Identify any six features of the igbo traditional societies.
Explanation
(I) Decentralized administration.
(ii) The village was the highest unit of administration.
(iii) Existence of village assembly (Oha-na-eze/Umunna).
(iv) The village priest/diviner wielded great deal of religious and judicial powers.
(v) Significant position of age grades.
(vi) The family heads played important role in the administration of the village.
(vii) Title holders (Ozo title) played significant role in the traditional political system.
(viii) Decisions were reached by consensus.
(ix) Succession to leadership/coming into prominence was based on personal achievements.
(x) Political significance of deities in providing bonds of unity.
(xi) There was the existence of Council of Elders (Ama-ala) presided over by the eldest son in the village.
(xii) The market square served as the village assembly chambers.
(xiii) The women (Umuada), composed of the first daughter of each family, constituted a socio-political group.
(xiv) Banishment from the village/escort into the evil forest was the maximum judicial punishment.
(xv) New Yam Festival was religiously marked, honoured and celebrated annually.