History of AROCHUKWU Kingdom, Abia State, Nigeria

Arochukwu is a small town located at the Southern end of Abia State in Nigeria.

The Aros, as other Igbos, migrated from the Middle East to their
present location in then Eastern Nigeria. You cannot mention
Christopher Columbus who discovered America, without a short history
of the Indians who owned the land. Also, in retrospect, the Aros came
and won the land from the inhabitants, the Ibibios, after series of
wars. These wars had a historic impact on the town. For instance, the
leader of the Ibibio warriors who fought the war was captured and
slain at Oro Village and this is why Oro became the chieftancy
village. Amikpe Obinkita became the center where these defeated
warriors were judged. This also is why all Aro villages assemble at
Obinkita during the Ikeji festival. Any village that is not
represented was fined by the entire Aro.

Arochukwu, sometimes referred to as Arochuku, or Aro-Okigbo,
(pronounced Aruchukwu) is the third largest city in Abia State (after
Aba and Umuahia) in southeastern Nigeria and homeland of the
Igbosubgroup, Aro people. It is composed of 19 villages with an
overall leader called Eze Aro. Arochukwu is a principal historic town
in Igboland. It was also one of the cities in the Southern
protectorate conquered by the British colonial government. Several
historic tourist sites exist in the city. The mystic Ibini Ukpabi
shrine, the slave routes and other relics of the slave trade era are
frequently visited by tourists. It is also in the food belt of Abia
state where most of the staple foods are produced.

The Arochukwu town has 19 villages namely: (Not alphabetically ordered.)
UGWUAKUMA, AGBAGWU, UTUGHUGWU, AMANMAGWU, UJARI, AMASU, IBOM. (These
villages are what is known as IMEARO). ORO, OBINKITA, AMOBA, AMANKWU,
UGBO, AMUKWA, ATANI, ISINKPU, UGWUAFOR, AMANGWU, ASAGA, AND AMUVI.
(These villages sums up the AMUZE.)

Each of these villages are characterized by their respective cultural
displays. For instance, Obinkita village (Landlord of all Aro) is
known by their masquerades called Ekpo. Atani villages are identified
by their Ugboali for example madam Mary Kanu.

Arochukwu town is divided into three classes: OKENNACHI,EZEAGWU, AND
IBOM ISI. These villages are then merged into these classes due to
their migration from one village to another. This inter-village
migration not only populated Arochukwu but brought internal
progression that helped split the villages into these classes as seen
below. Note also that EzeAgwu is split into two Umumna Okpara Agwu and
Okpara Ezo Agwu.



OKENNACHI

* UTUHUGWU
* OBINKITA
* ISINKPU
* ATANI
* AMANGWU
* UGWUAFOR
* PART OF ORO

EZE AGWU

* PART OF ORO
* ASAGA
* AMOBA
* UGBO
* AMANAGWU (OKPARA EZEAGWU)
* UGWUAKUMA
* AGBAGWU & AMANKWU

IBOM ISI

* AMUKWA
* IBOM
* UJARI
* AMASU
* AMUVI

The population of Aro is approximately 60,000 and every Aro indigene
is a proud person due to the fact that we are the cultural chief in
all Iboland. Our culture is being examplarily practised in all Iboland
and this is how the "Aro-Okigbo" came about. The slave era found most
Aro people migrating to all parts of Nigeria spreading the religion of
Aro heritage. This heritage, became adopted by the host in all the
cities and towns in Iboland where an Aro man lives.

The branch out of Aros to other Iboland, for example, ARO
OKPOROENYI,ARO NDIZUOGU,ARO IKWERE, ARO YORUBA,ARO NGWA,ARO IZOMBE,ARO
CAMEROUN,ARO AJALLI,ARO ORU,ARO NKWESI,etc., did not only personalized
the Aros but had an ARO-MATIC effects to the entire Iboland. These
Aros that migrated still have a bonding link with the villages they
had left behind.

The new Yam Festival is a period where all Aro cultures are
displayed. The activities of these events are very fascinating and
interesting to watch. All villages prepare for this wonderful occasion
that starts and ends in September of every year. Any village/s that is
not represented as I mentioned earlier on, will be fined. The place of
this meeting is called "Amikpe Obinkita." The American Beauty Pageant
has judges who decide the winner of the Pageant. So also, during this
festival 19 Judges are appointed by the Eze of Aro including the Eze
Aro who will select the best village presentation on the Ekekpe day
which is the outstanding day of the festival. These judges will then
assemble at Obinkita recording and checkmarking events. At the
conclusion of Ekekpe day, the Eze then announces the No. One village
in the entire town. Also other identifiable villages that host some of
these events as per another market day includes: "AKUMANNAOBI" who is
from Ugwuakuma village. The UGWUAKUMA village host the "MGBAPE AWADA"
which signifies the begiining of the New Yam festival (IKEJI) for all
Aros. As the events are heated up, every village must homage to the
Eze Aro by going to Oro village with their heritage. The Eze Aro in
return, will bless them and the village they represents.




THE IKEJI FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES MUST BE WITHIN THESE MARKET DAYS:

NKWO …..…………………………. NKWOEKPE

EKE ………........……………………. EKEODU/EKEKPE

ORIE ……….......…………………… ORIE GBUGBU

AFOR …………....…………………. AFOROSU



The "EKPE SOCIETY" is predominantly becoming a domineering factor in
Aro whereby if you are not a member, you tend to feel isolated. I
vividly remembered my age mates who will proudly come to me and asked
"I BAKWARA EKPE?" or are you "IKPOO?". It is the man's thing. Besides
the Ekpe society, we also have the "OBON" that plays all night.



Arochukwu is believed to have been the homeland of the Ibibio as they
arrived in 300 AD from the Benue valley and founded early states like
Obong Okon Ita and Ibom. Many years passed as Igbo immigrants came
along and pressed into the Ibibio occupied territory and founded
several states. The first Igbo group were the Ezeagwu group led by
their leader Agwu Inobia. As Aro-Ibibio wars occurred, there was a
stalemate. In reaction, the Eze Agwu clan invited a priest named
Nnachi from the Edda clan of northeastern Igboland and another group
from the east of the Cross River through Nnachi. These people were
identified as the Akpapeople. Akpa forces led by Osim and Akuma Nnubi,
they helped the Igbo forces capture the rest of the area. This formed
the alliance of 19 new and old states in the area known as the
Arochukwu kingdom around 1650-1700. The first king (or Eze Aro) of a
unified Arochukwu was Akuma but after his death, Nnachi son's Oke
Nnachi took over and his descendants have the throne to this day.

By the mid-18th century, there were mass migrations of several Aro
business families into the Igbo hinterland and adjacent areas. This
migration, influence of their god Ibini Ukpabi through priests, and
their military power backed up by alliances with several related
neighboring Igbo and eastern Cross River militarized states
(particularly Ohafia, Abam, Abiriba, Afikpo, Ekoi, etc.) quickly
established the Aro Confederacy as a regional economic power. However,
Aro economic hegemony was threatened by the penetration of Europeans,
mainlyBritish colonists in the wake of the 20th century. Tensions
finally led to bloodshed and the Anglo-Aro War took place from
1901-1902. The Aro Confederacy stoutly resisted but were eventually
defeated. This helped the British to occupy the rest of what is now
known as Eastern Nigeria.



The city of Onitsha was founded by Igbo group from Arochukwu under the
leadership of Eze Chima. People of Arochukwu founded many other
communities both within and outside Igboland.



Arochukwu is one of the only cities in Igboland named after God.
Though named after God, it was named this before the advent of
Christianity in Igboland, stemming from the belief in one supreme
being. Aro translates as Spear and Chukwu as God. Put together this
could imply Spear of God.

Ibibio Presence

Before Igbo arrival in the Aro territory, a Semi-Bantu group of the
Ibibio arrived around 300 AD from the Benue Valley. They mainly
inhabited the area now known as Southeastern Nigeria.. Prominent
settlements were Ibom and Obong Okon Ita. These hunters and farmers
perhaps lived peacefully until foreign settlers invaded.

Igbo Migration and Invasion


The Igbo migration led by Eze Agwu clan among the Ibibio in the Aro
territory started around the 17nth century. These were merchants, land
hungry people, and laboreres from the Igbo heartland. Tensions
escalated between the Eze Agwu group led by Agwu Inobia and Obong Okon
Ita kingdom led by Akpan Okon resulting in the Aro-Ibibio Wars.
Neither group had a victorious position in the war. Eze Agwu asked
Priest Nnachi of the Edda clan near Afikpo for help. The alliance also
supported prince Kakpokpo Okon's coup against his brother Akpan Okon.
The war escalated and Nnachi called on Eastern Cross River allies for
assistance.

Akpa invasion and the foundation of Arochukwu


Osim and Akuma Nnubi were Akpa merchant princes from the Akamkpa area.
They led Akpa forces into the Aro territory to assist their Igbo
allies to victory. However, this came at the cost of Osim losing his
life at the start of the 18th century. With the Akpas and Igbos being
victorious, the Arochukwu kingdom was founded with Akuma as its first
king or EzeAro. After Akuma died, the Igbo took over the throne
starting with Nnachi's son Oke Nnachi in 1720. Many changes occurred
as Arochukwu expanded into 19 city-states due to the increasing
population and Aro colonies were forming throughout the area now known
as Southern Nigeria.

Aro Confederacy


By the mid-18th century, there were mass migrations of several Aro
business families into the Igbo hinterland and adjacent areas. This
migration, influence of their god Ibini Ukpabi through priests, and
their military power supported by alliances with several related
neighboring Igbo and eastern Cross River militarized states
(particularly Ohafia, Abam, Abiriba, Afikpo, Ekoi etc.) quickly
established the Aro Confederacy as a regional economic power.

Aro activities helped coastal Niger Deltacity-states become important
centers for the export of palm oil and slaves. Such city-states
included Opobo,Bonny, Brass, Calabar as well as other slave trading
city-states controlled by the Ijaw, Efik and Igbo. The Aros formed a
strong trading network, colonies, and incorporated hundreds of
communities that formed into powerful kingdoms. The Ajalili,
Arondizuogu, and Bende Kingdoms were the most powerful Aro states in
the Confederacy after Arochukwu. Some were founded and named after
Commanders and Chiefs like Izuogu Mgboko and Iheme whom led Aro forces
to conquer Ikpa Ora and founded Arondizuogu. Later Aro commanders such
as Okoro Idozuka also of Arondizuogu expanded the state's borders
through warfare in the start of the 19th century. The Aro
Confederacy's power, however, was mostly derived from its economic and
religious position. With European colonists on their way at the end of
the 19th century, things changed.

British Conquest


British Colonialism in the late 19th century turned Anglo-Aro
relations sour. Aro leaders knew that Christianity, colonialism, and
end of their monopoly would destroy Aro economic rule. Also the
British felt that repeated Aro attacks rendered outright war
inescapable. They made plans for war in 1899. The conflict had both
religious and economic causes. Aro traders and the Royal Niger
Company, had their own issues. An Aro invasion of Obegu in 1901
started the Anglo-Aro War. In 1902, following a direct attack on
Arochukwu and months of fighting, the British were victorious. The Aro
Confederacy's power was shattered, making it easier for the British to
take over the Eastern Nigerian region although resistance in the area
was far from over. Although Aro dominance crumbled in March 1902, many
Aros took part in later resistances against the British in in the
region such as Afikpo (1902–1903), Ezza (1905), and other areas where
the Aro had a particularly significant presence.

Nigeria

When Nigeria won independence from Great Britain in 1960, ethnic
tensions rose between the regions resulting in the Nigerian Civil War
in 1967-1970. After the war, the Aros and the rest of the Igbo People
suffered discrimination from other Nigerians. Many Igbo moved out of
Nigeria. Aro culture suffered. However, they are currently efforts to
unite Aro people and revive their culture.

encyclopedia.logbaby.com
Article Credit:

Socializer Widget By Talk Of Tourism

SOCIALIZE IT →

Tweet

→

SHARE IT →