Interrogating the Status of 'Umunna' in Igbo Philosophy, Thought and World-view: Implications for Socio-Political Order in Contemporary Society

The Umunna is a socio-cultural group that has played a central role in Igbo society and culture in Igbo history and development It has received limited recognition due to the unpopularity of the term Umunna in a wider philosophical discourse. This neglect is problem that this research seeks to solve because Umunna represents a distinctively African form of “communitarianism”, which can enrich our understanding of social and political thought beyond the dominant Western perspectives. More so, the neglect of Umunna risks erasing important aspects of Igbo culture and identity, particularly in the face of globalization and modernization. Therefore, in addressing this problem, a philosophical investigation into the place of Umunna in Igbo culture can provide new insights into African communitarianism, promote intercultural dialogue and understanding, and support efforts to preserve and celebrate the richness and diversity of Igbo culture. This research combines phenomenological and textual analysis as the method Tthese will enable us draw out the live experiences of umunna as well as consult from secondary sources