Nigeria and attempted to establish a new independent country called Biafra , triggering the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). Millions of Biafran civilians died from starvation after

5148-530: The world. Stateless nations sometimes show solidarity with other stateless nations and maintain diplomatic relations. Not all ethnic groups claim to be a nation or aspire to be a separate state. Some of them see themselves as part of the multinational state they are located in and believe that their interests are well represented in it. The favoring of a united single state is associated with unionism (such as Pakistani nationalism , Indian nationalism , and Belgian nationalism ) ). In many countries, unionism

5226-414: Was a powerful and influential political and economic alliance of various Igbo-speaking communities in southeastern Nigeria. It emerged during the 17th century and played a significant role in the region until the late 19th century. The exact origins of the Aro Confederacy are not precisely documented, but it is believed to have been established around the mid-17th century. The Aro people, who were part of

5304-420: Was arrested on arrival aboard a British vessel; he was tried in Accra in the Gold Coast (now Ghana ) then exiled, first to London, and later to Saint Vincent and Barbados in the British West Indies . His presence in the West Indies was alleged to be the cause of civil unrest, as the people of Barbados , of African descent, were upset at the poor treatment of a King from their homeland. In 1891, Jaja

5382-421: Was crowned the first EzeAro (king). After his death, Nnachi's descendants took the throne starting with his first son Oke Nnachi . The Arochukwu kingdom, was founded. After Arochukwu was formed, it began to expand because of the growing population and territorial protection. Aro forces formed vigilante camps which eventually grew into communities on the Arochukwu-Ibibio boundaries. The Igbo-Igala Wars refer to

5460-413: Was different from most other communities of Western Africa and only shared by the Ewe of Ghana . Umunna are a form of patrilineage maintained by the Igbo. Law starts with the Umunna which is a male line of descent from a founding ancestor (who the line is sometimes named after) with groups of compounds containing closely related families headed by the eldest male member. The Umunna can be seen as

5538-404: Was expansion and to address their ongoing land scarcity. It led to a conflict between the two groups, resulting in the Igala's defeat and expulsion from their occupied territory which the Ezza then took control of. The Agba community, located in Ebo Ndiagu, Ochuhu Agba, and Orie Agba Elu, faced defeat as the Ezza's territory expanded. Some rallied, but despite putting up a spirited but brief defense,

5616-561: Was founded after the beginning of the Aro-Ibibio Wars . Their influence and presence was all over Eastern Nigeria , lower Middle Belt , and parts of present-day Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Arochukwu Kingdom was an economic, political, and an oracular center as it was home of the Ibini Ukpabi oracle, High Priests, the Aro King Eze Aro , and central council (Okpankpo). The Aro Confederacy

5694-478: Was granted permission to return to Opobo, but died en route. Following his exile and death, the power of the Opobo state rapidly declined. In 1903, the King Jaja of Opobo Memorial was erected in his honor in Opobo town centre. Traditional Igbo political organization was based on a quasi-democratic republican system of government. In tight knit communities, this system guaranteed its citizens equality, as opposed to

5772-552: Was kidnapped and sold into slavery , most likely by a rival Igbo warring state, or by the Aro's .He was then brought to Ijawland thereafter. As was customary amongst the Ijaw, Jaja earned his way out of slavery after serving his master for a number of years. At the death of his master, he took charge of the trade and went on to head the Anna Pepple House merchant faction of Bonny . Under him, Anna Pepple absorbed other trade houses until

5850-553: Was later adopted and popularized by Scottish scholars such as David McCrone , Michael Keating and T. M. Devine . Ethnicities described as stateless nations can be dispersed across a number of states (for example, the Yoruba people found in the African states of Nigeria , Benin and Togo ) or form the native population of a province within a larger state (such as the Uyghur people in

5928-484: Was primarily based on agriculture, with the cultivation of crops like palm oil, yams, and cassava. They were also involved in trade with neighboring communities and European merchants. They controlled trade routes that passed through their territories, collecting tolls and taxes from traders. The Aro also engaged in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade by capturing and selling slaves to European traders. Aro activities on

6006-441: Was the first king (amanyanabo) of Opobo. He was also the founder of Opobo city-state in present day Rivers State of Nigeria . King Jaja of Opobo is listed as an African legend , because of the hardships he overcame, and persistency to rise, even despite all the odds against him. He became a merchant, and a general, becoming one of the richest and most influential Pre-colonial Africans in history. At an indeterminate date, Jaja

6084-492: Was the spiritual centerpiece of the Aro Confederacy. It was housed in Arochukwu and considered a potent source of political authority and religious guidance. The Aro people used the oracle to enforce their influence and control over surrounding communities. It also served as a means to administer justice and settle disputes, often attracting pilgrims seeking solutions to their problems. The Aro Confederacy gained significant economic power through trade and commerce. Their economy

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