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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Title societies and personhood attainment among the Awka Igbo |
Author: | Webb, G. |
Year: | 1985 |
Periodical: | West African Journal of Archaeology |
Volume: | 15 |
Pages: | 103-131 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Nigeria |
Subjects: | social inequality Igbo initiation |
Abstract: | The graded title society system found in the Igbo village group of Awka, southeastern Nigeria, as it operated during the early decades of the twentieth century, is discussed both in terms of its significance for Awka social organization and its role in connection with the individual attainment of personal identity. Of the three main title systems found in Igbo country, it is the 'Ozo' system which is practised in Awka. A man's initiation into an Awka title society commonly implied an increment both in social and mystical endowments, and there is a fit between each major title in the Awka system and the stage in a man's moral career wherein it is considered appropriate to acquire it. Furthermore, the rites of initiation into the major Awka title societies not only publicly proclaim the neophyte's new status, but they also contribute towards the modification of the neophyte's own conception of his personhood. The author first presents an account of the Ozo title, the acme of the Awka title society system, before describing the other major Awka titles - Amanwulu, Chi and Ajaghija - which derive part of their significance from their relationship to the Ozo title. Bibliogr., notes, sum. |