Indigenous Socio-political and Cultural Similarities in Africa: The Case of the Igbo of Nigeria and the Jola of the Gambia

Abstract

A major thrust of this paper’s analysis is the indigenous socio-political and cultural similarities in Africa, in particular the case of the Igbo of Nigeria and the Jola tribe of The Gambia. The study aims at identifying the areas of similarities between these cultures in a context in which indigenous cultural and socio-political framework of society has witnessed significant transformations over the years. Using multi case studies strategy of inquiry, this paper addressed two key broad research questions, first, whether veritable similarities could be found between the two cultures, or whether identified similarities mere coincidence or did arise from the fact both groups having the same ancestry but subsequently dispersed into different directions and locations in search for arable lands?  Second, does ethno-cultural interrelatedness of societies arise from shared historical ancestry? In this context, it established strong link between the cultures the Igbo of Nigeria and the Jola ethnic of The Gambia suggesting that the similarities are real and pervasive. The paper further suggests that the complex network of relationships and kinship ties found in both Igbo and Jola cultures appear to provide the impetus for persisting social consciousness and observance of the customs, traditions, and cultural ethos, attitudes and perceptions that animate and sustain cultural colourations, which have survived over the years retaining some key cultural elements of traditional society that sets them apart from other ethno-cultural groups in contemporary West Africa.