The Process of Frontier Settlement: The Case of Nikeland (Nigeria)

Abstract

The rural-directed migrations of Ibo farmers which are mainly associated with short-term tenancies are examined in this article on the basis of field work conducted in Nikeland, one of the destinations of the northern Ibo migrant farmers. The factors which stimulate migration are discussed by examining and analyzing the relative representation of various source communities in Nikeland. Shortage of land, suggested by past records of famines and exchange of men for food, as well as by extreme land subdivision, is shown to be the main motive for the mobility, but the possibility that the mobility is the result of a reluctance to intensify agricultural practices as long as opportunities for migration are available, is not excluded.

The movement of the main groups of migrants who farmed in Nikeland is discussed for the purpose of revealing the processes of settling the new frontier. It was found that many of the settlers arrived in Nikeland after spending some time in other farming areas. A sizeable number of farmers had also moved from one zone to another within Nikeland. These movements are partly attributable to the fact that older settlement zones have reached their absorptive capacity level, which, under conditions of Nikeland, is estimated to be associated with a population of 400–500 per square mile. At this density level the farm population of a given settlement zone tends to stabilize, and inward mobility is cancelled by increasing outward mobility. (The concept of absorptive capacity, however, should not be confused with the absolute carrying capacity level.)