To understand the most important characteristics of a society, one must study its major cities.

The characteristics of a society can be seen through the lives of its people in relation to the political, socio-economic and cultural values. For example, a society that is considered as a commercial nerve will have markets in its cities. In my opinion, the important cities in a society are those cities that contribute to the values of the society, whether the city is rural or urban.

The socio-economic values of a society helps us to understand the major trades of the society and how these trades are distributed within the cities, and as well. For example, the Kano dynasty in Nigeria is known for agriculture and their major produce is groundnut. When you travel along the cities through Kaduna, Kano, Kazaure, Dutse, Kastina, etc. you will see dams, farmlands and groundnut pyramids. These signs will tell you that the city is well known for its agricultural produce.

An educated society will be seen by the proportion of its population that is educated. When the various cities are studied, one will come to understand the level of education in the society and how this population is distributed among the cities.

Also, to understand the cultural values of a society you need to study the individual cities, and the interrelationship. For example while Ogwa and Oguta communities are under Owerri zone, they have different cultural values. While Oguta people are known for the water spirit they worship, they perform their marriage rites at night, Ogwa people are predominantly Christians and their marriage rights are performed during the day. It is also more expensive to marry a woman from Ogwa when compared to the cost of marrying one from Oguta.
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