SS2: GOVERNMENT – 2ND TERM Pre-Colonial Political Administration In Nigeria | Week 4, 5 & 6 Theory Questions – Pre-Colonial Political Administration In Nigeria

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Theory Questions – Pre-Colonial Political Administration In Nigeria

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Theory Questions and Answers – Pre-Colonial Political Administration In Nigeria

Theory Questions and Answers – Pre-Colonial Political Administration In Nigeria:

1. What were the features of Hausa/Fulani Pre-Colonial Political system?

2. What were the features of Yoruba Pre-Colonial Political System?

3. Discuss the features of Igbo traditional societyThe term society is derived from the Latin word 'socius' meaning friendship or companionship. Society is a community, nation or group of people who share the same traditions, institutions, rules and... More.

4. What are the functions of traditional rulers in traditional African Society?

5. What are the functions of age grades in Pre-Colonial Igbo society?

6. Discuss the functions of the Ogboni cult in the Oyo empire.

7. Write short notes on the following:

(a) Village Assembly

(b) Families

(c) Council of Chiefs

(d) Kingmakers

(e) Oracle Priests.

8. Differentiate between Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani Administration pre-colonial.

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Responses

Theory Questions – Pre-Colonial Political Administration In Nigeria

1. What were the features of Hausa/Fulani Pre-Colonial Political system?

Answer:

(i) The administrative system of Hausa/Fulani pre-colonial was characterised by the centralization of political power and authority. All political power was concentrated on the emir.

(ii) The people paid different forms of taxes to the emir. They paid Khnraji tax, Zakat and Jangali. All paid to sustain the administration.

(ii) Islamic law, Sharia was obeyed by all, including the Emir but the emir is empowered to make laws where Islamic law is silent.

(iii) Emirate was the largest administrative structure with Emir as the head of administration. The Emir was appointed by the Emir of Sokoto.

(iv) The system was theocratic in nature. Islamic religion guided the actions of the leader and his people. In addition, the Emir was a political, religious, and spiritual leader.

(v) Emirates were under the control of Emirs of Sokoto and Gwangu and, therefore lacked republican status.

(vi) Their society was highly stratified, segmented into the upper, middle, and lower classes and the Talakawas.

(vii) Emirates kept a standing army to defend the emirate under the control of Madawaki.

(viii) Emirates judicial system was based on Sharia laws headed by Islamic Scholars, alkali but Emir’s court was the highest court.

2. What were the features of Yoruba Pre-Colonial Political System?

Answer:

(i) Yoruba pre-colonial administration operated constitutional monarchy. The Oba-in-Council made the law, implemented the law, and settled cases.

(ii) There existed a council of a senior chief, the seven hereditary Oyomesi led by Bashorun. The council and the Oba, exercised legislative, executive, and judicial powers to ensure peace, success, and good governance of the Kingdom.

(iii) There was the existence of the principles of checks and balances in the system.

(iv) There was the existence of the Ogboni cult that checked the excesses of Oba and Oyomesi.

(v) The system had a standing army to defend its territory from external attacks led by Are-Onakakanfo.

(vi) Rulership was hereditary. A new Oba is selected by the Oyomesi among the ruling families.

(vii) There was the existence of a Chief priest who performed religious functions mediated between the Oba and their gods.

(viii) The Oba was the paramount ruler.

(ix) The system was democratic. Oba did not possess absolute power. Oba and his council of chiefs exercised political power and there were principles of checks and balances including removing an errant Oba by presenting him with an empty Calabash.

3. Discuss the features of Igbo traditional society.

Answer:

(i) The village was the highest administrative structure. Compound or family was also a unit of administration.

(ii) There was the existence of decentralization of power. Political power and authority were fragmented or segmented as different political institutions exercised political power e.g Umunna, Ohana-eze, Ndiiche

(iii) Council of elders, Ndiiche, and the family heads played important roles in the administration of villages. They implemented laws and settled cases.

(iv) Decisions were reached through consensus.

(v) Age grades played an important role in pre-colonial Igbo society as they implemented laws and defended the community from external attacks.

(vi) The villages and communities were republican or autonomous.

(vii) Successions to leadership or power were by achievement.

(viii) Ozo title holders played an important role in traditional Igbo society.

(ix) There was a fusion of religions, and judicial and political functions in administration.

(x) Deities and Oracles provided a bond of unity among the people.

4. What are the functions of traditional rulers in traditional African Society?

Answer –

(i) Traditional rulers made laws according to the traditions and customs of the people for the good governance of the people.

(ii) They maintained law and order. They mobilized the people most especially the youth to maintain law and order.

(iii) Traditional rulers settled disputes. They passed judgements and interpreted customary laws and conventions.

(iv) They preserved native laws and customs. They were the custodians of the customs and traditions of the people and ensured the preservation and promotion of customs and traditions of the people.

(v) They appointed subordinate chiefs such as Baale.

(vi) Traditional rulers recruited able-bodied men to defend their communities from external invasions.

(vii) They collected tribute and taxes from the people.

(viii) They conferred honours and awards to deserving members of the community.

(ix) They allocated the community’s resources to the people e.g. land. They also allocated War bounties to deserving members of the community.

(x) Traditional rulers performed religious and ceremonial functions In Hausa/Fulani societies. The Emirs were the religious and spiritual leaders of the people.

(xi) They also mobilized their people on community development projects.

(xii) Traditional rulers maintained relationships with other communities.

5. What are the functions of age grades in Pre-Colonial Igbo society?

Answer –

(i) Age grades helped to enforce decisions, policies and laws in the community.

(ii) They helped to defend their communities against external attacks.

(iii) They executed communal works and projects such as the construction of pathways or roads, market squares, cleaning the streams, etc.

(iv)They were the community police. They maintained law and order.

(v) The older age-grades checked the dictatorial tendencies of paramount rulers and the council of elders.

(vi) They perform ceremonial and cultural functions during important occasions e.g. dancing during new yam festivals.

(vii) They socialized among themselves. They built houses for one another and helped one another as they got married.

6. Discuss the functions of the Ogboni cult in the Oyo empire.

Answer:

(i) They checked the abuse of power of Oba and Oyomesi.

(ii) They defended the community in times of War.

(iii) It performed rituals aimed toward evil spirits and appeasing the gods for the sins of the community.

(iv) It preserved the customs and traditions of the people.

(v) It served as the final court of appeal to both civil and criminal cases.

(vi) It helped in the dethronement or deposition of an errant Oba.

(vii) It approved the decisions and policies of the Oba and his advisers.

7. Write short notes on the following:

(a) Village Assembly

Answer:

Village Assembly was the highest law-making organ in Igbo traditional society. All the male adult citizens took part in public decision-making. Decisions were reached by consensus. Their functions included:

(i) Making laws that were binding for good governance.

(ii) The Village Assembly was the custodian of the culture and values of the society.

(b) Families

Answer:

They were leaders of the individual families. They helped settle minor disputes within families.

(c) Council of Chiefs

Answer:

This council of chiefs (elders) was evident in Igbo traditional society. It consisted of heads of different families and some members of the “Nzenaozo” society.

Their functions include:

(i) Council of elders settled disputes involving different families.

(ii) They presided over the meetings of the village assembly.

(iii) They performed ceremonial and religious functions.

(d) Kingmakers

Answer:

(i) Oyomesi initiated laws.

(ii) They advised the Oba on good governance of the community.

(iii) They helped in the maintenance of law and order.

(iv) They ensured that the policies and decisions of the Oba were implemented.

(v) They check the excesses of the Oba.

(e) Oracle Priests.

(i) Different deities had priests that served them e.g. Sango, Obatala, Amadioha, etc. The priest performed religious functions.

(ii) They made laws. Their proclamations were sacred and all obeyed.

(iii) They served as mediators between the people and their gods and ancestors.

(iv) They checked the excesses of the traditional rulers, Ogboni, and the council of elders.

8. Differentiate between Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani Administration pre-colonial.

Answer:

Comparison of Different Pre-Colonial Administrations in Nigeria (Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo)

(i) The Hausa/Fulani Political system had the emirate as its administrative structure, the kingdom was for the Yoruba political system while the Igbo political structure had the village as its unit of administration.

(ii) The head of the Hausa/Fulani political system, the Emir wielded absolute power. It operated absolute monarchy, Yoruba pre-colonial operated constitutional monarchy; while the Igbo operated a republican democratic system.

(iii) The Hausa/Fulani political system was guided by Sharia law. The system was theocratic. Oba and his council of chiefs made laws for the good governance of their Kingdom according to the customs and traditions of the people.

(iv) Political power was decentralized. Different socio-political institutions exercised political power. In the Yoruba political system, there was some degree of decentralization of political power. In the Hausa/Fulani system, political power was highly centralized on the Emir.

(v) The taxation system and payment of tributes were inherent in the Hausa/Fulani political system. In the Yoruba political system, there was the payment of tributes (crops, livestock) to the Oba or Baale. Taxation, and payments of tribute were alien to the Igbo political system.

(vi) There was the existence of a standing Army that defended their territories in the Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba pre-colonial political system.

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