Ahebi Ugbabe

King Ahebi Ugbabe (died 1948) was king (eze) and warrant chief of Enugu-Ezike, Nigeria. She was the only female king in colonial Nigeria.[1]

King Ahebi Ugbabe
Eze of Enugu-Ezike
Ezeship mid 1920s - 1939
Igala Coronation mid 1920s
Warrant Chief of Enugu-Ezike
Chiefdom 1918 - mid 1920s
Born Late 19th-century
Enugu-Ezike
Died 1948
Enugu-Ezike
Father Ugbabe Ayibi
Mother Anekwu Amehin

Early life

Ahebi Ugbabe was born to Ugbabe Ayibi and Anekwu Ameh in Umuida, Enugu-Ezike. She had two brothers and no sisters.[2] She lived with her mother's family in Unadu for a brief period before returning to Umuida. After her return, she did not stay long before running away.[3]

Exile

She later had to escape to Igalaland. Ahebi was running from an order for her to be married to a female deity as punishment for her father's crime. This punishment was known as igo mma ogo (to become the inlaw of a deity).[4] During her forced exile, Ahebi became a prostitute and used this form of work to her advantage. Along her travels, Ahebi learned to speak numerous languages, such as "Igala, Nupe, and Pidgin English. Her sex work and linguistic skills gave her access to the Attah-Igala (king) and the British divisional officer, who not only facilitated her return to Enugu-Ezike, but supported her claim to the office of headman, warrant chief, and, later, eze."

Ahebi's Rule

Ahebi's reign began a few months after she returned to Igboland from exile.[5] She replaced "the aged (and increasingly incompetent)"[6] headman Ugwu Okegwu. British District Officer W. H. Lloyd said Ahebi was "a lady of influence and power. She is intelligent and of a quiet disposition. When she does speak, it is usually to the point and sensible."[6]

Although Ahebi commanded the respect of her people, she sewed seeds of resentment by conscripting forced labor and imposing a census and a British tax. The Igbo people "did not believe that human beings should ever be counted.[7] This census caused the Woman's War in southern Igboland.

At first, "Ahebi easily quelled whatever resistance to her kingship existed" because of her British backing.[8] She, however, overreached in her ambition and violated a social more by attending a spiritual masquerade ritual with her own mask.[6] This ritual was only for biological men. The male elders and Ahebi went to court to settle the case and the British sided with the male elders, undermining Ahebi's rule.[9]

Ahbei Ugbabe cultivated an aura of mysticism to solidify an image of all powerful rule.[10]

Death

Before Ahebi died, she performed her own burial rites. She "did not trust that her society would accord her a befitting burial."[11] She intended to perform the rites "in such a magnificent manner that her society would never forget that an incredible being such as herself had lived."[11] Her living funeral included gunfire, animal sacrifice, and glorious music of remembrance.

Ahebi died in 1948.[10] Although she was a woman, she was buried according to the local customs for burying men.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Achebe, Nwando (2010). The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. p. 2. ISBN 0253222486.
  2. ↑ Achebe, Nwando (2010). The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. pp. 38–39. ISBN 0253222486.
  3. ↑ Lindsay, Lisa A. (2003-06-20). Miescher, Stephan, ed. Men and Masculinities in Modern Africa. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. ISBN 9780325002545.
  4. ↑ Jell-Bahlsen, Sabine (2012). "Review of The Female King of Colonial Nigeria, Ahebi Ugbabe". The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 45 (2): 305–310. JSTOR 24392949.
  5. ↑ Achebe, Nwando (2011). The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe. Indiana University Press. pp. 99–100. ISBN 0253222486.
  6. 1 2 3 Achebe, Nwando (2011). The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe. Indiana University Press. p. 172. ISBN 0253222486.
  7. ↑ Achebe, Nwando (2011). The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe. Indiana University Press. p. 122. ISBN 0253222486.
  8. ↑ Achebe, Nwando (2011). The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe. Indiana University Press. p. 133. ISBN 0253222486.
  9. ↑ Achebe, Nwando (2011). The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe. Indiana University Press. p. 183. ISBN 0253222486.
  10. 1 2 Achebe, Nwando (2011). The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253222486.
  11. 1 2 Achebe, Nwando (2011). The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe. Indiana University Press. p. 187. ISBN 0253222486.
  12. ↑ Achebe, Nwando (2010). The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. p. 189. ISBN 0253222486.
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