History of the Igboland people according to "Wikipedia"

Igboland, or Southeastern Nigeria (Standard Igbo: Àlà Ị̀gbò) is a non-governmental cultural region and a linguistic area in Nigeria that is defined by the Igbo culture and Igbo language. It is primarily situated in the Niger Delta region of West Africa, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean to its south. It has lands on both sides of the lower Niger River although the larger chunk of the region is situated on the east of the river. The region is surrounded by a host of large rivers. Igboland's culture has been shaped by its rainforest climate. As it constitutes a large part of the south eastern part of Nigeria, it is often referred to as the 'The East' locally. The majority of the Igbo-speaking population in Igboland identify as ethnic Igbo.
The earliest found settlements in Igboland date back to 4,500 B.C in the central area where the majority of the Igbo-speaking population is believed to have migrated from. The northern Igbo Kingdom of Nri, which rose around the 10th century, is credited with the foundation of much of Igboland's culture, customs, and religious practices and is also the oldest existing monarchy in present-day Nigeria. In southern Igboland several groups developed of which the most notable was the Aro confederacy. Igboland was part of the Southern Nigeria colony of the British Empire and was amalgamated into modern day Nigeria in 1914 which gained its independence in 1960. Shortly afterward Igboland was involved in its biggest war during Biafra's movement for secession which eventually ended in 1970 when Igboland rejoined Nigeria.

Ancient history

Early settlement of Igboland dates back to 4,500 B.C based on early pottery work found in the Okigwe-Nsukka axis.^[3] Much of the Igbo population is believed to have migrated from a smaller area in this region moving on to birth several independent Igbo-speaking tribes, village-groups, kingdoms and states with varying Igbo dialects and cultures. Igboland before the modern period was politically fragmented. The northern Igbo Kingdom of Nri, rising around the 10th century, is credited with the foundation of much of Igboland's culture, customs, and religious practices and is also the oldest existing monarchy in present-day Nigeria.
A few other kingdoms were founded in Igboland after Nri either directly or indirectly as a result of it; the most powerful kingdom of these was the Aro Confederacy which rose in the Cross River region in the 17th century and declined after British colonisation in the early 20th century.
In southern Igboland several groups developed mostly independently of Nri influence; most of these groups followed a migration out of Isu communities in present day Imo State, although some communities, such as the Mbaise cluster of village groups, claim to be autochthonous.

Middle era

Igbo-Ukwu was the site of an early indigenous bronze industry that was rediscovered in the 20th century. Many of the items recovered were ritual objects like this 9th century bronze vessel.

 

 

 

 

 

Igbo trade routes of the early second millennium reached the cities of Mecca, Medina and Jeddah through a network of trade routes journeyed by middle men.^[4] There was evidence of beads that originated in India in the 9th century Igbo Ukwu burial sites in which thousands of glass beads were uncovered from the ruined remains of a nobleman's garments. The burial site was associated with the Nri Kingdom which began around the same century according to indigenous history.^[5]
The Niger coast near Igboland acted as a contact point between African middle men and European traders from the years 1434–1807, beginning with the Portuguese, then the Dutch and finally the British.^[6] Igboland was historically known as the Ibo(e), Ebo(e), and Heebo Country by early European explorers.^{[7][8][9][10][11]} Igboland was conquered by the British Empire after several decades of resistance on all fronts; some of the most famous of the resistance include the Ekumeku Movement, the Anglo-Aro War, and the Aba Women's Riots which was contributed to by women of different ethnic backgrounds in eastern Nigeria.

Geography and biodiversity

Map of Igboland in southeastern Nigeria^[13][14]

Énugwú

Umuahia

Bight of Biafra

Atlantic
Ocean

Bight of Benin

Nsukka

Obolo

Abakaleke

Igrita

Elele

Ahoada

Aba

Ogu

Ihiala

Okigwe

Oka

Onicha

Owerre

Obiaruku

Agbor

Niger
River

Ugwu Ọcha

Atakpa

Idu

Historically, Igboland has taken up a large part of southeastern Nigeria, mostly on the eastern side of the Niger River. It extends westward across the Niger to the regions of Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ukwuani, and Ika in present day Delta State and also minute parts of Edo State in Nigeria. Its eastern side is terminated by the Cross River, although micro-communities exist over on the other side of the river; its northernmost point enters the Savannah climate around Nsukka.
Bonny Island and Opobo are often included in the Igbo speaking region since the language of trade of the island and town is Igbo and since many inhabitants are ethnic Igbo. Through these ports, the Igbo speaking region reaches the Atlantic Ocean to its south, although both towns are geographically separated form the rest of Igboland by smaller Ijaw and Andoni speaking communities.
In Nigeria today, Igboland is roughly made up of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, and major parts of Delta and Rivers states.^[15] Small parts of Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Edo, and Kogi State make up the rest of Igboland. More than 30 million people inhabit Igboland and with a population density ranging from 1000 people per sq. mile in high density areas and 350 per sq. mile in low density areas^[16] it could be the densest area in Africa after the Nile Valley.^[17][18] Altogether Igboland has an area of some 15,800 to 16,000 square miles.^[1][19]

^{Enugu, the capital city of the old Eastern Region of Nigeria. Enugu is considered the "capital of Igboland" by netizens.}