IGBO MIGRATION AND THE FUTURE OF TRADITIONAL PARADIGMS

Résumé

This paper studies Igbo migration and its consequences on the cultural and traditional paradigms of the Igbo. Geographically speaking, Igbo land is located in the South Eastern region of what is known as Nigeria. The southern part of Nigeria exhibits a wide variety of topographical features. It is situated within the parallels of 6 and 8 east longitudes and 5 and 7 north latitudes. As a culture area, it is made up of Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia and parts of the Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States of Nigeria. In its status as an ethnic group, the Igbo share common boundaries with other ethnic groups: eastward, the Yakos and Ibibios; westwards, with the Binis and the Isokos, Warri; northward, with the Igalas, Idomas, and the Tivs, and southward, the Ijaws and Ogonis. Not minding their geographical localization, the Igbo has the tendency of the Igbo to migrate to other lands and consciously decide to settle, build homes and develop those lands. Some even assume traditional titles and begin to command influence in the Diaspora unlike other people who migrate to other lands, acquire wealth and repatriate the wealth to develop their homeland. The Igbo deviation from the grand norm of global migration philosophy has created a strange culture that raises fundamental questions about the traditional paradigm of the Igbo. The method of research employed in this paper is the historical and hermeneutic methods of investigation. It argues that in spite of Igbo migration, her traditional paradigms will not go extinct.