Yesteryear in Umu-Akha: History and Evolution of an Igbo Community 1665 -1999

Yesteryear in Umu-Akha: History and Evolution of an Igbo Community, 1665-1999, is a pioneer study of an Igbo people in the Isuama subcultural group. It is in part in response to the call for the study of Igbo people on the micro scale, that is, at the local, else, subcultural divisional group level. It is believed that studies at this level will facilitate the writing of igbo history by making much easier the extraction of the traits and traditions common among the various communities or groups, for generalization at the pan-Igbo level. Although a number of such studies have been published lately, none is on the Isuama, despite its uniqueness. Located in Igbo heartland, in eastern Nigeria, Isuama is arguably the most populated subcultural group in Nigeria. The practice of the Osu caste system is prevalent in the area. Isuama dialect of the Igbo language was the first of its kind to be subjected to western scholarship as early as the last quarter of the 18th century. Umu-Akha as a community in the subcultural group has a special appeal as a unit of pre 20th century study because of the great advantage it offers in the understanding of Igbo culture and civilization. Unlike most of its sister communities, it is a constellation of villages with a long history, a common ancestor and under one ruler. Larger than the single village in size and population and possessing a wider range of traits and traditions more representative of its subcultural group, its history bears study; one that offers great opportunity for the extraction of the needed commonalities among the various groups and conveniently generalizable at the pan-Igbo level. The end result is the enrichment of knowledge of Igbo civilization. This book can be used as a text in any institution of higher learning for courses in African Studies, HIstory, Sociology, Religion, Political Science and even Comparative Institutions. It can equally serve the needs of the general reader interested in the cultures and customs of other peoples and races.