IGBO ROYALTY

"The Igbo People and the Significance of the Igwe Title"

The term "Igwe" has long been associated with traditional rulers among the Igbo people, commonly interpreted as "King." However, its literal meaning is "heaven" or "heavenly," serving as a salutation denoting "your highness."

The adoption of the Igwe title can be traced back to the early 1900s, particularly by warrant chiefs in the Anambra/Enugu region. Nevertheless, the origin of Igwe as a salutation for Kings (Obi) can be found in the Oru and western Igbo communities that had well-structured monarchies. In some towns, like Ase, it was the very title of the King. The Igwe cult, dedicated to the sky god, was notably prevalent among Oru clans.

Kings in places like Onitsha, Oru, and western Igbo communities were regarded as divine beings, almost like demigod sons of heaven, and "Igwe" was used to acknowledge their exalted status. In these traditional settings, Kingship was typically confined to one lineage, with even members of the royal family, such as the Princes (Umudei), being greeted with the title "Igwe."

Historical records indicate that in the Eastern Igbo hinterland, town chiefs were commonly referred to as "Eze" (chief priest). Much of Igbo society operated as a theocracy, with the Eze serving as chief priests or, as some described, priest-kings. These societies didn't conform to the traditional monarchical model but rather functioned as republican communities where the Eze held a central role in consensus-building.

The introduction of the warrant chief system was modeled after the British monarchical system, which didn't seamlessly integrate into Igbo society due to the absence of traditional legitimacy or the role of priestly leadership.

The earliest documents refer to traditional rulers in places like Obosi, Nri, Aguleri, Aguata, Eke, and Udi as "Eze." The adoption of the Igwe title gained momentum in the 1950s, especially during the political debates surrounding traditional rulership in the Eastern Igbo region. Today, the title has undergone significant changes, with some villages requiring people to purchase a form to contest for the position.