Traditions of Igbo Origins: A Comment

But if the problem that has so far engaged our attention has been extremely intricate, that which concerns the origin of the Ibo is still more so for it is a very maze within a maze. Here…we are face to face with an evolution which is practically interminable, for certain important complexities have to be taken into consideration. The problem of Igbo origins is indeed “a very maze within a maze.” It boggles the mind. Instead of one pan-Igbo tradition of origin there are almost as many traditions as there are those independent sub-cultural groups referred to as “clans” in the Intelligence Reports of the 1930s. In fact in some clans there are two rival traditions of origin. However, for clarity and ease of understanding, we shall here distinguish among three categories of traditions of origin found among the Ibgo people. Going from what I consider the least to the most relevant, these are: [a] traditions of oriental origin [b] traditions of origin from neighboring “great” states [c] traditions claiming autochthony.