Onyishi

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Onyishi is a gerontocratic form of government in some parts of Igboland, Nigeria.^[1] It is also a common term or name normally taken as a surname or title by a person or persons whose father is the eldest in a village, or one who is the eldest in the town of Nsukka or its villages. Nkalagu in Ebonyi state, Nigeria also reserves such a title for the eldest man per village.

Onyishi simply means the oldest, head, or leader—be it man or woman. In normal Nsukka settings, once a man or woman becomes the oldest in his or her village, he or she is given the title onyishi. For one to be onyishi in a village, the person must be the eldest in that village. The title onyishi is also used as a surname by the family members but is not permitted if the onyishi is a woman. An example of the title's usage as a surname is Chief Samuel Maduka Onyishi.

The title of onyishi is never campaigned for; it is believed to be a natural occurrence. If one becomes an onyishi, the person in question has to host the entire village and well-wishers after which he will be given the staff of office (aruah). If a woman becomes the eldest in her village, she will be regarded as onyishi umuwunye (the oldest of all our daughters). She summons all the women from the village for meetings if needed and speaks on their behalf. No aruah is given to her because they are only permitted to be given to men.