The Pre-Colonial Mode of Production and Labour Organsation among the Berom of the Jos Plateau in Northern Nigeria

The paper analyzed the pre-colonial economy of the Berom of the Jos Plateau in Northern Nigeria. The study established that the economy was not static but dynamic and complex in which the various sectors were integrated into a stable, viable and self sustained economy that was able to generate surpluses that met the socio-political and economic needs of the society. The Berom economy exhibited gender division of labour that was complementary but not competitive which ensured greater integration of women in agricultural production. However cultural beliefs and practices especially related to land ownership and labour were discriminatory and disadvantageous to Berom women.