Question

In Igbo society, the judicial process is overseen by the egwugwu, who are _____.

Answer 1

The Igbo society's judicial process is overseen by the egwugwu, a group of masked ancestral representatives integral to their consensus-based democratic system. These practices predate colonial influences and reflect the Igbo's well-developed democratic values and governance structures.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Igbo society, the judicial process is overseen by the egwugwu, who are masked representatives embodying the ancestral spirits of the village. The egwugwu serve a significant role in the administration of justice, operating under a system of consensus and community participation reflective of the Igbo's democratic practices. In precolonial Igbo villages, there were no formal rulers, and leadership was instead based on group discussion and achieving consensus among members of the community, including a council of elders at the highest level.

The process of adjudication by the egwugwu and the broader communal involvement in decision-making underscore the highly participatory nature of democracy in Igbo society. This system existed long before the arrival of colonial rule and stands as a testament to the sophisticated governance and rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people, which includes a reverence for the counsel and accumulated wisdom of respected individuals and ancestors.

Answer 2

In Igbo society, the judicial process is overseen by the egwugwu, who are RESPECTED JUDGES IN THE SOCIETY.
In the Chinua Achebe's book 'Things fall apart' the egwugwu are described as symbols of the culture and independence of Umofia village. They serves as judges in the community, listening to complains from people and deciding on the right judgements for each case.