THE IMPLICATIONS OF RAPID DEVELOPMENT ON IGBO SENSE OF COMMUNALISM

THE IMPLICATIONS OF RAPID DEVELOPMENT ON IGBO SENSE OF COMMUNALISM

ABSTRACT

Communalism is the practice of people living together sharing things and responsibilities in common. It entrenched the norm of mutual assistance among the members of the society and brought about cordial harmonious living devoid of self. This leads to bearing one another’s burden in every aspects of life. In Igbo society, it was a cherished heritage. But with the advent of Euro-Christian development in Igbo land, communalism was very much influenced. This research work is poised to investigate how rapid development has influenced Igbo communal values. This is done using both descriptive and analytical methods. Through oral interview, it was discovered that rapid development has eroded the practice of communalism in Igbo land; making this aspect of the Igbo culture to be on the pathway to extinction. Recommendations however are made as to what should be done by the individual members and the society at large to salvage this aspect of Igbo cultural heritage from going into oblivion.