Women's+Associations

Women in Igbo society were perceived to possess superior well-being, thus they controlled certain aspects in community life and headed many of the the traditional cults and shirnes (ex. Oracle is served by a pristess in Things Fall Apart).

Igbo women had their own clubs, age-group associations and title associations; these associations upheld gender balance and equliaty. their political and social activities were very useful, though men occasionally felt they were contentious.

Women's Associations acted as checks and balances in the social and political organization of Igbo communities.

Examples of Women's Associations: * //every married woman belonged to both associations and exercised influence in the politics of both their home towns and the towns of their marriage//
 * Otu Omu (the Omu society) - one of the most important women's associations headed by a female functionary; members very powerful - put pressure on political matters, impose fines on men and women who disturbed the peace of the marketplace, punish quarrelsome women (those who break certain taboos such as prohibiting incest and adultery; leaders of the Omu society attended the meetings of the councils of chiefs and elders and participated in discussions affecting the welfare of citizens;
 * Otu Umu Ada - an association of women born to a lineage or town
 * Otu Inyeme Di - an association of women married to the men of a lineage or town