THE CHANGING NATURE OF ORSU AND ORLU INTRA-GROUP RELATIONS UP TO 2015

The study of the place of women in the socio-political and economic life of the society from the early period to the present has aroused a wide range of interests amongst scholars and writers in recent times. Women’s study received a boost after independence especially with the declaration of the United Nations Decade for women, 1976-85. Attention was not only drawn to the need to grant greater freedom and more privileges, to womenfolk throughout the world, but also the need to study the role of women in society, their problems, and the best way to enable them to participate effectively in their own self-actualization as well as their societies and the world at large.1 It is imperative to note that even till date, Africa is not left out in the marginalization, subjugation and underrepresentation of women in politics, they have also undermined the roles women have played over time in the economic and socio development of the continent. This is despite the fact that, African women had a prestigious and recognized place in the traditional society which made it possible for the gifted ones among them to rise to positions of political, social and economic eminence.²Among them were: Queen Nefertiti of Egypt, Queen Amina of Zaria, Queen Sheba of Ethiopia, Queen Moremi of Ife, Queens Idia, Iden and Emotan of Benin, Omu of Onitsha, Omu of Ossomari among others.