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Migration and Identity Formation: Ecology, Migration Patterns, and the Igbo of West Africa

Chima J. Korieh, Rowan University

Migration is a potentially powerful conceptual framework for analyzing the formation of ethnic identity in Africa. This paper addresses what I call the "question of Igbo identity," with a view to presenting a synthesis and a framework for understanding Igbo identity as influenced by Igbo migration pattern from the late 19th century. The emergence or reinforcement of Igbo identity at least from the beginning of the 20th century seem to have occurred in the context of increasing migration and competition between the Igbo and other ethnic groups as colonialism opened opportunities for commerce and work in within and outside Nigeria. The forces that determined Igbo migration seem to have been related to ecological factors. The contextual space that a particular group of people inhabit and ecological niches in relations to others inform the exhibition or suppression of ethnic consciousness. The distinction between rural and urban based Igbo migrants in Cameroon, for example, or what Kleis calls "confrontational and incorporation ethnicity" suggests that ethnic identity, as reflected in the Igbo case emerged in response to competition with other groups. I argue that once outside their homeland, a greater sense of cohesion, cooperation, and identification, at least based on a common language and experience emerged in response to particular ecological and contextual factors.

 

Abstract

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Africa Conference 2006: Movements, Migrations and Displacements in Africa
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