The Origins Of And Preservations Of
The Names Of The Anioma Communities

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by Emeka Esogbue

The Anioma are a group comprising of towns and communities in the true sense of what we have of the Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Itsekiri, Urhobo and any other group in Nigeria with a pan socio-cultural organization called Izuanioma although other several smaller groups such as Oganihuanioma, onuanioma etc also exists. In the political front there is now what is known as Anioma Political Forum (APF) now established to serve as a political rallying point for the people.

Although, the Igbo language is intelligible to the entire people of Anioma, not all Anioma are Igbo just as not Igbo are Anioma. The mythology, tradition and folklore of the people from every part of the region in a clear-cut manner historically recount the origins of the various communities as preserved by the people. It therefore amounts to failure, misleading notion and disingenuousness for people outside the region, relying on distorted and vague accounts to tell the people their history. This is because the people know their history better.

The origin of the Anioma are mainly derived from the Igbo of South East and Iduu (Benin) and other smaller ethnic-groups such as Nupe none of these major ethnic-groups can wholly lay claim to being historical birthplace of the people of Anioma for such will definitely and insincerely amount to assimilating their entire history and brings to fore attempt to rewrite the history of the people. Okpanam was founded by Okpam from Utchi, and are considered relatives of Ogwashi from Nri in Anambra State.

The particular communities of the present Anioma region that trace their origin to the Igbo are the Ibusa (Igbo-Uzo) whose ancestors are from Nri (Nshi in the dialect of the people) and Isu. The Ibusa community represents the very first of the Igbo migration out the Igbo known society to the western part of the River Niger. We know that several Ezechime migrants from Benin also settled in Ibusa. Others are Ogwashi-Uku from Nri and Benin. Ewulu was founded by a man from Anam in present Anambra State. Ndoni migrated from Okehi, a place lying close to Owerri. The Akwukwu are from Nri. Isheagu people migrated from Awka. Illah from Nri, Igala and Obior. Owar Nri and Benin. Obomkpa from Nri and Benin. Ute-Okpu from Nri, Benin and Ora in Edo State.

The Ejeme Unor people are known to be fraternal of Ibusa just as Utchi are fraternal relatives of Ogwashi who are largely from Nri. Umukwata are also fraternal relatives of Abbi. The Obomkpa people share origins with Nri and Benin linking them to the Ezechime migrants. Ute-Okpu origin is divided between Nri, Benin and Ora in present Edo state. The Abbi originated from a place called Achalla in Awka, Anambra State. Asaba was was founded by people from Nteje later joined by other people from Igala. The Ogbeowele still maintain that that they originated from Oba in Anambra State.

Those communitities that trace their origins to Benin are Agbor founded by Ogungunagbon, who migrated from Benin. He was later joined by other settlers who left Benin for one reason or the other and other Anioma communities mainly from Mbiri, Ute-Okpu etc. Umunede was founded by Ede from Benin; Ukwu-Oba was founded by Ukwu who migrated from Benin. Abavo was founded by migrants from Abavo. Interestingly, the community that today exists as Okwe was founded by a group of people stationed from benin by the Oba of Benin to act as a check against the invading powers of the Igala. Onicha-Ugbo was founded by the Onicha, the first son of Ezechime. Issele-Uku was originally founded by a group from Nri but records suggest that the community was later re-founded by Oligbo the last son of Ezecheme such was the case in Ogbowele. Oligbo is a well known name till today within the communities of Anioma, thus one of the most commonly borne names in Ibusa. This true origin of the name suggests the relationship between the original founders of Ibusa and the Ezechime migrants that later settled in Ibusa. Ogbowele is also a quarter prominently lying in Ibusa. It is another gathers another point of relationship between the Ibusa and Ezechime. Further researches will dig and precisely exhume the relationships in existence.

Ebedei located in Kwale was founded by Edei. Egbudu-Aka was founded by two brothers from Benin. Aboh was founded by Esume from Benin. Idumuje-Unor is a community founded by Diayi, one of Ezechime migrants from Benin. Ogume and Akarai are originally from Benin. Mbiri started as a settlement founded by Arai, a man from Benin but within a century later, Mbiri had been filled with other migrants from Igbodo and Ubulu-Ukwu. Onitsha-Mmili (Anambra State) was founded by Ezechime, a migrant from Benin. The Obiaruku people are of Umuebu. Ejeme-Aniogor migrated from Ejeme-Unor just as Issele-Mkpitime are from Issele-Uku. Issele-Azagba are equally from Issele-Uku. The Umunede community was founded by migrants from Abraka. Igbuku was originally by Afor group of people later joined by the Ijaw from Ondoni in Bayelsa state and Ellu people of Isoko in present Delta State.

From the above, it is clear that the Anioma people cannot lay claim to dropping from the sky neither do the people claim to have emerged from nothing rather the various communities that now make up the region which today enjoy a single destiny owe their origins to nearby communities chiefly Igbo, Benin and Igala. As the region can be geographically accessed, it strategically stands between the Igbo and Benin regions, and having enjoyed numerous relationships from both major ethnic-groups have become influenced by them which can be seen today socially and otherwise. It is for this reason that the Anioma is often described as one of the most highly contiguous regions in Nigeria not only adjacent to the Igbo and Benin but also Igala, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Isoko etc.

Interestingly, the origins of the people of Anioma have been preserved in form of the names they bear, which is a major significance in the historical value of the people. The Ibusa people traditionally refer to themselves as “Igbo-Uzo-Isu”, Ogwashi-Uku is often traditionally referred to “Ogwasi-Odaigbo” which memorably defines and preserves Odaigbo as the chief founder of the community. Okpanam in the dialect of the Anioma people is called “Okpanam-Ora-Utchi” identifying “Utchi” as the founder of the town. Asaba is known as “Ahaba-Ujom” and so on. That is the beauty of the preservation of the history of the origin of the people through names.

Emeka Esogbue hails from Ibusa, Delta State, Nigeria.

emekaesogbue@yahoo.com

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