 Before British colonial rule , the Igbo were a politically fragmented group . There were variations in culture such as in art styles , attire and religious practices . Various subgroups were organized by clan , lineage , village affiliation , and dialect . There were not many centralized chiefdoms , hereditary aristocracy , or kingship customs except in kingdoms such as those of the Nri , Arochukwu , Agbor and Onitsha . This political system changed significantly under British colonialism in the early 20th century ; Frederick Lugard introduced Eze ( kings ) into most local communities as " Warrant Chiefs " . The Igbo became overwhelmingly Christian under colonization . Chinua Achebe 's Things Fall Apart is one of the most popular novels to depict Igbo culture and changes under colonialism . 
