SUMMARY
The research has examined the economic activities of Okpe-olomu in pre-colonial times. It looks at the tradition of the Olomu people, its social, political, economic systems and religious beliefs. It traces the trajectory of Olomu economic systems in the pre-colonial period. The research also explores the impact of Okpe-olomu women in the economy of the people and the society at large. The study has revealed that the pre-colonial economic activities at the Okpe-olomu people included agriculture, farming, handicraft, pottery, basket making, trading (long distance and domestic trade) which were practiced by their ancestors in the pre-colonial period. The research has shown that the Okpe-olomu economy in pre-colonial period rested squarely on Agriculture, Trade and Traditional handicrafts. Farming remained the bedrock of the economic activities of the people and they cultivated various crops such as cassava, rubber, palm kernel, yams, melon, com, pepper, tomatoes and so on mainly for home consumption and the surplus for trade. Animal husbandry was another economic activity that was of great importance to the people. The study has revealed that the people reared domestic animals and kept poultry primarily for eggs and meat production to ensure steady supply of protein in their diets. Apart from farming and other agricultural activities, the Olomu handicraft industry was one major 56 aspect of the economy of the people. Some of the finished products of the wood carves were wooden doors, windows, chairs, tables, mortars, pestles and so on. The study has shown that other economic activities of the people also included pottery as it helped in the growth of their economy and social cultural life. Basket making was a major economic activity of the people as it helped in reducing stress of carrying and preserving perishable goods such as tomatoes. Trade featured prominently in the economic history of Okpeolomu as the people participated in internal and external trade which contributed immensely to the growth of the economy. They trade with their neighbouring clans such as Ophori-olomu, Avwor-olomu, Agbarho-olomu and others. The people had trade relations with communities in far distance like Benin, Ijaw, Itsekiri. Trading contacts contributed in fostering good economic contacts and fostering inter group relations with people of other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. In addition, trading activities by women made them to be self-reliant and they supported their husbands for the running of their respective households. Their social status was enhanced as they became one of the stakeholders who had contributed to the economic growth of Okpe-olomu and the Olomu kingdom at large. The impact of economic activities on the people and the society at large was immense. The people made a lot of profit from the various economic activities they engaged in making out a living. These economic ventures the people engaged in made them to be self-employed and financially independent there by enhancing their economic and social status in the society. 57 Despite the impressive growth of the Okpe-olomu society and the indelible role played by the women in the economic transformation of the society, it is pertinent to note that they were faced with some challenges. These challenges include poor transportation system and lack of a good road network which made it difficult for farmers and local practitioners to convey their products from the farms and site of production to the market.
