In recent
times, a lot has been written about the non-Igbo tribes of Anambra State. These works mostly focus on the
Igala-speaking people found on an island on the River Niger in Anambra West
local government area of the state.
times, a lot has been written about the non-Igbo tribes of Anambra State. These works mostly focus on the
Igala-speaking people found on an island on the River Niger in Anambra West
local government area of the state.
Aside the
Igala-speaking people of Anambra State, there are also the Igbo-speaking
Anambrarians who constitute an upward of ninety five percent of the state’s
indigenous population. These Igbo Anambrarians are sub-grouped into different
sub-tribes with distinct history, distinct way of life, and speak distinct
dialects of the Igbo language.
Igala-speaking people of Anambra State, there are also the Igbo-speaking
Anambrarians who constitute an upward of ninety five percent of the state’s
indigenous population. These Igbo Anambrarians are sub-grouped into different
sub-tribes with distinct history, distinct way of life, and speak distinct
dialects of the Igbo language.
Below we
take a look at the different Igbo-speaking and non-Igbo-speaking tribes of
Anambra State: their histories, their location and every other thing you ought
to know about the people groups of Anambra State.
take a look at the different Igbo-speaking and non-Igbo-speaking tribes of
Anambra State: their histories, their location and every other thing you ought
to know about the people groups of Anambra State.
1. Umueri
The Umueri
are direct descendants of Eri, the purported progenitor of the entire Igbo
race.
are direct descendants of Eri, the purported progenitor of the entire Igbo
race.
In the Nri
mythology, Eri descended from the sky, sent by Chukwu (God) to make peace and
provide the locals with yam and cocoyam.
mythology, Eri descended from the sky, sent by Chukwu (God) to make peace and
provide the locals with yam and cocoyam.
Some
historians speculate that Eri may have migrated to the Anambra area from Igala
dynasty of central Nigeria. Others however argue that Onoja Oboli, the founder
of the Igala dynasty was actually another son of Eri.
historians speculate that Eri may have migrated to the Anambra area from Igala
dynasty of central Nigeria. Others however argue that Onoja Oboli, the founder
of the Igala dynasty was actually another son of Eri.
The Nri
Igbo are the largest people group in Anambra State, and are found in local
government areas across the three zones of the State, and also in neighbouring
states.
Igbo are the largest people group in Anambra State, and are found in local
government areas across the three zones of the State, and also in neighbouring
states.
2. Onitsha
The Onitsha
Igbo constitute a hefty percentage of the indigenous population of the city of
Onitsha, the biggest city in Anambra State.
Igbo constitute a hefty percentage of the indigenous population of the city of
Onitsha, the biggest city in Anambra State.
The Onitsha
Igbo are found in nine villages otherwise known as Ebo Itenani. These are
descendants of Ezechima, the progenitor of the Onitsha Igbo.
Igbo are found in nine villages otherwise known as Ebo Itenani. These are
descendants of Ezechima, the progenitor of the Onitsha Igbo.
The Onitsha
people were among the first Igbos to embrace western education, producing
notable people which include Nnamdi Azikiwe , the first president of a post
independent Nigeria.
people were among the first Igbos to embrace western education, producing
notable people which include Nnamdi Azikiwe , the first president of a post
independent Nigeria.
The Obi of
Onitsha is the paramount ruler of the Onitsha Igbo.
Onitsha is the paramount ruler of the Onitsha Igbo.
3. Olumbanasa
The
Olumbanasa are an Igala-speaking group found in a small island on the Niger
River in Anambra West local government area of Anambra State.
Olumbanasa are an Igala-speaking group found in a small island on the Niger
River in Anambra West local government area of Anambra State.
Olumbanasa
villages include Igbedor, Inoma, Odekpe, Owelle, Ukwala, Onugwa, Ode, Ala and
Igbokenyi.
villages include Igbedor, Inoma, Odekpe, Owelle, Ukwala, Onugwa, Ode, Ala and
Igbokenyi.
Some
historians argue that the Olumbanasa people are descendants of General Ajida, a
notable warrior of Idah origin who invaded the town. And for this, the
Olumbanasa are not aboriginal to the land they presently occupy.
historians argue that the Olumbanasa people are descendants of General Ajida, a
notable warrior of Idah origin who invaded the town. And for this, the
Olumbanasa are not aboriginal to the land they presently occupy.
4. Ifiteana
The
Ifiteana people, also known as the Awka Igbo are an Igbo sub-group found in
Awka South local government area of Anambra State.
Ifiteana people, also known as the Awka Igbo are an Igbo sub-group found in
Awka South local government area of Anambra State.
The
Ifiteana people claim to have sprouted from the earth, and thus the name
‘Ifiteana’ which roughly translates as ‘people who sprouted from the earth.
Ifiteana people claim to have sprouted from the earth, and thus the name
‘Ifiteana’ which roughly translates as ‘people who sprouted from the earth.
The deity
of the Ifiteana people was known as Okika-na-ube, or the god that’s pre-eminent
with the spear, and the Ifiteana people were known as umu-oka-na-ube, or the
children of oka-na-ube. This name was eventually shortened to Umu Oka, and
eventually Oka, and then its anglicized version, Awka which the people and
their land now go by.
of the Ifiteana people was known as Okika-na-ube, or the god that’s pre-eminent
with the spear, and the Ifiteana people were known as umu-oka-na-ube, or the
children of oka-na-ube. This name was eventually shortened to Umu Oka, and
eventually Oka, and then its anglicized version, Awka which the people and
their land now go by.
The
Ifiteana people are most famous for their metal works, a profession they established
prominence in the era preceding colonial times.
Ifiteana people are most famous for their metal works, a profession they established
prominence in the era preceding colonial times.
The
Ifiteana people are found in 33 villages which are divided into seven groups that
include Nkwelle, Ayom-na-okpala,
Amachalla, Ifite Oka, Amikwo, Ezi Oka and Agulu.
Ifiteana people are found in 33 villages which are divided into seven groups that
include Nkwelle, Ayom-na-okpala,
Amachalla, Ifite Oka, Amikwo, Ezi Oka and Agulu.