Amaigbo
| Amaigbo | |
|---|---|
| town | |
  Amaigbo Location in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 5°43′N 7°45′E / 5.717°N 7.750°ECoordinates: 5°43′N 7°45′E / 5.717°N 7.750°E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Imo state |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) |
Amaigbo is a large town in Imo State, Nigeria. It is the headquarters of Nwangele Local Government Area. Amaigbo is regarded by many historians as the cradle of Igbo civilization. There exists the speculation of settlement from antiquity among the Orlu and Isu group. Within this zone, Amaigbo stands out with complex sophistication that ushers valid insight into Igbo settlements of old as well as the evolution of the cultural, linguistic, behavioral and psychological patterns that give the Igbo a distinct outlook. Some historians noted that with population explosion, people from this region spread rapidly and founded other parts of Igboland. The axis in question constitutes the upper half of the "Southern Igbo" involving the Isu, Orsu, Orlu and Ihiala group.
There have been postulations of different origins of the Igbo; however, serious studies based on testable facts clarify that the Igbo have lived in their country for tens of millennia. The archeological finds at Ugwuele Okigwe make an insightful proof of human activities in the theatre of Igbo civilization more than two hundred and fifty thousand years ago. Evidence of man-made tools like axe, pottery and carved stones dug up at the present day Enugu and Ebonyi states establish the credibility of the habitation of Igbo for a very long time. In other words, traditions of Igbo origin favor Igbo genesis in Igboland.
According to Professor Oriji as well as Forde and Jones, the Isu group of the Igbo nation would appear to be the largest in population and seem to occupy a contiguous stretch of land from the center of Igboland expanding to all directions. This implies that the initial Igbo cultural and structural ideas likely evolved from the Isu. Their spread has helped to harmonize the features of the Igbo Cultural Area. In the Orlu section of Isu that claim autochthony for instance, a primogenitor was recollected of the name Igbo Ngidi, who was spiritually and scientifically advanced. He founded Ama Igbo [The abode of the Igbo].
From Ama Igbo in Orlu, he instituted various blacksmithing centers, agricultural practices, commerce and religious oracles. He further established his ideas at a place he called Igbo Ukwu[Igbo the Great] in praise of his success. It was from these places of initial causes (Ama Igbo and Igbo Ukwu) that the Igbo multiplied and occupied the present-day Igboland. It is recollected that Igbo people called themselves Umu Igbo Ngidi [Children of Igbo Ngidi], which was shortened to Umu Igbo. Today, Igbo means the people, the language and the land. Etymologically, the word "Igbo" connotes "human community".
Notable people
Dick Tiger - late boxer, The great King Jaja of Opobo - Sold into slavery in pre-colonial Nigeria, Chief Dr. Walter Ofonagoro of Umuobi - former Minister of Information and Culture (Federal Republic of Nigeria) and former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Chief Sir Abel Anozie Anyiam - of eluowerri ubahu Amaigbo -former Chairman of Nkwerre/Isu LGA - Traditional prime minister of Amaigbo, Prince Chukwuemeka Collins Onuoha - son of the late EZE Collins Onuoha Eze Ndigbo in Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Declan Uzoma DIG RTD ( the first ever Deputy Inspector General of Police from Imo State and the second ever from the South East), Pa Reuben Ugochukwu Ofonagoro-Rtd Comptroller of Customs (the first ever Comptroller of the Nigerian Customs from Amaigbo) Prince Augustine Ofonagoro of Umuobi (Managing Director of Stanwal Securities LTD Lagos) It is Headed by HRH Eze Nelson Nwosu the Igbo of Amaigbo, Mr. William Nwihim (founder and Fmr. Chairman Amaigbo Community Bank now Merit Microfinance Bank, Chuma Mmeka - of alaenyi-ofeahia Amaigbo - actor, poet, writer, humanitarian and child protection expert, Mr Ben Ihegboro of the famous "black parents with white child, Nmachi Samara Ihegboro". The town has an official post office.[1]
The Role of Okwa in the history of Amaigbo:
---An extract from: A BRIEF TALK ON AMAIGBO OSO-OKWA – Etymological perspective .
To the members of Amaigbo Scholars Club on 31st December 1994. By Sir, A.A. Anyiam
It is in this etymological perspective that I shall attempt to hazard a nibble at the phrase “Amaigbo Oso Okwa” the distinctive qualification of our Amaigbo in Orlu Zone from all other Amaigbo`s in Igbo land such as Amaigbo Nguru in Ngor Okpala in Owerri Zone, and Amaigbo in Isikwuato formally in Okigwe Zone etc.
Before delving into the Okwa which we regard and have accepted and valued as our mascot and symbol of identity, I have to observe that a people`s acceptance or adoption of any creature such as birds, other animals as mascots or symbols of identity or religion is anchored on religious or quasi religious belief of such a people. Considering the roles such special creatures played, in some cases the people so affected have been tempted to adopt the names of such creatures as their ancestral father`s names and even community names such as Umuele, Umuagu, Alaenyi, Umueke etc. Pigeons are even let out on armed forces remembrance day as sign of peace. Such beliefs are rendered more credible and real by the way the Bible has presented the activities of some animals especially the birds as of divine origin or as divinely inspired or directed. The Okwa is one of the birds and there are over three hundred references made to birds in the Bible without specifically named for various functions and services . Only the Dove and Raven were specifically mentioned in the Bible, whereas the Eagle was metaphorically mentioned in the book of Exodus where it says that God carried the Israelites out of Egypt on the wings of the eagle.
The question now is why is the Bush Fowl or the Okwa so revered in Amaigbo by Amaigbo People as Amaigbo Oso Okwa? The Okwa is among the commonest birds found over here. It belongs to the same family as our domestic fowl hence it is called the Bush Fowl. The hen takes good care of its brood and will even in the heaviest of rain, will defy the down pour in search of food for its brood. It can even sacrifice its life to protect the young ones. So is the Okwa. The Okwa also served as source of food or meat to the people in the past. It is also a time keeper and it is still in use for our daily rural time table for daily activities. For example early morning risers for their business have very much depended on the Okwa to wake them up. This is not all.
In the ancient times, our Amaigbo people were very much embroiled in warfare against both local and distant/foreign enemies. In those days, people stole a watch on their foes or enemies often by ambush tactics. It was widely known then that Amaigbo warriors excelled in this art and it was by it that they won most if not all their victories in all their encounters. Their chief strategist and tactician was the Okwa.
The role of the Okwa happened on all war fronts. For example on Ubahu front through Mbara Ukwu Ubahu, the Okwa performed creditably as they did at Umuchoke front through Mbara Nwakwu. It was the same at Amaju front towards Amauzari – Amaju axis. It so happened that each time our troops crossed over into their vantage positions in an ambush to track their enemies, the Okwa at once as if Divinely inspired and instructed land on the very foot path used by our troops in their advance, and would scratch the path and destroy or obliterate their footprints. As a result the enemy troops in their advance confidently would assume that no one had ever trod on those paths used by our men. They marched in full force unsuspectingly in the full hope of attacking our men taking them unawares in their locations. But contrary to their expectations, our people each time would spring attacks from the near, surrounding the enemy troops, closing in on them and decimated them to the last man. The Okwa performed this feat every time our men went to war against any people or when attacked by invading armies. Our men`s frequent successes in wars were attributed to these strange activities of the Okwa. As many times as our town was invaded by what was then known as “Agha” through Mbara Ubahu our men made a mincemeat of them through miraculous Divine aid offered and effected by Okwa. Even when we had regular encounters with Abba people, the Okwa performed its usual role. When our people had very fierce clashes with the forces who invaded from and through Nkwerre – Umuchoke axis, the Okwa was also there and performed its wonders in favour of our troops. This tactics led many successful ambushes laid for the enemy, and consequently we scored many victories and made many captives of the enemy troops. This same phenomenon happened at Amaju – Amauzari axis. Resultantly our forebears succeeded in capturing and retaining the huge land mass we have today as Amaigbo. Our population was spared because they were never displaced rather women and children maintained their stay at home undisturbed. As a result our people were never taken as war captives by any outside powers nor were they sold into slavery by conquerors. Our domestic economy remained intact resulting in local prosperity of the town. This political climate gave Amaigbo sons the aura of conquerors and with this image our men could travel freely far and wide wielding influence everywhere they went as string men of the era. Even aliens in our midst then exploited this stance to become slave dealers.
The fame of Amaigbo from her war victories earned it very high regard from outside. Amaigbo this was regarded as one of the biggest fortifications and war arsenal in Igbo land. As a result during the pacification of the Southern Protectorate by the Royal Niger Company Constabulary, the white men directed his attention to Amaigbo. Incidentally Amaigbo became a Centre for the collection and destruction of weapons – firearms by the white man i.e. the Royal Niger Constabulary. “Bekee Gbajiri Egbe na Amaigbo” was an old slogan. While other nations were driven into either exile or captivity by invaders, Amaigbo people stood their grounds in their native soil. Rather people migrated into Amaigbo from other places for security because they were sure of their safety. This may account for Amaigbo being made up of many components. Therefore we have the right of place to claim the ancestral home of the Igbos.
In all, the stability due to the Military prowess and successes scored by our men in those ancient times were all credited to Okwa. For those wonderful and unusual protective role of the Okwa as a mother, this role was valued as very cardinal in the existence of this town. It was given special place in our history. As a lasting tribute and honour to the Okwa, our forefathers decided that reverence should be accorded the Okwa as a sacred animal. To complement this decision as a general observation, it was resolved that people should be forbidden from killing and eating Okwa. Hecne it became a taboo for anyone to kill or eat it, thus Amaigbo Oso Okwa.
Edited by Dr Johnbosco I. Nkpadobi B.Sc. (Calabar); M.Sc. (Malaya); PhD (Malaya)
References
- ↑ "Post Offices- with map of LGA". NIPOST. Archived from the original on 7 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
Additional information by Concept Sly.
State capital: Owerri | ||
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