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PRE-COLONIAL Nigerian economy: dynamic or fixed?

Introduction

Has been seen by some authors Eurocentric that pre-colonial West African economy has been stagnant subsistence, and had no real state of the market before the British. This argument raises some anthropological perceptions (in terms substantivist) the main sector of this economy is essentially subsistence agriculture, which had been stalled as a result of the application of simple technology and organized unskilled. Production target is said to ensure the existence of man with little or no exchange following OUT1 limited. For this region, companies of view, simple and non-industrial products such as Africa Western colonization before the lack of prerequisites necessary for a market economy and as such economic and theories should not be applied to explain your financial situation structure2.

The study therefore intends to uncover the indigenous pre-colonial economy Nigeria, both in scope and structure and attempts to show that is dynamic and real state market upscale owned since characteristics. The study is divided into three main segments - features general economic framework, the structure of the economy Nigerian pre-colonial and justification of the Nigerian economy as a dynamic economy precolonial market oriented. Economy market is one in which decision making is decentralized, ie, market issues are mainly determined by the market forces, demand and the offer is. This is unlike the command economy in which decision making is decentralized and controlled by an authority 3. In an economic system, there are three basic economic functions, regardless of the nature, type and level of government or economy.4. These are, what and how much to produce, how is it produced and which will be produced. This means that each economic system is in charge of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Every economic system is linked to a political system through which people decide that their wishes society.

A key role of any economic system is coordination. You should see that the decisions of individuals about what they do is coordinated with the company wants and what others are doing. This coordination includes, moral, social and political values, integration economic, ensuring that what a person wants to not exceed what is available in society5. This partly explains why there is no economic system can function successfully outside the sociocultural context of their Aboriginal community.

In this context, would be paid to examine structure and scope of the pre-colonial Nigerian economy. The main spring and the life of any cable company are mostly calls her economic and human potential. Nigeria will not take exception to this universal rule. Kingdoms, states and empires that existed in the pre-colonial Nigeria were large and prosperous, not only for its strong socio-political institutions, but also because of natural resources such as abundant agriculture trade and handicrafts. Careful observation of the terrain and climate of Nigeria reveals the diversity of its natural potential that led to the economic viability and variety of occupations. The structure of the Nigerian economy and colonial essentially rested largely on the nature of the vegetation, the work The home and main components are agriculture, handicrafts, trade, and transportation system.

 

Agriculture

Agriculture is a primary economic activity in Nigeria, which are the livelihood of people and important factor for the emergence of states and empires as is the case everywhere in the world. In the words of Evans - Pritchards' first evolution that has transformed the human economy given human control over their own food supply, people began to plant, cultivate and improve the selection of herbs, roots and trees. "6 This economic development has been described as" revolution Neolithic. As in modern times, the pre-colonial Nigeria, a major factor in choosing the solution was the availability of a climate friendly, free of epidemics, fertile land suitable for cultivation and grazing, pleasant environment for fishing and coastal security, such as absence of war and other natural and supernatural. When these factors are lacking, people resort to migration in search area comfortable life. Given these phenomena, the reasons for planting the crop rotation in agriculture, grazing and roaming of normadism fishing can be understood. In other words, environmental factors play a decisive role in man settlement7.

The form of agriculture performed and the cultures were determined by the nature of soil and terrain of the region. The change in crop rotation and cultivation practices Agricultural characterized the pre-Nigeria, mainly due to the practice of land tenure and lack of knowledge of agriculture highly mechanized. There were problems such as natural erosion, drought, pests and diseases. These problems have been resolved locally, in different communities. For example, to set traps to catch birds and vermin on farms and canals were dug also drain the water to check floods. Anchorage farms during the drought was an ancient agricultural practices among Nigerians. All these practices are not necessarily influenced by conservation as seen by some Western observers but maintaining efficient and proper fertility soils and assessment of the economic situation period8

In pre-colonial Nigeria, farmers relied on instruments such as digging sticks, hoes, machetes and sickles. Based on common crop grown in the regional specialization, including yam, okra, vegetables, maize, cocoyam, cassava, banana, kola nut, banana, and oil palm9. independent growth and age of agriculture Africa and Nigeria in particular, has forcefully demonstrated by some historians of the African economy. Among them was Murdock, an anthropologist who has argued that agriculture began in the Upper Niger to Spanish-speaking peoples 5000BC10 Mende focus its research on yam cultivation in the region. Although undoubtedly of great antiquity of agriculture in Nigeria, we should not Rule even notes the possibility of cultivation of yams and other crops in advance or the full period (5000BC) in other parts of Nigeria. Interestingly, emissions and assumptions the Hamitic theory that tend to say that all developments in Africa are imported have been challenged by the very nature of development Agriculture in Sub-areas.11. While it is undeniable that some cultures have been introduced in other parts of Nigeria is clear that agriculture Nigeria developed naturally and independently, without mechanism12 foreigners. All that was introduced later, which is complementary to the system existing.

 

FISHING, HUNTING AND PASTORAL

 

Fishing

Fishing is an activity the Nigerian economy in the first. Its activities include courses in both inland and coastal water and has great economic value to the pre-colonial Nigerians13. Fish is one of the elements the most important trade between the goods in Nigeria. Different types of fish are either sun dried or smoked to preserve them for long or short market14. Fresh fish is said to be marketed mainly in areas very closely, due to the perishable nature of the problem and the installation of storage. the commercial fishery is characterized by crafts and special abilities, such as boats, canoes, paddle, float, the float and the network construction and the invention of a variety of techniques and equipment of the Indians. Fishing in the pre-colonial Nigeria migration date generates the largest number of its practitioners are expected to leave their homes to improve the prospects elsewhere15. migration rate of fish was very important among Ilaje etc., Izon, Itsekiri, Efik, Jukun, Ijebu, Awori from the pre-colonial times to date, have been most Ilaje Migratory, celebrities and professionals, both fishing and deep inland sea is not only Nigeria but in West and Central Africa16. About Century 16, the fishing is said to be practiced with rudimentary techniques and tools such as materials, raffia, wood and pasture scope17 limited ad. In the late 18 th century to the 19th century, most fishermen in Nigeria had begun to develop fishing gear and improvement techniques, such as clapnets, hawks, ita, egho, Asure, ojijon, Agada, ighee, iyanma, ekobios UFO RIRO, 18 economics fishing, etc in Nigeria has been the stage of development on the eve of the British.

Hunting

Hunting can be considered one of the leading economic activities in pre-colonial Nigeria. It is very important because many people depend for their economic survival in a stage of economic development. However, over time, hunting has become an important complement to agriculture19. Hunting in Nigeria during this period was on several levels. Lower level, including hunting traps for birds, small animals like squirrels, monkeys, lawn mowers, alligators, etc. Another level is the game large animals such as crocodiles, elephants, wild pigs, antelopes, etc. It was and is perhaps yet, a belief in most local authorities in Nigeria hunting, especially at higher levels, and special skills involving the use charms and supernatural possession powers20. Hunting was a reliable skin from meat and animal material, shoe and drum making. In addition to its economic value, is a means by which the trails and facilities have been created before the advent of the European road construction of roads and settlement of the city. Therefore, these roads and villages later became roads, towns and villages. Hunters used as security protecting people against attacks by enemies or wild animals. Also provides animal hunters and their special parts that have medicinal value practitioners21 between indigenous medicine. In addition to the game was harvested. Collection range fruits of the forest was an economic enterprise for some people, especially women in pre-colonial Nigeria. Fruits and spices are important for food and herbal medicine, therefore, demand has been and remains high until the date on the local market in Nigeria places22.

 

 

Pastoralism

It was another economic practices in pre-colonial Nigeria. That animal husbandry, including cattle goats and sheep in commercial quantities from a fertile land to another. Following the outbreak of the region of the forest by the tsetse fly and lack of open spaces in the south, couple with the marshy nature of the plain, the presence of rivers and streams in the coastal region and the presence of open spaces in the north, grazing practiced primarily by the Fulani in the savannah region of northern Nigeria22. Both grazing and hunting are linked to agricultural crops and all direct costs and indirectly affected by animals. However, agriculture joint was not widespread, a kind of symbiosis between farmers and postoralists. For example, manure as livestock manure of land which, in turn supported the growth of crops, while postoralists depended on food crops of the peasants. In addition, livestock was a source of beef for forest dwellers, the workers demanded the skin to produce leather shoes bags, war shield, quiver, arrow, harnesses etc. horses23 Kano in northern Nigeria has become known for evaluations. pastoral activities were a valuable economic development in pre-colonial Nigeria.

 

Crafts

A debate on development craft among pre-colonial Nigeria requires a description of their arts and industries at different levels. The major arts and crafts in which Nigeria including the famous salt mining, production of soap, metal work, wood and weaving activities. This huge development we remember how far technology has advanced indigenous to Nigeria in pre-colonial period. It is evident that iron technology has greatly expanded in pre-colonial Nigeria and craft revolutionized and manufactured in Nigeria and AFRICA24 done.

more salt production was a extraction of minerals, which was not available in areas, but an important product is required locally and imported foreign product merchants25. In pre-colonial Nigeria, the production of salt in large quantities naturally limited to coastal areas due to the availability of raw materials like salt water. The production method was the evaporation of seawater, either by boiling or bath sun. Among the inhabitants of coastal areas in Nigeria, especially Ilaje, Itsekiri and Ijaw, the process of seawater collected in a large pot clay until it dries, leaving the white solid substance. This was collected, with a small basket dirt26 filter. What remained was salt, which could be largely free of impurities. This industrial activity the faster growth of trade between the inhabitants of the coast and in the pre-colonial Nigeria. In the region of the interior too, the salt is said to be produced in such a relatively small amount Jukun especially in the region of the Benue and the eastern Igbo Nigeria27.

Closely related to the company pre-colonial economic was the production of soap. This was achieved mainly by settlers from the forest region of Nigeria. The main raw materials for production of soap was palm oil and ash. These would be boiled together and molded28. In pre-colonial Nigeria, for example, different types soaps are manufactured. In addition to soap for domestic and commercial drugs were also value29. The Ose dudu (black soap) between Yoruba, for example, is still used today for these purposes.

Two important aspects of the craft of pre-colonial Nigeria that deserve attention in this study of metal and wood. A careful study of the history of Nigeria shows that of all the arts, iron work is more important for the development economic and political development in pre-colonial period. The Iron Age was the period when the Nigerians began to dominate and actively control their environment. The discovery of iron led to the manufacture of iron tools such as hoes, knives, swords, spears, axes, and the greatest impact on productivity of crafts, agriculture, fisheries and hunting30. Apart from the economic revolution caused by the melting of iron, is also equipped with most leaders more power and more political will. For example, possession of weapons of iron for growth military influence and the subjugation of weaker communities by ones31 strong. Introduction of iron in Nigeria led to the black forge in the region. The first evidence of iron smelting in West Africa was Nok, a village in central Nigeria, north-east of the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue and Jos Pleateau32 southwest. Igbo Yoruba (particularly those Awka) and UNEM (Benin) have been known in the art cast in pre-colonial era. The UNEM, for example, would have developed before C1370 black iron and iron are said to have played important commercial paper, as it was used as a medium of exchange (currency original) 33.

An important mineral production in the pre-colonial Nigeria was gold. The gold is extracted, is consumed locally and exported. A more economic value than other products, as it was primarily an article earning34 currency. In pre-colonial Benin and Ile Ife, were famous for bronze casting and production facilities of good reputation in the Jos Plateau tin and zinc in the bottom Niger and Benue Rivers35. However, it is important to note that production has been affected by high levels of the art of wood of the cultural symbolic value.

Ife and Benin had been considered the most famous West African states in the use of brass and bronze. Capacity, the quality and beauty, ancient bronzes Benin is said to be consistent with those produced anywhere in the world43. It has been argued by some authors once the two Nigerians cast bronze art Nigerian and use natural to represent human figures and animals were imported by Europeans, either legally or through smuggling. If this were true, to indicate that art Nigeria has already reached a global level admirable and enviable before the arrival of imported technology. The fundamental point of view to be accepted is that while EU imports brass and bronze to Nigeria to complete the production of artistic works of these two alloys Nigeria before the arrival of Portuguese in 15 century44.

Studies have shown that naturalistic figures were found in the Chad region in burial sites so that before the 15th century. In addition, primitive peoples not known to have worked in bronze and brass produced similar figures in other media. The ancient people such as Nok produced replicas of human heads and animals of high artistic merit and value, and the stylized wooden, clay, gold and ivory45.

Trade and transport system is equally relevant to the growth and development of pre-colonial Nigerian economy. The people Nigeria hosted the regional and interregional trade based on regional specialization of production that involves the practice of the principle of benefit cost comparison. They developed the local transport system of land use (head porting) and streams (canoes) and some forms of media of exchange such as barter, Manila, brass, iron, copper and cowrie shells46. Different states empires, kingdoms, or by pre-colonial Nigeria at the point of glory following the organization of trade and transport relatively good. Organization market during this period was largely influenced by the abundant production of farm and nonfarm people. Because of the variety of product offerings in the markets was not the departmentalization of goods, order and the periodic market system in the precolonial Yoruba states in Nigeria society47. However, the transport system have affected the mobility, production and distribution of goods and services, to some extent.

It could be argued that since the production beyond household consumption and there was exchange of inter-regional level based on regional specialization, the pre-colonial Nigerian economy, therefore, beyond subsistence level. He also argues that the organization of trans-Saharan trade and transatlantic in which Nigeria is a member of international assets was outlook48.

It has been discussed by some Western economists that the factors of production have not been well coordinated and there was no division of labor or specialization in the economy of precolonial Nigeria. This seems false and misleading. In society Traditional African men and women are inherently special tasks assigned to different socio-economic context in which each sex are being Obviously (sexual division of labor). Specialization is certainly applicable to many aspects of economic activities in Nigeria. For example, residents coastal zone which specializes in repairing fishing nets took an area of specialization While some people specialize in fisheries (or Oko-Odo Ota-Ade), others have worked on freshwater fishing inside (Eremia). In both areas of fishing, there are still many special departments skills49. There is a saying among the Yoruba village of fishermen in the Niger Delta " Oghomayi emai "(skills and abilities vary from person to person). This shows the degree of specialization and the acquisition skills are recognized in some societies pre-colonial Nigeria.

The work was crucial in the process of production and work free was more economical, therefore, pre-colonial Nigeria of work assigned by their wives, children, slaves and the family. In some cases, labor supply has been with the help of the community. A lasting marriage reasons for the wives of men in Nigeria was to ensure adequate supplies, inexpensive and stable workforce. Adam Smith in his Wealth of Nations states that "a large family of children, Rather than being a burden has been a source of wealth and prosperity for parents' 50. This greatly improves the economic philosophy polygany African practice.

land tenure practices to meet the socioeconomic needs of the time. It is true that the land was plentiful compared to the Nigerian population51. The capital raised through personal savings, loans from friends, family, co-operatives (EGBE or esusu) or family or community chest.

A key factor in the structure of the Nigerian economy precolonial was entrepreneurship. This is an important factor of production in any economy, at any time. Would be paid to study this that the employer is to determine whether the Nigerians quality pre-colonial deserved. Some believe that the entrepreneurial spirit of all innovators, others think of themselves primarily as managers of companies still others place more emphasis on its role in mobilizing and allocation capital52. Hosetitz further argued that the entrepreneur is an entrepreneur, who directs the activities of a company private production that makes crucial decisions on the use of factors of production of their compensation in the nature and style of the products or services to produce, as well as timing and other aspects of production and marketing process53.

In pre-colonial Nigeria, as in other parts of the world other factors of production like capital, land and labor are organized and used effectively for production. It follows that all factors production would not fit, not entrepreneurs. Contractors pre-colonial Nigeria were the masters, chiefs, leaders, warlords, and other influential men and women who had enough wealth and power to mobilize other factors production54. For example, Kano potentates organized production leather working, Ijebu chiefs organized the production of textiles, organized Ilaje production of fish heads, heads Ikal also organized the production of crops farm. Madam Tinubu of Efunsetan Egbaland and Ibadan were also among the notable women who organized the slaves in their farms55. Product distribution also became entrepreneurs in Nigeria through the organization's long-distance market and reduce bilateral and multilateral cooperation within and outside their regions.

Although it may be stated that most financial institutions and principles found in industrial societies have their equivalent in non-industrial societies or as simple as as a pre-colonial Nigeria, it is always important to note that the factors of production and other elements in the structure of the pre-colonial Nigerian economy, like agriculture and handicrafts have their quirks. Therefore, so that the work of economic historian and the economist most useful to your audience, careful selection and application of importance Economic and principles are essential.

Conclusion

Given the general characteristics many components and sub-sectors of the economy pre-colonial Nigeria is convincing evidence that the economy was becoming more progressive and sensitive to innovation before the colonization by Great Britain in the 19th century. The study showed that the Nigerian economy was a pre-colonial Traditional African economy in which production depends heavily on families, and common efforts of groups or trade associations. It should be noted that this system traditional economic, which may be called "communalism" intrinsically the same practice in the various autonomous regions of the expression Geographical later known as Nigeria.

In a scientific analysis with respect to the value-free nature of the investigation, the Stand-positivist point strengthens the assertion that pre-colonial Nigerian economy was dynamic and market oriented. It is the position of this economic philosophy that the fundamental economic problem in any society, regardless of place and time in history, is to provide a set rules to regulate competition and resolve conflicts between individuals unable to meet all your needs, given the constraints of scarcity. It was supported by Roger Leroy example, that the production target over the age of the world remains the same and that human behavior to economic issues are universally similar56.

All these rules says that economic fundamentals are integrated into a framework of formal institutions of society, that the laws and customs. The specific function of each economic system throughout the company would take care of the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services to create utility57. pre-colonial Nigerian economy no exception to these rules and universal principles. This study is in the light these characteristics shows that the pre-colonial Nigerian economy has been dynamic, progressive and market oriented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. A detailed analysis and critical and formalist views substantivist can be found in Zeleza J. modern economic history of Africa Vol. 1 (Senegal: CODESTRIA) 1993 Pp 15 -16.

2. See A. Hopkins G, a Economic History of West Africa: London: Longman, 5 -9.

3. Roger Miller, Leroy, of today's economy, New York: Harper Collins College Publishers, 1996, 122.

4. Roger Leroy, today's economy, p. 122.

5. David C. Colander, Economics: Irwin Burr Ridge Sillinois Massachusetts Boston, Sydney, Australia, 1994, 60-62.

6. Stride T G., C. Ifeka, peoples and empires of West Africa, (Hong Kong: Thomas Nelson, 1971, 158.

7. S. W Wooldridge and W. G East the spirit and purpose of geography: Hutchinson & Co. Publishers London, 1951, 23 -24.

8. See Ogunremi G. Or "The structure of the economy pre-colonial "P 16.

9. Ogunremi, "The structure of the economy pre-colonial" P 16.

10. G. P Murdock, Africa, his people and his History of Culture: London, 1959, p. 64.

11. GO Ogunremi P, 15.

12. GO Ogunremi P, 15.

13. Ehinmore, OM "fishing in the south-western Nigeria in the 19th century: A study of economics Fishing Ilaje" UCA African Studies Review, Lagos the first academic publishers, vol. 1, No. 1, 2002, 56.

14. See G. Stride T, C. Ifeka, People and Empires of Africa West, Hong Kong: Thomas Nelson, 1971, p. 159.

15. Ayodeji Olukoju: "Migration and fishing relations between groups in the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic coast of West Africa) in the ages 19 and 20 "Directions, vol. XXV, European Journal of History P Overseas 70.

16. Olukoju Ayodeji, P 70.

17. Interviews Kalejaye Eniola, a fisherman on 85yrs in Odonla, 20/5/2006.

18. Ehinmore Mr. Omorele "A history of fishing in Ondo State, 1950 - 1997: A case study of Ilaje coastal areas" (PhD M., Lagos University, 1998), 19-24.

19. See Ogunremi GO, "The structure of the economy pre-colonial '20.

20. Interview with Odegbemi Ariyo, Hunter, 92yrs in Erinje, 05/10/2006.

21. Ariyo Odegbemi value given in detail the various types of animals and their special parts in traditional medicine preparation before and after the introduction of orthodox medicine.

22. Interview with Odegbemi Ariyo.

23. GO Ogunremi P, 21.

24. W Andah Bassey, Nigeria indigenous technologies (Ibadan University Press Ibadan, 1992), pp 1-4.

25. See G. T Stride, C. Ifeka, P 159.

26. Interview with edema Mejebi in Warri, 06.16.2006, 94yrs, an old merchant and fishing. This was reinforced by Ajao Ehinmore a historian and a Palace 06/10/2006 old musician, Mahin asked about 82yrs.

27. Afigbo A. E, "Foundations of Economics-colonial Igbo society before" in I. Akinjogbin and S. O Osoba (eds.), Issues of social rights and Economic Histor and Nigeria (Ile-Ife: University of Ife, 1980), p. 15.

28. GT Stride, C. Ifeka, P 159.

29. See interview with Odegbemi Ariyo, 05.10.2006.

30. Dennis Williams: "A history of tropical African Art," in José C. Kid A and Godfrey Brown (ed.), Africa in the XIX and XX centuries, (Ibadan University Press, 1966), Pp 60-65.

31. Nene and Godfrey Brown, P 60.

32. Thurston Shaw, "The Prehistory of West Africa ", in JF Ade Ajayi and Michael Crowder (ed.), History of West Africa, (London: Longman, 1971), p. 69.

33. See Dennis Williams, "An overview of tropical Africa art history" in Africa and the Twentieth century XIX, p. 65.

34. GO Ogunremi, P. 22.

35. Stride G. T, C and Ifeka, P. 161.

36. GT Stride and C. Ifeka P. 101.

37. Richard and Jon Lander, Journal of the issue to explore the course and termination of the Niger (London: 1932), 197.

38. Stride G. T & C Ifeka, P. 159.

39. Report NAI, Ondo Province Intelligence Ilaje by Curwen RJM, File No. O. D 119, 1937, p 35.

40. Interview with Fibilia Majofodun in Erech, 12/6/206, about 80yrs, a fishmonger and weaving mats.

41. Dennis Williams, D 70.

42. See Bassey, W. Andah for a detailed explanation of Construction Technology in Nigeria, Pp 55-70.

43. Stride G. T & C Ifeka, P 160.

44. Stride and Ifeka, P. 160.

45. Stride and Ifeka, P 160.

46. Toyin Falola, "Trade and markets in pre-colonial economy" by G. O Ogunremi and E. Faluyi K (eds), An Economic History of West Africa since 1750, Pp 61-71.

47. Akinjogbin IA, "the economic base Oyo Empire in Akinjogbin I. and S. O Osoba (ed.), Issues on social and economic history of Nigeria, Ife, University of Ife, 1980, p. 35-42.

48. E E. Evans-Pritchard, The Nuer: A description of livelihood and political institutions of the Nilotic peoples, Oxford, 1940, p. 77.

49. See detailed analysis of the different areas of specialization in OM Ehinmore fishing "Fishing Southwest Nigeria in the 19th Century: A Study of Fisheries Economics Ilaje "Pp 58-62.

50. Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of Wealth of Nations: London, 1901, t. 1, p. 29, cited in G. O Ogunremi and E. K Faluyi, An Economic History of West Africa since 1750 P 34.

51. GO Ogunremi, "The traditional factors of production in the economy pre-colonial G. O and K Ogunremi Faluyi E. (Eds), A History Economic western Africa since 1750, P 33.

52. Bert F. Hoselitz, "The Business Development in Africa", in E. Jackson F (ed), Economic Development in Africa, Oxford, 1965, p. 86. Quoted in Economic History of Africa West since 1750.

53. Hoselitz: "The development of entrepreneurs in Africa", p. 87.

54. Ogunremi G. Or, "Factors traditional production "P. 39.

55. GO Ogunremi, P. 40.

56. Roger Leroy Miller, now the economy, P. 122.

57. Roger Leroy Miller, P. 122.

About the Author

O. M EHINMORE

O. M Ehinmore is a Lecturer I in the Department of History and International Studies,

Adekunle Ajasin University,

Akungba-Akoko, P.M.B 001, Nigeria ,

West Africa

E-mail: ehinmore@yahoo.com

Olds Cutlass

The spark plug wires on my 1989 olds cutlass ciera are sparking. Is this a huge problem?

My car just started sounding horrible within the past 3 days and runs terribly. It is extremely loud, and smells strongly like gas, it also seems like its hesitating to go. I realized one of the spark plug wires are sparking in a few places. I plan to get this fixed in the next couple days when i have money, but for now, is it safe to drive the car, or is there a good chance it will stall out?

It's known as arcing wires. The wires are broke down, and needs replacing ASAP.

Truthfully if it's that bad (strong fuel smell, louder than norm, hesitating, etc) then I wouldnt drive it very much at all untill the wires are replaced..

You could do more damage to engine by driving it.. Foul out spark plugs, fuel wash the rings, etc

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme