The Implications of Rapid Development on Igbo Sense of Communalism

ABSTRACT Communalism is the practice of people living together sharing things and responsibilities in common. It entrenched the norm of mutual assistance among the members of the society and brought about cordial harmonious living devoid of self. This leads to bearing one another’s burden in every aspects of life. In Igbo society, it was a cherished heritage. But with the advent of Euro-Christian development in Igbo land, communalism was very much influenced. This research work is poised to investigate how rapid development has influenced Igbo communal values. This is done using both descriptive and analytical methods. Through oral interview, it was discovered that rapid development has eroded the practice of communalism in Igbo land; making this aspect of the Igbo culture to be on the pathway to extinction. Recommendations however are made as to what should be done by the individual members and the society at large to salvage this aspect of Igbo cultural heritage from going into oblivion.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page ----------------------------------------------------------- i

Approval Page------------------------------------------------------ ii

Dedication ---------------------------------------------------------- iii

Acknowledgement ------------------------------------------------- iv

Abstract ------------------------------------------------------------ vi

Table of Contents ------------------------------------------------- vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study ------------------------------------ 1

1.2 Statement of problem ---------------------------------------- 3

1.3 Aims of the study --------------------------------------------- 4

1.4 Scope of the study -------------------------------------------- 5

1.5 Significance of the study ------------------------------------ 5

1.6 Research methodology --------------------------------------- 6

1.7 Definition of terms ------------------------------------------- 8

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 The concept of communalism in Igbo society ---------- 13

2.2 The nature of Igbo communal system ------------------- 27

2.3 The emergence of Euro-Christian world view or

 culture in Igbo society ------------------------------------- 31

2.4 The response of the Igbo to the Euro-Christian

Culture ------------------------------------------------------- 34

CHAPTER THREE: FACTORS THAT ENHANCED

COMMUNALISM IN IGBO SOCIETY

3.1 The socializing agents-------------------------------------- 39

3.2 Cultural factors --------------------------------------------- 49

3.3 Festivals in Igbo land -------------------------------------- 54

3.4 Rites of passage in Igbo society --------------------------- 58

3.5 Ostracism ---------------------------------------------------- 65

CHAPTER FOUR: THE IMPACTS OF RAPID

DEVELOPMENT ON IGBO

COMMUNALISM

4.1 The Agents of rapid development ------------------------- 67

4.2 The impacts of rapid development on Igbo

 social structure----------------------------------------- 77

viii

4.3 The implications of rapid development on

 Igbo communal values ----------------------------------- 85

CHAPTER FIVE: FACTORS MILITATING AGAINST THE

PRACTICE OF COMMUNALISM IN IGBO

SOCIETY

5.1 The agents of change --------------------------------------- 96

5.2 The breakdown of Igbo system of socialization--------101

5.3 The decline in the traditional way of maintaining

 Order------------------------------------------------------103

5.4 The departmentalized/compartmentalized ways

 of living---------------------------------------------------108

CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

6.1 Summary----------------------------------------------------111

6.2 Recommendation-------------------------------------------113

6.3 Limitations to the study-----------------------------------118

6.4 Suggestions for further study----------------------------118

REFERENCES ----------------------------------------------------

120