TwoCents | Who said women were not powerful in pre-colonial Nigerian society? Has he or she heard about Ibaan Isong?

Prior to the advent of Westernisation to this part of the world, women were not only in charge of their societies, they also contributed immensely to the political, economic and social development of their societies. Women created lofty ideas as well as mediums through which they checkmated paternal excesses in their respective homes. They were brave and courageous such that their presence was highly revered. In traditional Ibibio society, women governments or associations existed one of which is called "Ibaan Isong." While "Ibaan". means women, "Isong" means land. Thus, the association signified "Women of the land." Ibaan Isong was a powerful association for women in Ibibio land. It is believed that when the men were engaged in battle, members of Ibaan Isong used to perform a ritual war dance in male attire to give the enemies the impression that the warriors had not left the village. What a strategic art and act of war? Also, when a warrior was killed in battle, it was members of Ibaan Isong that carried him for funeral. The women association also had judicial functions in Ibibio land as members always sought and obtained redress for any injustice meted out to their members by men. Interestingly, it is believed that any man who allowed his stray animals to destroy women's crops during planting seasons could be punished by the group. Again, foul and subjective languages against any member of the group.was subjected to severe punishment by the Ibaan Isong. These penalities could take the form of beating, house arrest, curses, status dwindling songs, material and monetary fines and forcing the victim to look at the private parts of women. Elaborately, having gotten a report of an abuse of a woman in Ibibio land, the women would surround the compound of the culprit very early in the morning and wake him up. When he comes out of the house, he would be surrounded and members of the compound would be ordered to leave the premises. When this was done, they prayed to God who created women and endowed them with the sexuality which enabled both men and women to pass into the world, but which the culprit had disgraced to kill the man, and not give him any child. They equally prayed and called upon the Gods and Goddesses to kill the man whenever he attempted sexual intercourse with any woman. Consequently, it is believed that men who face this situation die immediately after the visit to his compound by the women, if their demands were not met. And it was in this manner that Ibibio women gained respect from their husbands among other people in the society. But come to think of it, who would not want to respect these women knowing fully well of its repercussions? Imagine being surrounded by a group of women by 6am in the morning and beaten mercilessly or even forced to look at their private parts? Such punishment is indeed ridiculously damning for a man and his ego during the in time in question. Overall, women in pre-colonial Ibibio society were revered and included in the trend of important events that matter. The Ibaan is evident to this assertion.

Other insights from Ugochukwu Asiogu