Inter-group relationship among Igbo per colonial Nigeria as regard to geographical, economical, ecological cultural and political are illustrated as follows:
The Igbo occupy the east and west of the lower Niger predominantly, the Igbos are found in Abia, Anambra Ebonyi , Enugu and Imo states. The can also be found in parts of delta, cross river and rivers states.
Government in pre-colonial igbo land was an attempt at direct democracy. It involved participation of all, male adults in the affairs of the society/ village. Leadership was provided by all these who distinguished themselves in their chosen areas of endeavors. By so doing the system can be said to be achievement oriented. The Igbo are classified among states or accephalous societies in that there was diffusion of powers among different persons or groups. The basic political / social unit is Igbo land was “umunna” which comprised a group of families that traces their descent to a common ancestor.
The eldest direct descendant was the “okpara” who was in charged of the family as such, the intermediary between the living and the dead. He also carried out functions that boarder on inter-family relations, was the religious leader just as he performed judicial and economic roles.
The second political unit was the council of elders that normally comprised the okparas from different families. It was the repso9nsiblity of the councils of elders to settle disputes between and among lineages in practice, the okparas who were heads of their respective families and who in turn comprised the council of elders
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