Igbo and Niger Delta: Partners in Trade and Tradition History JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 9

History Lesson Plan: Relationship Between People from Different Centers of Civilization in Pre-Colonial Nigeria – Igbo and Niger Delta City-States

1. Subject: History
2. Class: JSS 2
3. Term: First Term
4. Week: 9
5. Age: 12-13 years
6. Topic: Relationship Between People from Different Centers of Civilization – Igbo and Niger Delta City-States
7. Sub-Topic: Political, Cultural, and Economic Connections
8. Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain the political connections between the Igbo and Niger Delta city-states.
2. Identify cultural similarities and exchanges between the two regions.
3. Describe the economic relationships, especially trade activities, between the Igbo and Niger Delta peoples.

Keywords: Igbo, Niger Delta, trade, politics, culture, civilization

Set Induction

The teacher will ask, “How do people from different regions benefit from interacting with each other?” to stimulate students’ thoughts and introduce the topic.

Entry Behavior

Students are familiar with the Igbo political and social systems and the importance of trade in the Niger Delta.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Map showing the locations of the Igbo region and Niger Delta city-states.
• Pictures of traded goods, such as palm oil and ivory.

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students have previously learned about the Igbo socio-political structure and the trading activities in the Niger Delta city-states. This lesson explores how these two regions interacted.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Communication skills
• Map reading and analysis

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for History
• History for Junior Secondary Schools

Instructional Materials

• Charts displaying trade routes and key goods exchanged.
• Images representing cultural symbols from both regions.

Content

Political Connections Between the Igbo and Niger Delta City-States

• Both regions were decentralized, with authority resting in the hands of elders and councils.
• Political connections were informal but necessary, especially when handling disputes or coordinating trade.
• Cross-regional alliances were sometimes formed to protect trade routes.

Cultural Exchanges Between the Igbo and Niger Delta Peoples

1. Marriage and Festivals: There were intermarriages between the two groups, fostering strong cultural ties.
2. Language and Customs: Some communities along the boundary areas shared languages and customs.
3. Religious Practices: Both regions practiced ancestor worship and had elaborate festivals celebrating fertility and harvests.

Economic Relationships Between the Igbo and Niger Delta City-States

• The Niger Delta city-states, such as Bonny and Nembe, served as trade hubs for the export of palm oil, ivory, and fish.
• The Igbo provided agricultural goods, including yams and crafts, to the Niger Delta.
• Slave trade was also a significant economic activity, with both regions participating in the transatlantic trade.

Evaluation

1. The Niger Delta city-states were known for exporting ______.
   a) Gold b) Palm oil c) Cotton d) Iron
   Answer: b) Palm oil
2. The Igbo region was located in ______ Nigeria.
   a) Northern b) Eastern c) Western d) Southern
   Answer: b) Eastern
3. The Niger Delta city-states were important ______ centers.
   a) Agricultural b) Trade c) Military d) Religious
   Answer: b) Trade
4. Both regions practiced ______ worship.
   a) Ancestor b) Animal c) Sun d) Spirit
   Answer: a) Ancestor
5. A major good traded by the Igbo was ______.
   a) Yams b) Gold c) Cocoa d) Cotton
   Answer: a) Yams
6. Trade between the Igbo and Niger Delta relied on ______ routes.
   a) Air b) River c) Mountain d) Rail
   Answer: b) River
7. Intermarriages between the Igbo and Niger Delta helped strengthen ______ ties.
   a) Cultural b) Military c) Political d) Legal
   Answer: a) Cultural
8. The Niger Delta city-states participated in the ______ trade.
   a) Transatlantic b) Trans-Saharan c) Trans-Pacific d) Indian Ocean
   Answer: a) Transatlantic
9. The Igbo contributed ______ to trade with the Niger Delta.
   a) Fish b) Crafts c) Gold d) Spices
   Answer: b) Crafts
10. Both the Igbo and Niger Delta peoples celebrated ______ festivals.
    a) Harvest b) Hunting c) War d) Rain
    Answer: a) Harvest

Class Activity Discussion

1. What was the political structure of both regions?
   Both regions had decentralized systems led by councils and elders.
2. What did the Niger Delta trade?
   Palm oil, fish, and ivory.
3. What was a major Igbo agricultural product?
   Yams.
4. What type of worship was common in both regions?
   Ancestor worship.
5. How did the two regions connect economically?
   Through trade, especially using rivers for transport.
6. What role did the transatlantic trade play in the Niger Delta economy?
   It involved the export of slaves and goods to European traders.
7. How did intermarriages help the relationship?
   They strengthened cultural and family ties.
8. What were some shared customs between the two regions?
   Language similarities and harvest festivals.
9. Why were the Niger Delta city-states important in trade?
   They served as export hubs for goods like palm oil.
10. What festivals were celebrated by both groups?
    Harvest festivals.

Presentation Steps

1. Step 1: Review the political and economic structures of both regions.
2. Step 2: Explain the interactions between the Igbo and Niger Delta city-states, focusing on politics, culture, and trade.
3. Step 3: Encourage students to discuss the significance of their relationships.

Teacher’s Activities

• Display a map showing the Igbo and Niger Delta regions.
• Discuss the goods exchanged and the cultural practices shared.
• Guide students in identifying trade routes and their importance.

Learners’ Activities

• Locate the two regions on the map.
• Participate in discussions on trade and cultural exchanges.
• Answer questions about the relationship between the two regions.

Assessment

• Explain the political relationship between the Igbo and Niger Delta city-states.
• Describe the economic exchanges between the two regions.
• List two cultural similarities between the Igbo and Niger Delta.

10 Evaluation Questions

1. What were the key goods traded by the Niger Delta?
2. How did intermarriages affect the relationship between the two regions?
3. What type of worship was common in both regions?
4. What agricultural product was important to the Igbo economy?
5. Why were rivers important for trade between the two regions?
6. What role did the transatlantic trade play in the Niger Delta economy?
7. Name one shared festival between the two regions.
8. What were the political structures of both regions like?
9. Why were the Niger Delta city-states important to European traders?
10. How did the Igbo and Niger Delta people benefit from cultural exchanges?

Conclusion

The teacher will summarize the lesson by highlighting the political, cultural, and economic interactions between the Igbo and Niger Delta city-states. Students’ responses will be marked, and feedback will be provided.

More Useful Links

• History Revision and Review Test Questions: JSS 2 First Term History JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 11
• First Term Examination Questions History JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 12
• History Mid-Term Assessment: JSS 2 First Term History JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 7