Eze

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/eze

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the linguistic root of igwe?Derived from 'Igwekala,' signifying a higher, celestial authority
2. What is the eze's role in governance?Often functioned as primus inter pares, advised by a council of chiefs
3. What does the Igbo word 'Eze' mean?Eze means king in Igbo. It shows a leader who is the heart of the community. The word also shows the king’s special role in the people’s lives.
4. What is an 'Igwe' and how is it different from an Eze?Igwe comes from Igwekala, meaning the sky above the sky. It gives the king a spiritual and higher status. An Igwe is another title that shows the king’s divine or celestial connection.

Primus Inter Pares: Latin for 'first among equals,' a leader who holds a prominent position but shares power.
Patrilineal Society: A social system where descent, inheritance, and titles are passed down through the male line.
Decentralization: The process of redistributing or dispersing functions or power away from a central authority.