To Examine Colonial Rule And The Socio-Economic Life Of Women In Uromi

Project and Seminar Material for History

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine colonial rule and the socio-economic life of women in Uromi. The scope of this work is focus on a major group in Edo state are of Nigeria. It will include the source of materials gathered which will be materials of those in who had written about the economic, social institution in Esan as well as oral interviews. The sources of materials will be sources of data for a historical analysis of economic development in uromi in the colonia period. The impact of colonialism through its various policy measures brought growth and development in the economic activities of women. The second factor was the heroic stiff resistance mounted by the various Esan chiefdoms. The British directed their attention to Esan in this endeavors, they were to realize that uinlike the Benin kingdom which succumbed immediately after the conquest of Benin City and the deposition of the Oba, they had to engage in series of battles before the people of Esan could be subdued.

Chapter One

Introduction

The socio- economic life of Uromi women obviously differed in some respect to other ethnic groups in Nigeria. A woman’s position varies according to the (1) kinship structure of the group and (2) role of women within the economic structure of the society, common factors among women of different ethnic groups, however included the domestically orientated jobs and the range or economic activities that the society reserved for women.

Economically speaking the people of Uromi maintains an agrarian economy where everybody effectively engaged in Agricultural practices, although most of them are simple farmers. The main crops are food crops, such as yams, corn, cocoyam’s, cassava, rice, plantain and fruits. The larger part of Esan – land is practically a forest region with the agricultural practice as main stay of the economy, which necessitated the emergence of other agro-allied industries. Moreover, the fertility of the soil is very high.

Women held a basically complementary rather than subordinate position to men in indigenous colonial society in Uromi, which based power on seniority rather than gender.

However, despite the lack of emphasis placed on gender by Nigeria indigenous societies, the lifestyle of the legislation concerning women, therefore attempted to control them, their sexuality and fertility further dxining their subordination. The beginning of colonial rule brought to Africa the European notion that women belonged in the home, nurturing their family. At the same time the societies expected women to work-work which the society considered complementary to that done by men.

The state and the beginning of colonial rule began to change the roles of women by means of legislation restricting women and focusing of colonial economy on men.

Aims and Objectives

The main objectives of this study is to examine colonial rule and the socio-economic life of women in Uromi other specific objectives include:

To critically examine the historical background of Esan as well as the political, social and economic institutions.
To investigate colonial rule and social economic life of Uromi women.

Scope of Work

The scope of this work is focus on a major group in Edo state are of Nigeria. It is restricted to an area called Uromi; in Esan land particularly women in Uromi during colonial period.

Methodology

In the course of research for this work relevant data and information here carried out from the main sources. These were primary and secondary sources.

Primary Sources: This section will present the study techniques that will be used for the study. It will include the source of materials gathered which will be materials of those in who had written about the economic, social institution in Esan as well as oral interviews.

Secondary Sources: Secondary sources, consulted in the university library. Edo state library included text books, journals and newspaper. These sources helped to provide data for a historical analysis of economic development in uromi in the colonial period.

Chapter Six

Conclusion

The history of the people of Esan-land and their traditional socio-political institutions with Uromi as a case study, from very early times reflect the capacity of the African people to evolve fort nenin selves highly sophisticated socio-political institutions which are very sufficient in the standard organization of society. These institutions and their duration in time land credence to the unique abilities on the Uromi people to maintain their own social-political institutions for the maintenance of the society.

Although, it is worthy of note that whatever has become of these institutions in terms of their evolution and continuity from pre-colonial times to present time, have been a common feature shared among the peoples of the Edoid group, which comprise the Benins, Urobho, Afenmia and other groups that were under the Benin Empire like the Itselari, Agbo Okpe etc. these group have maintained common socio-political institutions like monarchy and gerontocracy which are still maintained in present times.

The system of gerontocracy which is the rule by the elders it is a system that has evolved from the very early times of their settlement and still remains one of the basic sources of traditional political authority in present day Uromi. The procedure for climbing into higher levels of political authority which is based on age grade helps to ensure order in the socio-political hierarchy than fact that each level is endowed with certain tastes which are allocated to them based on their physical and mental capacity helps to ensure that everyone is involved in the governance of the society based on their capacity.

The fact that the basic Socio-Political unit which is the family at the village level are kept under the authority of the father in correspondence with the laws of the land helps to bring about general order in society. Also the establishment of the village unit and political authority base on blood of unity among the people, and ensure the supremacy of their nature law and customs among themselves.

The impact of colonial rule on the economic activities of Uromi women have been examined against the background of the role one functions of women in Uromi society before colonia compress and the period during colonial rule. It has shown that women had a subordinate status rationalized through an ideology which largely excluded them from participating in some economic activities. But the indispensable importance roles and functions were largely restricted to the household as a social unit in pre-colonial period and were given paternalistic protection by their male counterpart or husband.

Colonialism through its various policy measures brought growth and development in the economic activities of Uromi women. Those policies brought about changes and innovation the productive activities and also put them in an advantageous position with Uromi men and other non Uromi elements that dominated the most profitable aspects of the colonel economy.

The women were privilege to achieve socio-economic advancement through the development in their economic productive activities. This development in addition to the advantage position colonial experiences bastioned on the women and made them economically independent. Thus, colonialism gave Uromi women more leverage economically.