“IFEDINOBA”: HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF PALM WINE INDUSTRY TO THE ECONOMY OF OBA PEOPLE IN IDEMMILI AREA OF IGBOLAND SINCE 1900

Abstract

Humans in their struggle for survival has over time developed diverse forms of economic activities and institutions. Hence, man has developed diverse industries around the world in time and space. One of such industries is the palm wine industry among the people of Oba in Idemmili area of Igboland. From the ancient times, the people of Oba have engaged in several economic activities that has provided the people with sources of livelihood. Neighbouring communities and people from far flung Igboland have come to know trade and cement relationships through contact provided by palm wine business. It has been the nexus for social, political, economic and cultural relations between Oba, their contiguous neighbours and other parts of Igboland. In fact, the palm wine industry has survived in Oba and has remained a source of employment to several people within and outside Oba. This study examines the impact of palm wine industry to the economic development of Oba. The paper postulates that the palm wine industry has been beneficial to several Oba indigenes and non-indigenes. Apart from those who ply their trade in palm wine industry, it serves as a veritable source of employment to such category of people as the wood carvers, motorcyclists, tricycle (keke) riders, and blacksmiths among many others. The study is of the view that the Oba people probably would not have been as popular as they are in Igboland today but for the palm wine industry. The approached to the study is interdisciplinary and presentation is thematic. Resources came largely from primary sources in the form of oral interviews and a few secondary sources where available, were consulted. The historical narrative and analytical methods were used. The conclusion is laced with helpful recommendations.