A Study on Colonialism and Change in Igboland

A Study on Colonialism and Change in Igboland: A Case Study of the Mbaise Area of Owerri Division 1902-1934

Abstract

This is the study of colonialism and change in Igboland, Southeastern Nigeria with a special focus on the Mbaise area of Owerri Division from 1902 to 1934. This study seeks to explain the nature of the changes that occurred in this area within the elected period. The study discovered that the pre-colonial sociopolitical and economic organizations in this area stood as an obstacle to the British expanding imperialist interest (exploitation of human and material resources). Consequently, these institutions were supplanted by the colonial state. The study revealed that the imposition of the Warrant Chief System on Igboland was to maintain those laws and order which at least ensured the protection of the British imperialist interests. By so doing, the colonial state solved the problem of inadequate numbers of staff and more significantly, insufficient funds, which would have prevented the realization of the main objective of colonialism. The major finding of this work is that the development of the Warrant Chief system of political administration benefited the British economically because it reduced the cost imperialism. Therefore, colonialism proved to be dysfunctional to the African societies in Mbaise area of Owerri division. The 165 study revealed that imposition of British colonial rule led to many long-term social, economic, and political consequences on Mbaise area.