Sitting on a man

This custom, also known as "making war on a man," was practiced against men and women alike, serving as a means of resistance and preserving social and political equilibrium during pre-colonial times.

These forums served as a platform for women to organize and express themselves, sometimes resorting to strikes and boycotts, which eventually evolved into the practice of "sitting on a man.

"[2] The practice of sitting on a man was a collective response to various transgressions, including mistreatment of wives, destruction of crops, market violations, or marital disputes.

Dressed in ferns and loincloths, with painted faces and palm frond-adorned sticks, women demonstrated unity and reinforced their societal influence.

However, the colonial period brought changes, as missionaries sought to reshape Igbo society, emphasizing Christian values and suppressing Pagan rituals like Mikiri.

The ban on Mikiri and altered societal norms relegated women to subservient roles, affecting trade practices and the ability to address abuses.