The events in Calabar and Owerri Provinces in Southern Nigeria in November and December of 1929 – known in Western social science literature as the ‘Aba Riots’, the Igbo call it the ‘Women’s War’ – are a natural focus for an investigation of the impact of colonialism on Igbo women. In that crisis can be found all the elements of the system that has weakened women’s position in Igboland and in much of the rest of Africa as well. The ‘Aba Riote’ are also a symbol of the invisibility of women. To call the events women’s War – in the Igbo context – is to direct attention to the existence of those female political and economic institutions that were not taken into account by the British, nor by contemporary social scientists. Sections of this paper. Traditional Igbo political institutions – Women’s political institutions – Colonial ‘penetration’ – The Women’s War – reforms, but not for women – missionary influence – economic colonialism Victorianism and women’s invisibility – Biafra and beyond. Notes; ref.
