Question 14
ComprehensionJAMB 1994 Passage III: Women in pre-colonial politics
Politics in pre-colonial times did not involve the partisan type of electioneering campaign that we now have. The society was ruled by a king or an emir and his traditional chiefs or by the council of elders or clan heads. Where there existed the hierarchical system as in the Yoruba and Hausa kingdoms, succession to throne was mainly patriarchal. A recorded exception was the case of Queen Amina of the Zazzau Empire who ruled in the 15th century A.D.
A host of unsung and unrecorded women regents and at times women village rulers abound, especially in the present Ondo State where some influential traditional female chiefs and regents still exist. In Ibadan, the famous Efunsetan Aniwura held political as well as economic sway and it took a lot of drive, brain work and political engineering for the then king and his council of chiefs to subdue her. The history of the various towns and villages of the period could boast of such women who were actively engaged in the running of government.
In the Igbo society, a rise to leadership position was through demonstrated ability in fostering societal survival rather than heritage. Women's voice in the politics of each clan is given focus either through the guild of wives, the guild of daughters, or the market women's guild. Women, through these organs, could make their feelings known on any issue affecting their community as a whole or females in particular. Thus, unpopular edict or 'decrees' could be revoked or revised as a result of mounted pressure from any of these female associations. No decision was usually taken by the men without prior consultation with the leaders of the women's groups.
It must however be emphasized that the degree of women participation in politics was yet much limited when compared to that of men.
A host of unsung and unrecorded women regents and at times women village rulers abound, especially in the present Ondo State where some influential traditional female chiefs and regents still exist. In Ibadan, the famous Efunsetan Aniwura held political as well as economic sway and it took a lot of drive, brain work and political engineering for the then king and his council of chiefs to subdue her. The history of the various towns and villages of the period could boast of such women who were actively engaged in the running of government.
In the Igbo society, a rise to leadership position was through demonstrated ability in fostering societal survival rather than heritage. Women's voice in the politics of each clan is given focus either through the guild of wives, the guild of daughters, or the market women's guild. Women, through these organs, could make their feelings known on any issue affecting their community as a whole or females in particular. Thus, unpopular edict or 'decrees' could be revoked or revised as a result of mounted pressure from any of these female associations. No decision was usually taken by the men without prior consultation with the leaders of the women's groups.
It must however be emphasized that the degree of women participation in politics was yet much limited when compared to that of men.
Which of the following is implied in the passage?
- A.Women are not politicians
- B.Women should be confined to the home
- C.Women are capable of political leadership
- D.Post-colonial politics should not involve women
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C (Women are capable of political leadership)
Explanation
Examples like Queen Amina, women regents and Efunsetan Aniwura show that women are capable of political leadership.