OVERCOMING THE PROBLEMS OF SHORTFALL IN SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE PRODUCE IN THE 19TH CENTURY COMMERCE IN THE BIGHT OF BIAFRA HINTER LAND

Abstract

The abolition of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and the subsequent introduction of commerce on produce had profound impact on the economic structure of the communities in the hinterland of the Bight of Biafra. The need to invent and adopt new economic structures and patterns to suit the nascent commerce was imperative. First, there was not just the need to switch over to production-based economy, but also to ensure regular and abundant supply of the products. Again, there was the need to convey the products to the ‘beaches’ for an onward bulk evacuation to the major river banks from whence they were ferried to the coastal ports. Certainly, these activities required large labour. And in a society where wage labour was yet non-existent, these posed a lot of challenges. This paper explores how marriages and marriage ties and alliances were employed to overcome the problems and challenges of the produce economy.