Eighteen months ago, Egba Women assumed political powers out of proportion to their status and created great confusion and panic in in Abeokuta.[1]
Eighteen months as regarded above has been traced to the period from 1947, this period was known to encompass series of protests and petition writing towards the need for women’s inclusiveness in politics and also the issue of taxation in Abeokuta.
The Egbas are part of the Yoruba people, located in the city of Abeokuta. The Egba was said to have relocated to Abeokuta in 1830 after their homestead in the Egba forest (Igbo Egba) was destroyed. [2] Upon British colonialism, indirect rule was introduced, with it came different practices and policies.
During colonialism, taxation was a major feature, and over time there was an amplified taxation policy. This led to more displeasure in society and Nigeria at large. In Egba, this displeasure sparked a resistance movement by the Egba women who were taxed under the auspices of the Abeokuta Women Union (AWU). Petitions, letters, and demonstrations were used as the means to protest against government policies.[3] The Petitions, and protest were ignored and documents that were written to the Alake of Abeokuta in 1946-1947 regarding the demands of AWU was not yielded to. [4] These demands included the need for women to be included in the Abeokuta sole Native Authority, the request for an end to flat-rate tax paid by women, and the need for the Alake to stop his abuse of power. The petition and protest were ignored and thus, had no effect on the Alake. Their demand was not attended to, thus, nothing was done instead there was an increment in the flat-rate tax on women.
The Women sent petitions to colonial authorities regarding the need for a tax on women to be repealed and also disclosing the corruption of the Alake. The outcome was the same as nothing was done, this led to the beginning of the mass demonstration of protests from mid-October 1946. Later on, this led to a peaceful protest and court case which was lost by AWU. [5] Due to the negligence of the Alake and British authority towards the demands and grievances made by women, there was a Tax revolt which was also known as Egba women protest or Abeokuta Women Riot of 1947-1948.
The women tax revolt occurred in 1947-1948, with Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti as the leader combined modern and traditional methods of protest.[6] The Abeokuta Women anti Taxation demonstration was an occurrence that changed women position of women in Abeokuta. It was recorded that about ten thousand to fifty thousand women waged a demonstration against the exploitative policies. They used native form of protest like singing, petitions, court actions to mention a few, first mass demonstration was November 29-30 1947, second demonstration was from December 8-10. Protest, demonstrations, letter and petiton writing continued [7]
The reaction of the society to the happenings in Egba/ Abeokuta 1950 as seen in the newspaper was that of suspicion, fear, and growing resentment against the attitude of women by youths and men. Some youth believed that Abeokuta was going the wrong way because of the increasing activities of women. There was also the suspicion that the women meant to seize power and be in control. Similarly, The Egba Central council was determined not to be frightened by women thus, rebuffed the women’s demands and threats.[8] It is important to note that some men supported the activities of the Egba Women in their petition writing and protest examples were Fumilayo Ransome Kutis husband and some other male supporters [9]
Despite the societal reaction towards the Egba women during this period, the activities of the women continued which led to several achievements of Women in Egba from 1947 to 1950. These achievements cannot be overlooked despite the resentment it attracted from some male folks. The women were known to attain a certain level of political power as four women were given a position in the Native Administration Egba Interim council namely Funmilayo Ransosme Kuti, Mrs. Soleye to mention but a few. The Alake namely Alake Ademola II was forced to relinquish his throne thus was dethroned in 1949, he was later reinstated by the AG government. The flat-rate taxes that were imposed on women were abolished. These taxes included water rate taxes, flat-rate tax etc .[10]
In Conclusion, the period 1947-1950 housed an important event in the history of Egba Women as women assumed political power that people perceived to be out of proportion to their status. They successfully planned and executed protests, demonstrations, wrote petitions, and fought for their right. The protests were recognized as one of the longest sustained protests by women.[11] it is important to note that the planning and executing of protests, demonstrations, riots, petition writing, and usage of the court have been methods by which Nigerians have used to fight for their right, this is visible.
REFERENCES.
Byfield J. 2003. Taxation Women and Colonial State: Egba Women Tax Revolt. Meridians. Feminism race and Transformation 3.2.
Erinosho T.O 2015. British Imperalism and the Loss of Egba Political Independence , 1900-1914 in Yoruba History and Historians : A Festschrift for Professor Gabriel Olorundare Oguntomisin Olaoba O. B, Ajayi S.A and Edo V.O,eds, Ibadna. John Archer Publishers Limited
Nigerian Tribune. 1950. Women May Seize Power: Growing Resentment Against Attitude of Egba Women. Feb 10 1950.
Oladejo M.T. 2018. The Women went Radical: Petition writing and Colonial State in South Western Nigeria , 1900-1953. Ibadan. Book Builders..
Onajin A. and Ofoego O. 2014. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti and the Women Union of Abeokuta. In UNESCO series on Women in African History. UNESCO
Cheryl-Johnson Odim and Nina Emma Mba. 1997. For Women and The Nation: Funmilayo Ransome Kuti of Nigeria. Chicago. University of Illinois Press.
[1] Nigerian Tribune. 1950. Women May Seize Power: Growing Resentment Against Attitude of Egba Women. Feb 10 1950.
[2] Erinosho T.O 2015. British Imperalism and the Loss of Egba Political Independence , 1900-1914 in Yoruba History and Historians : A Festchrift for Professor Gabriel Olorundare Oguntomisin.. \Olaoba O. B, Ajayi S.A anad Edo V.O,eds, Ibadan. John Archer Publishers Limited P82
[3] Oladejo M.T. 2018. The Women went Radical: Petition writing and Colonial State in South Western Nigeria 1900-1953. P139
[4] Oladejo M.T. 2018. The Women went Radical: Petition writing and Colonial State in South Western Nigeria 1900-1953 … p140
[5] Cheryl-Johnson Odim and Nina Emma Mba. 1997. For Women and The Nation: Funmilayo Ransome Kuti of Nigeria.Chicago. University of Illonis Press. pp78-80
[6] Byfield J. 2003. Taxation Women and Colonial State: Egba Women Tax Revolt. Meridians. Feminism race and Transformation 3.2. p250
[7] Cheryl-Johnson Odim and Nina Emma Mba. 1997. For Women and The Nation: Funmilayo Ransome Kuti of Nigeria… pp81-87
[8] Nigerian Tribune. 1950. Women May Seize Power: Growing Resentment Against Attitude of Egba Women. Feb 10 1950. P 10.
[9] Cheryl-Johnson Odim and Nina Emma Mba. 1997. For Women and The Nation: Funmilayo Ransome Kuti of Nigeria, pp77-79
[10]Cheryl-Johnson Odim and Nina Emma Mba. 1997. For Women and The Nation: Funmilayo Ransome Kuti of Nigeria pp. 88-90
[11] Byfield J. 2003. Taxation Women and Colonial State: Egba Women Tax Revolt. Meridians. Feminism race and Transformation 3.2. p250
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