African diaspora and Development: The impact of Igbo diaspora associational groups on Igbo and American societies

Abstract

The Igbo ethnic group is among the most dispersed in Africa and one of the nationalities in the Sub-Sahara that has penchant and pedigree for migration. The Igbo believe in social mobility. In a limited land space and in diminishing land resources, they have cause to struggle for a living outside their environment. Their passionate drive for entrepreneurship and adventurism makes them amenable to 'Diaspora' life. The paper argues that in spite of Igbo man's adaptability to new environment, he is always conscious of his ancestral roots which find expression in the formation of cultural associations outside their homeland. The association essentially serve as a connect between the home front and the Diaspora. The paper identifies many but mainly two Igbo associations in the United States that have in the past one decade been instrumental in the propagation of Igbo cultural heritage in the United States. These two associations are, the World Igbo Congress (WIC) and the 'Ekwe Nche' Organisation. The paper tends to explore the background to the formation of these associations, their composition, structure, objectives and roles in the development of Igbo and American Societies.