A COUNTRY'S ALBATROSS I

The pre 1914 protectorates of North and South where power houses and respectively had their destinies in their hands. Even with the annexation or if you like the occupation of the areas by the British, the owners of the land namely Hausa Fulani, in the North, the Yoruba and Bini in the South West, and the Ibo majority with the people of Anioma, Ogwashi, Igala who migrated to the Niger inland-Onitsha mixing up with the natives, the Ijaw, Ishekiri, Urohbo, Ibibio, Efik; they all were fending for themselves with a very boisterous trade relationships spanning to Timbuktu and Upper Volta regions. NORTHERN PROTECTORATE As early as 4000 AD, the the caliphate was up and running with its administrative structures. The Kano emirate, Bornu empire the Sokoto caliphate had through the years established itself in trade with its neighbors. These ancient cities were centres of trade for cattle, groundnuts, millet and slaves with legal tenders such as salts, tusks, hides, skin, cowries exchanging hands as money. They was connectivity by means of camels, donkeys up to the Nile of ancient Egypt. Herds men continually in search of pastures journeyed through the deserts up to Timbuktu. So it was up on till the late Seventeenth century when the British invasion/incursions started to gain foothold. Great leaders like Queen Amina, Usman Dan Fodio were products of this system and were very effective in their leadership styles and administrative prowess over seeing various conquest at different times. They were predominantly Muslims and traditionalists with tendencies for jihad. SOUTHERN PROTECTORATE-SOUTH WEST In the South it was a little more complex and sophisticated in that there was absence of homogeneity. This is because of the ethnic make up and belief of the indigenous people. The Yoruba kingdoms of Ife and Oyo were established in the early part of (between) 4500 to 5000 AD and had their administrative and trade structures established while the Bini kingdom was also established around the same time and known for their teracuta works of ancient arts which were exported to Europe as very exotic artifacts by explorers. They were both traditionalists with oduduwa as ancestral patriach and olorun as deity. They both had tribal marks which were distinct and showed origin; their trade spanned up to the Upper Volta exchanging wares and slaves for cowries and salt. They were educated in in their taboos, myths and belief systems up to the arrival of the British imperialist in the early Sixteenth century SOUTHERN PROTECTORATE- SOUTH EAST Albeit there is no historical record as to the time of settlement, their origin is Jewish. The Nri kingdom was established as at early Fifteenth century with its power and fame spreading across the area. The Awka kingdom, the Aroh kingdom were all prominent at this point in time. Predominantly traditionalists with deities such as agbala, chukwu, ala and extended trade systems. The Aroh kingdom for instance, were fierce in the slave trade, using mercenaries from Abriba, Ohafia Ezza etc to prosecute military wars on communities they invaded capturing their able bodied men and taking them away for sales up to the Upper Volta. They came to a great deal of wealth and were feared greatly. This people were educated in their taboos, myths and belief systems and they revere yam greatly holding special feasts for the harvest of yam.