PREFACE
Igbo Ukwu is an African Iron Age
archaeological site located near the modern town of Onitsha, in the forest zone
of southeastern Nigeria. Igbo-Ukwu was discovered in 1938 by workmen who were
digging a cistern and professionally excavated by Thurston Shaw in 1959/60 and
1974. Eventually, three localities were identified: Igbo-Isaiah Igbo-Richard,
and Igbo-Jonah. For an easier
clarification of the study, it was broken down into chapters. Chapter one
introduced the concept to be discussed as well as its historical background. Chapter
two addresses the Igbo Ukwu Site, its early discovery and its arts and
excavations while Chapter three concludes the topic discussed.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Igbo-Ukwu
is a town in Anambra state of Nigeria in the southeastern part of the country.
The town comprises three quarters namely Obiuno, Ihite, and Ngo with several
villages within each quarter and thirty-six(36) administrative wards. The town
is located along the major road running from Nnewi to Aguata and is 40
kilometres South-east of Unitsha. Igbo-Ukwu town is made up of seven villages
namely: Obunu, Ngo, Umudege, Ezihu, Akukwa, Etiti and Ezigbo. These villages
are sub-divided into kindreds. The village is the basic unit of political
organization, while traditional government is carried out through two
institutions: (i) a Council of elders which is made up of family heads who hold
the 'ofo, (staff of their different families), (ii) the village assembly of
which every grown-up male is a member. Matters regarding tradition, customs and
rituals are referred to the council of elders which is made up of the 'Nze na
Ozo' (the titled men) while important matters or policy affecting the life of
the villagers are decided by 'the village assembly on the basis of consensus.
This takes place either in the village square or at a designated place.
1.1 Historical Background
According
to history, the original name of Igbo-Ukwu was 'Igbo'. However, in 1942, the
word 'Ukwu' was added to it to distinguish it from the other Igbo-speaking people.
The nearest neighbours of Igbo-Ukwu are: Oreri, Ichida, Azigbo, Awka-Etiti,
Nnewi, Amichi, Ikenga, Isuofia, Aguluzigbo, Umuona, Ekwulurnili and Ezinifite.
These towns have and share the same art and other cultural traditions with
their Igbo-Ukwu neighbours.
It is not yet known when/Igbo-Ukwu occupied
their present settlement. According to recent archaeological discoveries (Shaw,
'l970), it is believed that some ancient Igbo-Ukwu people settled in this area
earlier than 9th century A.D. Accordiny to R.E. Afigbu (1980), Igbo-Ukwu falls
into the geo-cultural region of Awka- Okigwe-0rlu which,as this author has
suggested, forms the core of the Igbo culture and history, It is this core that
represents the Igbo cultural nucleus and contains the most flourishing
traditions of the Igbo evident in wood carving, iron working as well as ritual
specialization of the Nri diviners and medicine men, Based on linguistic
evidence, he has sugqested that the people settled in this area about three
thousand years ago. If one relates this evidence to the 005 AD date For the
Igbo-Okwu bronze objects, then one can easily suggest great antiquity for the
Igbo-Ukwu bronze objects, their history and cultural traditions.
That point in time You recall you didnt write out a table contents. Pardon my Manner. Here is the Table of contents! Oya Hit me
CHAPTER
ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Historical Background
CHAPTER TWO: THE IGBO
UKWU SITE
2.1 Early
Discovery
2.2 The
Igbo Ukwu Arts and Excavations
2.2.1 Igbo-Ukwu
Burials
2.2.2 Artifacts
at Igbo-Ukwu
2.2.3 Analysis
of the Beads
CHAPTER THREE: Conclusion
Click Here to Read Chapter Two and Three
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