Hahn-Waanders’ ‘Eze Institution in Igboland’ explores traditional rule change in Igbo political systems
By Mudiare Onobrakpeya
IN Eze Institution in Igboland, Dutch scholar Hanny Hahn-Waanders offers a richly detailed and deeply researched study of political institutions and kingship traditions in Igboland, Nigeria. Drawing from extensive fieldwork and a keen ethnographic eye, this book provides both the academic and general reader with a nuanced portrait of how Igbo social systems—particularly political institutions—have evolved over time in response to internal dynamics and external influences.
Hahn-Waanders’ academic journey, which began with a strong interest in African studies in the late 1960s, led her to Nigeria during and after the civil war, where she observed and documented the complex variations in Igbo society. Her work is marked by a rare blend of empathy, intellectual rigor, and cultural sensitivity, making this book a valuable contribution to African studies and political anthropology.
The book challenges the longstanding colonial narrative that painted Igbo society as stateless and segmentary. By contrasting pre-colonial traditional systems with emerging modern kingships and councils of elders, Hahn-Waanders illuminates the internal logic and diversity of Igbo political institutions. She invites readers to understand Igbo cultures not as a monolith but as a tapestry of communities with differing structures, customs, and adaptations.
Especially compelling is the example from Nkpologwu in Anambra State, where a community that had historically never had a king elects and installs an eze under modern Nigerian law. This moment is emblematic of the broader theme of the book—how traditional institutions adapt and remain relevant in the face of socio-political change.
Importantly, the author does not view this transformation as a loss of authenticity. Instead, she frames it as a testament to the resilience and dynamism of Igbo political culture. The rise of modern ezeship, rooted in both tradition and contemporary realities, demonstrates how indigenous systems of governance continue to serve as functional and legitimate mechanisms within Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
With a cover design by the acclaimed Nigerian artist Uche Okeke, the book visually and intellectually honours the culture it explores. Its ISBN is 978-2442-24-0 for those seeking to obtain a copy.
In sum, Eze Institution in Igboland is not only an academic text but also a cultural document—an essential resource for anyone interested in African governance systems, postcolonial studies, or the lived realities of the Igbo people. It is both a mirror and a window: a mirror reflecting the deep heritage of Igbo society, and a window into how that heritage continues to evolve.
