Some Fascinating Facts about the Igbo People of Nigeria.
The Igbo people are a tribe native to South Eastern Nigeria. They are a major ethnic group in Nigeria with their indigenous settlements in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states in Nigeria. There are also a handful of Igbo indigenous communities in Delta and Rivers states. There are several speculations on the origin of this tribe, but the dominant view is the one that holds that their ancestral father, Eri (who is believed to be the fifth son of Gad, a grandson of Israel/Jacob, a great-grandson of Abraham) who migrated from Egypt shortly before the Moses’s led exodus. Some fascinating facts about this lovely tribe of people will be discussed in this article.
1. The Igbo people (Ndi Igbo) are travellers who do not forget home.
It is believed that there are Igbos residing in every country of the world. Their quest for greener pastures propels them to other parts of the world. According to Wikipedia, there are about 232,000 Igbos in the United States alone and over 114,000 in Cameroon. There are over 35 million Igbos in Nigeria, and the majority of the working population resides outside their indigenous settlements. Regardless of their culture of travelling, many do not forget home. They always return to their hometown for festivals and family meetings. Ndi Igbo have developed a culture of travelling home at the end of the year to celebrate New Year together. This homecoming is an admirable culture that fosters unity and connectivity between family members.
2. Ndi Igbo has a designed entrepreneurial education system from which the world can learn.
The Igbo people have a designed entrepreneurship education system called the Igba Boi or Igba Odibo. “Boy” in this sense refers to “apprentice”. This is referred to as the Igbo Trade Apprenticeship System. It is a formal or informal agreement in which the “boy” learns from the “Oga” the technical, interpersonal, and managerial skills of handling a business by being an apprentice for an agreed number of years. After that, the boy will be “settled” with capital like a shop, goods and money. There are reports that most Ogas do not keep to the agreement. This system has proven to be successful. This is why the Igbos dominate many major markets in Nigeria. This system can be improved and adopted.
3. Ndi Igbo are ambitious and industrious.
The Igbo people are very hardworking. The Igbos were recognized as a major exporter of palm oil before colonization. Their industrious nature is not limited to the men; the ladies are also hard-working. Even before colonization, Igbo women have been involved in local and intercultural trade. Ndi Igbo are concerned and dedicated to what they do. Their entrepreneurial personality has made their ambitious and industrious nature a trait among them. The consistency and prudence they associate with their businesses are part of the reasons why it is said that they are strong lovers of money.
4. Ndi Igbo are dogged and they prioritize success.
The Igbo People are ever-dogged people. They do not relent until they achieve success. They have the notion of achieving their or die trying. Ndi Igbo believe in men of substance irrespective of the age or lineage of the person. The achievement or contribution of men to community growth earns them titles. It is the title that is respected. Young and old, men and women, indigenes and non-indigenes who have amassed wealth, earned recognitions in their fields, become famous or contributed to the development of the community earn themselves titles. One can earn multiple titles. That is why the proverb “If a child washes his hands, he could eat with kings.” is common among them. Ironically, another popular saying common among them is “Igbo enweghi eze. (Igbo has no king.) This saying demonstrates that no man is a lord of another man.
Igbos do not submit in the face of oppression. They always want to fight until the drop of their last blood. It is recorded that during the TransAtlantic Slave Trade, the rate of suicide was common among the Igbo captives. They chose death over serving another man.
5. The Igbo People hold brotherhood in high esteem.
The Igbo people are family-loving. They always want their children to meet their relatives and get to know them. Many children spend their school breaks and holidays visiting their relatives. Also, they commune with one another wherever and whenever they share things in common. They are known for belonging to many organizations like trade unions, development unions, social clubs, state, and local governments and village unions amongst others.
6. Ndi Igbo are proud of their culture.
Ndi Igbo represent their culture with pride and a great sense of responsibility. They love associating with their language, food, dressings, music and dances. They take their culture with them wherever they find themselves. Prominent figures like Chinua Achebe, Pete Edochie, Chigozie Obioma, Chimamanda Adichie, Ngozi Okonji Iweala, Ifeanyi Ubah, Cletus Ibeto, Obinna “Obi Cubana” Iyiegbu and many others outrightly demonstrate their affinity to their culture even at the international space. Even when they are out of their country, they come together to celebrate some of their festival.
7. Ndi Igbo are highly intelligent people.
The Igbo is one of the smartest and most intelligent tribes in the world. There are speculations and few researches which revealed that the Igbo are the most intelligent black African race. Their intelligence is not limited to the academic field alone. It extends to the financial field too.
In a nutshell, the Igbo people of Nigeria in Africa are a tribe with many many fascinating facts about their origin, culture, belief and practices. They leave their comfort zone to look for greener pastures yet remember their home; their trade apprenticeship system has proven to be successful; they are industrious, ambitious, dogged, success-driven, smart and intelligent. They try to export their culture and are delighted in their family. Nevertheless, the outlined facts are based on the majority of the Igbo people as there are still some Igbo people who do not conform to the traits above.
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