Export of Oil Palm Produce from Esan in the Colonial Period

Abstract

The paper examined the export of oil palm produce from Esan in the colonial period and its impact on the domestic economy. Prior to the formal imposition of colonialism in Esanland in 1900, communally owned oil palm trees grew wild and were found everywhere in Esan land. Palm oil and palm kernel were used to meet the basic socioeconomic needs of the people. In addition, they served as means of exchange and measures of value. The imposition of colonialism in Esan, like in other parts of the country, expanded export of palm oil and palm kernel. They were needed for the industries in Europe for the manufacturing of soap, candles, margarine, cooking fat, pharmaceutical products, livestock feeds and as lubricants for industrial machines. The need for cash in the newly introduced “monied” economy made women to abandon the growing of needed food crops. Instead, they concentrated on the processing and trading in oil palm produce. This development had implications for the domestic economy. It was argued that although many women benefited and were empowered from the processing and the trading in oil palm produce for export, the domestic or traditional economy suffered.

Key Words: Oil palm produce, export, industries, domestic economy. Cash economy. Colonial period