WOMEN INSTITUTIONS AND FESTIVALS IN AWKA-ETITI UP TO 1955
Abstract
The study of women’s contribution to society remains a very topical issues that accompany interests and responses of diverse degree. The status and roles of women in traditional Igbo society and Awka-Etiti in particular is multifaceted. Women played significant roles as mothers, wives, home makers, producers, social and political partakers as well as community leaders. The diversity and fluidity in their handling each roles emanates from the stance that the human person and in this case, women can play different roles at different time. The poignancy of the esteemed roles of women in the traditional Igbo society reflects in the institutions and festivals exclusive to them. There existed political and titular platforms through which women in the pre-colonial Awka-Etiti accessed power, experienced prominence and established near parity with men. Such were the Otu Odu, Ekwe and Ndindi institutions. These platforms ensured full visibility, relevance and active participation of women in the socio-political and economic setup of the community, thus reducing the inhibitions of patriarchy, redefining sisterhood whilst the women embraced more power. There also existed as a matter of recognition and importance, certain group formations and festivals that championed and celebrated the strength and femininity that marked womanhood in Awka-Etiti. Such were reflected in the Obuba and odunke festivals alongside the Inyom awka- an organization that encouraged cohesion amongst women. However, colonialism under the aegis of Christianity, western education and modern form of government distorted the traditional setup that promoted women and led into extinction some of these institutions and festivals particular to women. Adopting orthodox historical narrative and thematic method for analysis, using descriptive method to analyze oral information gathered from notable respondents, and information from secondary sources, this work aims at surveying the traditional institutions and festivals as practiced by women in Awka-Etiti up to 1955. The work submits that women in Awka-Etiti through such institutions maintained a semblance of autonomy and an in-depth appreciation of womanhood. It is thus imperative that such traditions which promotes positive Igbo cultural values should be restored as festivals are vital store houses in the preservation of history.