Reconsidering Intergroup Relations: the Historiography of Igala And Neighbouring Societies in the Niger-Benue Confluence.
THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF IGALA AND NEIGHBOURING SOCIETIES IN THE NIGER-BENUE CONFLUENCE.
Keywords:
Historiographical, Group Dynamics, Igala, Niger-Benue Confluence, African history.Abstract
This research explores the Igala people’s perceptions of their neighbours, offering an impartial perspective on interethnic relations. Although social science scholars have primarily researched culture and civilisation, their methodologies often establish hierarchical classifications, which hinder dialectical reasoning and marginalise African perspectives in
their historiography. Ake (1981) argues that this trend is linked to slavery, colonialism, and Eurocentric narratives that have shaped African historical studies. Despite being insufficiently researched, the Igala are frequently reduced to their opposition to British imperialism in the 19th and 20th centuries and their marginalisation in Nigeria. Pre-colonial Igala society had a sophisticated understanding of neighbouring communities, classifying them based on occupation, cuisine, and location, which contrasts with Eurocentric civilisational models that
depicted Africans as primitive. This study advocates a humanistic, multidisciplinary approach that democratises research by incorporating the perspectives of the communities studied, which is essential for historical objectivity. It introduces the “Igalanisation” approach, emphasising solidarity and collective humanity in addressing societal challenges. The research employs historical ethnography, combining oral interviews and descriptive analysis to construct a more comprehensive account. By focusing on Igala perspectives, this paper challenges existing paradigms and underscores the importance of indigenous knowledge
systems in reconstructing African history.
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