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Alternative Name

The Igbo are also known as Ibo.

Location

In contemporary Nigeria, five states (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo) are almost entirely Igbo speaking, and these, along with smaller parts of several neighboring states, constitute the geographic area colloquially known as Igboland. Located in southeastern Nigeria, Igboland is characterized by a tropical climate, with regular rainfall between the months of May and October and mostly dry weather between November and April. Igboland was once covered with thick forest (especially in the southern areas), but high population densities have resulted in extensive deforestation and increasing soil erosion. With one of the highest population densities in sub-Saharan Africa, Igboland is most striking in the degree to which human activities have extended to and had significant effects in all parts of the region. Gradually, the distinction between village and small town is dissolving.

Cultural Overview

Igbo-speaking people are the...

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© 2003 Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers

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Smith, D.J. (2003). Igbo. In: Ember, C.R., Ember, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-29907-6_51

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-29907-6_51

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-47770-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-29907-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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