The article highlights the vibrancy of Nigerian marketplaces, which Mrs. Ross found to be an exhilarating hub of activity. Women managed the bustling environment with humour and efficiency, even amidst the chaos of crowded lanes, where goods such as pots, mats, and poultry changed hands. She noted the community spirit that prevailed, often diffusing any tension with laughter and cooperation.
What stood out most to Mrs. Ross was the political and social authority exercised by Igbo women. Women’s councils played critical roles in agricultural matters, drafting and enforcing laws to protect crops and ensure justice. These councils, far from being auxiliary to men’s governance, held autonomous power in community decision-making. Their authority underscored the egalitarian nature of Igbo society, where women actively claimed full equality with men and often took the lead in crucial societal functions.
This article offers a historical lens into the cultural sophistication and progressive gender roles within Igbo society, challenging colonial-era perceptions of African communities as patriarchal or undeveloped.
References
Isaacson, C. (1944, December 12). In Nigeria It Is The Women Who Propound Laws—And Enforce Them. The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.: 1848-1957), p. 8. Retrieved July 14, 2018, from https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11374476.
