Abstract
At present, there is no reasonably full account of the economic history of Mbaise in Imo State, Nigeria. The reason for this is obvious. Among others, enough attention has not been given to economic and social developments of mini-polities that dot Igbo land, east of the Niger. Existing historical studies in the area though valuable, are politically biased as early scholars on African past concentrated on documenting political developments in 'mega states'. This has inevitably left a yawning gap in our knowledge of economic developments especially in the agricultural economy sub-sector. No doubt, this present study has helped to narrow the gap and consequently revise the trend whereby political history gained importance, which for quite a long time, remained the focus of historical studies and scholarship. It is against this backdrop that the article examined the impact of colonial rule on the Mbaise agricultural economy and argues that alien influences did not do much to transform the traditional economy, but rather concentrated on improving cash crops that aided the metropolitan economy and wellbeing. Key words: Mbaise, agriculture, historical, colonial economy, development, political and Africa.
Highlights
Theorists throughout human history believe in the inevitability of change
As far as farm techniques are concerned, nothing much changed in Mbaise within the period of study just like in many areas in Igbo land
The people still engaged in subsistence agriculture as the hoe and matchet, which constituted the basic farm implements and the household, an important unit of farm labour remained the major elements in the production process in the period of our study
Summary
Existing historical studies in the area though valuable, are politically biased as early scholars on African past concentrated on documenting political developments in 'mega states' This has inevitably left a yawning gap in our knowledge of economic developments especially in the agricultural economy sub-sector. No doubt, this present study has helped to narrow the gap and revise the trend whereby political history gained importance, which for quite a long time, remained the focus of historical studies and scholarship.
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