SOURCE:

Faculty: Arts
Department: History & International Studies

CONTRIBUTORS:

Obienusi, I;
Ojiakor, N.E;

ABSTRACT:

The activities of the European colonialists have undeniably remained an interesting part of African historiography. Thus, in an attempt to periodise the continent’s history, we often hear of clichés like pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial periods (or times). The use of these clichés is a fair, impartial application of the role of colonialism in shaping the history and culture of the people. The purpose of the present study, therefore is motivated by the desire to re-construct the history of British conquest and colonization of Umuahia. The study also attempted to demonstrate that the Igbo responses to colonial innovation were not uniform but differed in places and times as has been posited by some scholars. The study authorized historical methodology in relevant literatures and it will be approached thematically and chronologically using the orthodox historical methods of narrative and analysis collected from elders in Umuahia and its environs. Moreover primary and secondary sources such as oral interviews, books, journals and newspapers by various scholars on colonial administration in Igbo land were consulted. The dissertation revealed how the British instituted the warrant chief system of political administration which benefited the British economically. In the Umuahia area of the then Bende Division, colonialism proved to be dysfunctional to the African society. The imposition of the British colonial rule, in general, led to many long-term social, economic and political consequences experienced in Umuahia under colonial rulership. It is hoped that the work will serve a modest contribution to the reconstruction of Umuahia historiography.