Trade and Commerce along the Niger: The Igala and the Development of Egga (River Bank) Trade/ Commerce in Southwestern Bank of the River Niger

Abstract

Trade and  Commerce remains  an important aspect of   human civilization. Over centuries it has led to the free flow and exchange of goods, technology, cultural exchange and idea. In some other cases, the emergence of human society  has been associated with activities associated with trade and Commerce. This is because in the cause and course of exchange, people associate free with one another, during which ideas and values are transferred and absorbed.  This is the role the trade  at the bank of the river Niger played in the history of the  settlements which presently occupy and traded along the along bank specially among Edo, Igala and Igbo  people and their neigbhours from time immemorial in the Nigerian territory. This paper using historical methodology  attempt to examine the contribution of the river Niger in the development of  trade at the bank of the Niger and how this has led to the spread and development of societies and Civilization in the area(with specific reference to the Kwa linguistic  group/ people and their  neigbhours.

Keywords: Trade, Commerce, Egga, River Niger