ABSTRACT
PRIDE IS ONE OF THE outstanding traits of the Ibos ; indeed, in some cases, there are obvious signs of a superiority complex. This is expressed by men in their striving for
The titles vary greatly in different parts of the country. The controlling factors are: birthright and money, particularly the latter, for titles must be paid for; they are not free gifts bestowed as honours for service rendered to the community. Occasionally, there has been a tendency to foster the principle that no man should hold office in the body politic unless he were of the rank of" QZQ". This policy is very largely, if not entirely, due to the attitude of the native adherents of the system who clamour for a titled man to represent their interests in the local clan courts and in transactions with Government. Further, the statement must be qualified, because "QzQ" is confined to a very circumscribed area; it really only applies to Onitsha, Awka and a few adjacent towns. Generally speaking, under native law and custom, the government of a village was entrusted to companies or societies such as" Otu-Iwofu ", "Ochokwu", " Akpali " and" Otu-Ofolo ". Each company acted in turn, always in co-operation with the " Maw", a secret society maintained in every town, having for its basis association with the spirit world. Without the service of the "Maw", practically nothing could be done. The influence, and very existence, of the "QzQ" title has
been sustained chiefly by the official support given to it, Invoked by the appeals of the village folk.
