Pre-colonial economy of Igala society

Abstract

The mainstay of Igala pre-colonial economy was mainly agrarian, just like every other pre-colonial African societies. However, occupations ranging from crop farming, fishing, weaving, dyeing, canoe building, animal husbandry and production and trading of herbal medicine were the order of the day. Their interactions with other societies made her agricultural occupation to be dynamic as it moved from subsistence level to a market and exchange economy. Throughout the vicissitude of history, man has always moved from one place to another in search for better economic activities. Hence, Igala people developed long distance trade with their neighbours such as the Yoruba, Igbo, Nupe, Tiv, Idoma, Edo and others around them. This type of economy brought a considerable development to Igalaland before the advent of colonialism. This economic strength has continued up to post-colonial and post-independence Nigeria, such that the Igala people in present day Kogi state of Nigeria have become part and parcel of the economic dynamics of independent Nigeria.