HISTORY: How Igbo Measure Wealth by the Amount of Yam Barn a Man Owns

In precolonial Igbo society, owning yam barns was a significant measure of wealth. The Igbo people, who are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, had a profound respect for agriculture and held the yam crop in high esteem. The yam was not just a staple food in Igbo society but was also a symbol of wealth and power.

The Igbo people were primarily farmers who cultivated yams, cassava, maize, and other crops. However, yam farming was considered the most important and prestigious of all their agricultural activities. The yam crop was not only a source of nourishment but also represented a significant aspect of the Igbo culture, religion, and economy.

In precolonial Igbo society, yam barns were used to store and preserve yam tubers. These barns were large, circular structures made of mud and thatched roofs. The size and number of yam barns a person owned were an indication of their wealth and status in the community. Owning more than one yam barn was a symbol of affluence and power, and it was a status symbol that was highly respected.

The yam crop was so significant that the Igbo people held an annual festival known as the New Yam Festival, which was celebrated to mark the beginning of the yam harvest season. The festival was a time of feasting, dancing, and socializing. It was an opportunity for the Igbo people to thank their gods for the bountiful harvest and to showcase their wealth and prosperity.

During the New Yam Festival, the Igbo people displayed their yam crops in front of their houses. The size and quality of the yams were a measure of the owners’ wealth and status in the community. The yam tubers were arranged in a particular order, with the largest and best yams at the front, and the smaller ones at the back. The display of yams was a way of showing off one’s wealth and power.

In precolonial Igbo society, the ownership and control of land were integral to the accumulation of wealth. Land was a valuable asset that was used for farming, building houses, and establishing businesses. The Igbo people believed that land was not just a physical possession but also a spiritual one. The land was considered sacred, and owning a piece of land was a sign of prestige and power.

In conclusion, yam farming and the ownership of yam barns were significant measures of wealth in precolonial Igbo society. The size and number of yam barns one owned were a symbol of affluence and power. The New Yam Festival was an occasion for the Igbo people to showcase their wealth and prosperity. The Igbo people’s respect for agriculture and the yam crop played a significant role in their culture, religion, and economy.

Written by Jideofo Okibe,(Obinwannem News correspondent Enugwu State)
Date: May 03, 2024
Ubochi Orie mmiri
Published by Ngozi Odoh (Obinwannem Nsukka Office Secretary)