Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary 2

Pre-colonial administration II

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Term: 2nd Term

Week: 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2

Age: 16 years

Duration: 40 minutes of 2 periods each

Date:       

Subject:      Government

Topic:-       Pre-colonial administration II

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

  1. Discuss the system and structure of administration in pre-colonial Igbo government
  2. Discuss the roles of the system

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Videos, loud speaker, textbook, pictures

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

PERIOD 1-2

PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITY

STUDENT’S ACTIVITY

STEP 1

INTRODUCTION

The teacher reviews the previous lesson on pre colonial administration

Students pay attention

STEP 2

EXPLANATION

He discusses the system and structure of administration in pre-colonial Igbo government  

Students pay attention and participates

STEP 3

DEMONSTRATION

He discusses the role of the systems

Students pay attention and participate

STEP 4

NOTE TAKING

The teacher writes a summarized note on the board

The students copy the note in their books

 

NOTE

PRECOLONIAL ADMINISTRATION

IGBO POLITICAL SYSTEM

The Igbo pre-colonial political system was described by many scholars as an acephalous political system which can be described as leaderless or chief less political system. It was centralized and based on village and direct democracy where everyone in the village has the authority to contribute in decision making.

Their structures or organizations are categorized into different sections –

(i) The extended family

(ii) The kindred (umunna)

(iii) The village group also known as ohanaeze (General assembly)

(iv) The ofo title societies

(v) The ozo titles society

(vi) The people assembly (Ohanaeze)etc.

The village is the largest unit of the political system. The main groups are the Head of council of elders (Okpara), council of elders/Ofo tittle holders-→age grade-→Ozo title holders→Religious cult→Women

Each village was seen as a political unit inhabited by families who were bounded by common beliefs and origin. Each family head in the village held the Ofo title and altogether formed the Council of Elders. The council of Elders presided over important issues on the village’s welfare,

 

safety, development and so on. The most senior among the council of elders is called the Okpara. They i.e the Okpara maintained age long customs, traditions and laws of the land. These included laws against misbehavior or immoral acts in which suitable punishment is meted out to its perpetrators.

Another important institution is the Age Grade. This group consists of youngsters that belong to the same age group. The senior age group maintain peace and order in the village and provide security against external attacks while the junior handle sanitation and other minor duties.

The ozo title holders are wealthy and influential men who after getting the title become recognized and could then preside over meetings with the village elders

The priests cannot be left out as they are seen as the mouthpiece of the gods and are consulted by the council on matters beyond their powers

The head of the Ofos was called the Okpara. with the exception of onisha and Igbo speaking communities of Delta state, who were governed by traditional rulers known as obi. Most Igbo communities lacked centralized administration. By implication, a typical Igbo town was divided into autonomous communities headed by traditional rulers known as Igwe .

 

Structural Organization of the Igbo Political System

  1. The Village Administration: The Igbo political system is based on the village as a political unit. Each village was made up of families. Each family head held the Ofor tittle and they all formed the council of elders, which govern the village. The oldest Ofor title holder was referred to as the Okpara and presided over the council of elders meeting where decisions that affect the people are taken. During village meetings, all adults were expected to participate. Some functions of the village assembly include

          i. it made law that was binding on all for good governance of the society

          ii. serious cases were settled at the village assembly

          iii. the village assembly was the custodian of the culture, laws and values of the society

       a. Age grades: the Age grades comprises of young men divided into various groups according to their ages. Each age grade has a leader who coordinates their activities. The senior age group maintain peace and order in the village and provide security against external attacks while the junior handle sanitation and other minor duties.

       b. The Ozo title holders: comprise of wealthy and influential men. The title is very expensive and society respected such men and they could join the council of elders to debate on issues affecting the people.

       c. Women associations: they participate as a powerful pressure group. They socialize with their young ones by instilling in them good morals, political values and norms. They stood against corruption and oppression.

 

Duties/Functions of the Council Of Elders In The Traditional Igbo Political System

  1. They possess staff of authority called the OFO
  2. They act as an intermediary between their families and the ancestors
  3. They play host to important visitors during occasions
  4. They negotiate peace with their neighbors and other families when they quarrel
  5. They can also declare war with other families
  6. They preside over family meetings and they settle disputes within their families
  7. They are the custodians of culture and make laws for the village
  8. They are the custodians to family land and see to their preservation
  9. The council discussed and took decisions on issues that related to the general welfare of the community.
  10. Members performed judicial, religious and traditional functions on behalf of their community
  11. They assign responsibilities to the age grades

 

Role Of the Igbo Political System

  1. EXECUTIVE: Igbo pre-colonial system was decentralized and the three groups who perform the executive duties were the council of elders, age grades and the village assembly. Every adult had to power to contribute as affairs of the village were discussed. The council of elders ensured effective implementation of decisions of the village assembly. In some situations, the council delegated the age-grade and family units to implement such decisions under the direction of the Okpara.
  2. LEGISLATIVE: Legislative functions were made by the village assembly, the council of elders, age grades, ozo society, the priests and their deities. Decisions were taken at the village assembly through consensus. Everybody had equal right to expression and vote on issues. The council of elders presided over the meetings of the village assembly and decide on issues undecided by the assembly The villages made laws themselves. The age grade could also make laws which the elders accepted.
  3. JUDICIARY: Judicial activities in Igboland were carried out by the family, council of elders, the priests of deities, age grade and the village assembly. Family heads settled disputes among his family members. More serious issues involving members of different families were settled by council of elders and village assembly. Village assembly was the highest court of appeal. The priests presided over crime committed against the land or gods; the council of elders settled civil cases/crime while the age grade acted as policemen in the society/community.

 

Powers And Functions of the Ozo Title Holders

  1. An Ozo man commands respect because of his wealth as the title is very costly
  2. He gives protection to strangers in the community
  3. He gives protection to fugitives who needs protection
  4. He presides over meetings of elders and punishes/try offenders
  5. He settles disputes between families
  6. Family heads consult them before difficult decisions are made
  7. They offer useful advice to the council of elders
  8. They also lead the people in performing rites to appease the gods.

 

Duties Of the Age Grades

  1. They helped in implementing the policies and decisions of the various organs of the community
  2. Clearing of footpath
  3. Enforcement of law and order
  4. Serve as a check on the excessive use and abuse of political power by the council of elders
  5. They engaged in the collection of dues, fines and execution of punishments
  6. Defending the community against any external attack
  7. They performed ceremonial functions such as dancing
  8. They engaged in communal and civil work
  9. They constructed and maintained market places

 

Functions Of the Religious Organizations in Igbo Traditional System

  1. The priest appeases the gods for the sins of the people
  2. They mediate between the people and the ancestors
  3. They gave the people special protection against evil
  4. They performed rituals to usher in good harvest
  5. They performed judicial functions by settling disputes between people in the community
  6. They ensure peaceful society by maintaining law and order
  7. They performed useful ritual during the installation ceremonies of chiefs

 

Structural Organization of the Igbo Pre-Colonial Administration

  1. Kindred: a group of families called the Umunna. Headed by the eldest who has the Ofo title
  2. Village: largest unit of government and is the supreme body.
  3. Council of Elders: Members of the village council.
  4. Ndichie (Ozo Titled Men): titled men of integrity that settle disputes
  5. Age grades: perform executive functions.
  6. Umuada: Married daughters of kindred. Play major roles in settling family disputes.

 

Factors That Unite the Igbo Communities Despite the Fact That Igbos Had No Centralized Form Of Government Or Monarchical Institutions That Tend To Act As Unifying Factors.

  1. Common language: all Igbos understood themselves
  2. The oracles e.g Amadioha, Ubinukpabi, Ogbaegbu
  3. Supreme god: They believed in a supreme god called Chukwu or Chineke
  4. Simple form of government
  5. Age grades
  6. The same cultural patterns; marriage, trade, e.t.c.

 

EVALUATION:    1. Discuss the system and structure of the administration in pre-colonial Igbo government  

  1. Discuss the roles of the system

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively