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73-566: The Waawa clan of Northern Igboland , also referred to as Ndi Waawa, Wawa People , are a unique sub-group of the Igbo people in Enugu and Ebonyi State , Nigeria , consisting of several communities, who all speak a unique dialect of Igbo called Waawa . The most notable among these are the Agbaja and Ngwo which consist of peoples between the wooded lands of Awka (capital of Anambra State ) to

146-456: A basis for a proposed Proto-Igbo cultural heartland antecedent to contemporary Igbo culture. Much of the Igbo population is believed to have expanded from a smaller area in this region, diverging into several independent Igbo-speaking tribes, village-groups, kingdoms and states. The movements were generally broken into two trends in migration: a more northerly group that expanded towards the banks of

219-669: A council of elders, the government now increasingly became involved in the succession. In some cases, the government merged or split traditional domains. For example, there had been two rulers of the Efik people in the area around Calabar , but in December 1970 it was agreed to combine the office into a single one that was to be held by a ruler known as the Obong . When Yobe State was created there were just four emirates, but in January 2000

292-528: A distinct Igbo ethnic identity. Missionaries had started arriving in the 1850s. The Igbo, at first wary of the religion, started to embrace Christianity and Western education as traditional society broke down. Christianity had played a great part in the introduction of European ideology into Igbo society and culture often time through erasure of cultural practice; adherents to the denominations were often barred in partaking in ancient rites and traditions, and joining fraternities and secret societies were forbidden as

365-489: A divine leader and civiliser sent from heaven to begin civilisation. In contrast, Eri's origins generally suggest a north easterly origin which has sparked up debate pertaining to a possible Igala (not a fact) origin for Eri. Due to historic trade and migration of old, other people also entered the Igboland in about the fourteenth or fifteenth centuries and mixed with the natives. Towards the western end of Igboland, across

438-476: A local beauty, Afia Nwirediagu, and later Gwachi Ebue. Slowly but surely, Onyeama got the colonists to award him the “Warrant Chiefdom” of Eke. He took power and defined it. Onyeama saw himself as an absolute ruler whose authority could not be easily flouted. But the King of Onitsha, Obi Okosi I, also reigned. No Igbo king questioned the might of the supreme monarch of Onitsha, let alone supposedly “lesser chiefs” from

511-468: A man who had threatened her son Onyeama with violence. Brought up by his half-brother, Amadiezeoha Nwankwo-Onwusi, Onyeama worked hard and made his mark in business. He traveled to famous Aro-controlled trading centers, including Abiriba , Arochukwu , Arondizuogu , Bende , Oguta , Uburu, etc. When British rule reached Eke in 1908, Onyeama was rich enough to buy his way into the Ozo title society and to marry

584-466: A mark of immutability, he stated: “Wa–wa!” [Never!] He turned and decreed to the colonial officers: “If that man is still occupying that seat when I come back, the leopard will eat him.” Onyeama got his way and prevailed as the greatest king in town! Considered an upstart by those who have had longer socioeconomic intercourse with the British, Onyeama did not make himself many friends. A record was waxed in

657-456: A resident named Isiah Anozie found them in the process of digging a cistern. This led to the discovery of a larger network of linked metal works from the 9th century. The works were based in Igbo Ukwu. Further finds were made found by archaeology teams led by Thurstan Shaw in 1959–60, and in 1964 in the compound of Jonah Anozie. Initially, throughout the 1960s and 1970s, scholars believed that

730-571: A stalemate. Both sides arranged a marriage between the king of Obong Okon Ita and a woman from Amanagwu. The marriage eventually failed to bring peace but played a decisive role in the war. Oke Nnachi was led by Nnachi Ipia who was a dibia or priest among the Edda people and was called by Agwu Inobia to help in the war against the Ibibio. These groups were followed by a third non-Igbo Ekoi -cultured group, Akpa or Ibom Oburutu who were led by Akuma Nnaubi,

803-915: Is commonly used in the English language, but names in the local languages include Sarki, Shehu, Mai, Etsu and Lamido. In the Middle Belt of Nigeria, different titles are held. An example is the Aku Uka of the Kwararafa kingdom, traditional ruler of the Jukun , whose seat is in Wukari , Taraba state . Agwam is used among the Atyap peoples , Kpop among the Ham ; Agwom among the Adara , Afizere , Bakulu and Gbong Gwom by

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876-508: Is considered the Igbo staple crop and has been dedicated deities such as Njoku Ji, the yam god. Igbo cuisine includes other vegetables such as Pumpkin seed, used to make a soup called Egusi, Bitter leaf which is made into a soup and Okra, of which its name stems from the Igbo language. The Waawa people eat fufu or pounded yam , which is known locally as utara with a variety of unique soups e.g. ohé-ede , made with cocoyam , ohé-nsala and ohé-onugbu made with bitterleaf . Aside from than

949-954: Is divided into several southern Nigerian states ; culturally, it has included several subgroupings, including the Awka - Enugu - Nsukka , Anioma - Enuani , the Umueri - Aguleri -Anam groups, the Ngwa , the Orlu - Okigwe - Owerri communities, the Mbaise , the Ezza , Bende , the Ikwuano - Umuahia (these include Ohuhu , Ubakala , Oboro , Ibeku , etc.), the Ogba , the Omuma , the Abam - Aro - Ohafia ( Abiriba and Nkporo ),

1022-564: Is evidence of Late Stone Age (late Paleolithic) human presence from at least 10,000 years ago. Early settlement of Igboland is dated to 6000 BC based on pottery found in the Okigwe, Oka Igwe, and known today as Awka. In 1978 a team led by Thurstan Shaw , with the University of Nigeria at Nsukka, excavated a rock quarry. They found that it was a mine for tool and pottery making for a 'stone civilisation' nearby at Ibagwa . Anthropologists at

1095-643: Is likewise used by the Efik , Ibibio and Annang peoples of Cross River and Akwa Ibom States . Among the Igbo people in the South-East, Eze , Igwe and Obi are typically used to denote rulers. The Ijaws of the Niger Delta, refer to their kings as either: Pere, Obanema, Mingi, Obanobhan, Ibenanaowei or an Amanyanabo. Among the Eleme people of Rivers State in the South-South . The King

1168-594: Is terminated by the Cross River , although micro-communities exist over on the other side of the river; its northernmost point enters the Savannah climate around Nsukka . In Nigeria today, Igboland is roughly made up of Abia , Anambra , Ebonyi , Enugu , Imo , Northern Delta and Rivers states. More than 30 million people inhabit Igboland and with a population density ranging from 140 to 390 inhabitants per square kilometre (350 to 1,000/sq mi) it could be

1241-722: Is used by the Esan peoples to refer to their various rulers in Edo State , while the Afamai people use Otaru and Okwokpellagbe. Other titles are also used. The Itsekiri people of Warri Kingdom address their traditional ruler with the Olu of Warri title. Among the Urhobos and Isokos of Delta State , the general title used is Ovie. Some clans use related titles however, such as Orodje, Orosuen, Ohworode, Odion-Ologbo, and Odio r'Ode. Obong

1314-664: The Benin Kingdom's paramount ruler in Edo State. Enogie (plural enigie) and Okao (plural ikao) are ascribed to his dukes and viceroys within the Benin Kingdom, while Odionwere is ascribed to his governors or senior elders. In practice, enigie are not installed in communities with ikao, as they are both traditional rulers and representatives of the Oba, charged with the administration of their respective communities Onojie

1387-870: The Berom in southern Kaduna State and Plateau State . Tor is used by the Tiv and Oche by the Idoma of Benue State . Long and Ngolong are used by the Goemai and Ngas , respectively, and Ponzhi is used by the Tarok , all of Plateau State. In Yoruba culture, " Oba " is the title for a king, symbolizing both authority and cultural heritage. Obas are traditional rulers presiding over specific towns or regions in Yorubaland, which spans parts of southwestern Nigeria and neighboring areas. Each town typically has its own Oba, who serves as

1460-744: The British Empire after several decades of resistance on all fronts; some of the most famous of the resistance include the Ekumeku Movement , the Anglo-Aro War , and the Aba Women's Riots which was contributed to by women of different ethnic backgrounds in eastern Nigeria. A number of polities rose either directly or indirectly as a result of Nri; the most powerful kingdom of these was the Aro Confederacy which rose in

1533-588: The Hausa and the Yoruba , became sharper. British rule brought about changes in culture such as the introduction of warrant chiefs as Eze (traditional rulers) where there were no such monarchies. Following the independence of Nigeria from the United Kingdom in 1960, most of Igboland was included in its Eastern Region . Following a coup in 1966 which saw mostly Igbo soldiers assassinating politicians from

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1606-749: The Maxim gun , and making treaties of "protection" with the local rulers. The company's territory was sold to the British government in 1900, with the southern region merged with the Niger Coast Protectorate to become the Southern Nigeria Protectorate and the Northern Nigeria Protectorate remaining separate. In 1914 the two were merged into the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, with roughly

1679-620: The Niger River , rose a man known as Eze Chima who fled Benin with his accomplices after a dispute with the Oba of Benin who consequently exiled him in the 1560s. As they left Benin City heading eastwards, Eze Chima and his followers settled in a number of lands and established monarchies with the natives in those areas. Other accounts point to Eze Chima coming from Ife as a result of Ekaladeran, an Bini prince who migrated to Ife from Bini and usurped

1752-698: The Niger-Delta . Here the Niger river fans out into the Atlantic Ocean in a vast network of creeks and mangrove swamps on the Bight of Bonny . The earliest found settlements in Igboland date to 900 BCE in the central area, from where the majority of the Igbo-speaking population is believed to have migrated. The northern Igbo Kingdom of Nri , which rose around the 10th century CE, is credited with

1825-583: The United Arab Republic (air force), as well as with support from other states around the world. The effects of Nigerian war strategies such as starvation on Biafran civilians (most of whom were ethnic Igbo) remains a controversial topic. The movement for the sovereignty of Biafra has continued with a minority, most making up the MASSOB organisation. Nigerian traditional rulers Nigerian traditional rulers often derive their titles from

1898-454: The University of Benin have discovered fossils and use of monoliths dating to 4500 BC at Ngodo in the Uturu town. Further evidence of ancient settlements were uncovered at what researchers believe may be an Nsukka metal cultural area from 3000 BC, and later settlements attributed to Ngwa culture at AD 8-18. It is unclear what cultural links there are between these pre-historic artefacts and

1971-793: The Waawa , the Mbaise ,the Ikwerre , the Ndoki , the Isu and the Ekpeye . Igboland is surrounded on all sides by large rivers, and other southern and central Nigeria indigenous tribes, namely Igala , Tiv , Yako , Idoma and Ibibio . In the words of William B. Baikie: Igbo settlement, extends east and west in the Niger-Delta region which is owned by the Middle-Belt, formerly known as Bendel, from

2044-601: The 10th century based on Umunri traditions, is credited with the foundation of much of Igboland's culture, customs, and religious practices. It is the oldest existing monarchy in present-day Nigeria. It was around the mid-10th century that the divine figure Eri is said to have migrated, according to Umunri lore, to the Anambra ( Igbo : Omambara ) river basin — specifically at its meeting with Ezu river known as Ezu na Omambara in present-day Aguleri . The exact origins of Eri are unknown and much of Nri traditions present him as

2117-577: The 1930s accusing him of burying an unfaithful wife alive! A court order forced the German company that waxed the slanderous record to withdraw it from circulation. This and other image-destructive stories of absolute tyranny, wife-snatching and even murder have never really removed from the legend of Onyeama. His people looked at him with mixture of awe and admiration. His secret police (made up of handpicked, local wrestling champions) struck so much fear into both chiefs and commoners that generations still respect

2190-470: The British Royal Navy had opened up trade with coastal towns Bonny and Opobo and further inland on the Niger with Asaba in the 1870s. The palm oil industry, the biggest export, grew large and important to the British who traded here. British arrival and trade led to increased encounters between the Igbo and other polities and ethnic groups around the Niger River and led to a deepening sense of

2263-583: The Cross River region in the 17th century and declined after British colonisation in the early 20th century. The Aro state centred on Arochukwu followed Nri's steady decline, basing much of its economic activities on the rising trade in slaves to Europeans by coastal African middlemen. The present site of Arochukwu was originally settled by the Ibibio people under the Obong Okon Ita kingdom before

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2336-569: The Enugu metropolis. Each Waawa community has a distinct dialect of Igbo, which are somewhat related to each other but quite different from Central Igbo language The Nsukka variety is notably quite different to the rest as it said to take influence from the Northern borders of Benue State , it bears many similarities with Northern Ebonyi State dialects, notably tending towards the e sound in place of ' a' and h in place of f . For example,

2409-650: The Igbo Ukwu bronze and copper items found here had been made elsewhere and were trade goods or were influenced by outside technology due to their technical sophistication. The opposite was revealed to be true: local copper deposits had been exploited by the 9th century and anthropological evidence, such as the Ichi-like scarifications on the human figures, show the items were of local Igbo cultural origin. The works have since been attributed to an isolated bronze industry, which had developed without outside influence over time and reached great sophistication. Igbo trade routes of

2482-430: The Igbo on both sides of the river. It also enabled ancient trade and migration of people into Igboland, and between Igboland and rest of the world. Some of the notable ancient trade and export routes in Igboland included the famous lower Niger and Njaba - Oguta lake - Orashi navigational routes via Asaba - Onitsha - Aboh , and Awo-omamma - Oguta - Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni - Aboh ferry services, respectively. There

2555-630: The Niger and the upper quadrant of the Cross River; the other, following a southerly trail, had risen from the Isu populations based closer to the axis from which the majority of southern Igbo communities emerged. Mbaise are notably the best examples of an Igbo group claiming autochthony; they reject theories of many migratory histories about their origins. Based on the proximity of traditions to those of their neighbours, and familial and political ties, many of these groups are apparently culturally northern or southern Igbo. The first Igbo Ukwu metal and precious artefacts finds were made accidentally in 1939, when

2628-595: The Old Kalabar river to the banks of the Kwora, Niger River , and live in some territory at Aboh , an Igbo clan, to the west-ward of the latter stream. On the north it borders on Igara, Igala and A'kpoto , and it is separated from the sea only by petty tribes, all of which trace their origin to this great race. It is primarily situated in the Lowland forest region of Nigeria. They can also be found in some parts of

2701-408: The central and regional governments of Nigeria are closer in substance to those of the high nobility of old Europe than to those of actual reigning monarchs. Modern Nigeria encompasses lands traditionally occupied by highly diverse ethnic groups with very different languages and traditions. In broad terms, the southeast was occupied mainly by Igbo , the Niger Delta by Edo and Igbo related people,

2774-416: The church grew stronger. Due to the incompatibility of the Igbo decentralized style of government and the centralized system required for British indirect rule, British colonial rule was marked with open conflicts and much tension. Under British colonial rule, the diversity within each of Nigeria's major ethnic groups slowly decreased and distinctions between the Igbo and other large ethnic groups, such as

2847-402: The coastal states, primarily exchanging cotton and other manufactured goods for slaves and palm oil products at centers such as Calabar , Bonny and Lagos . The Niger Coast Protectorate was established in 1891 holding a small area along the coast. During the period 1879–1900 the Royal Niger Company made a concerted effort to take control of the interior, using disciplined troops armed with

2920-408: The common Igbo foods, traditional Waawa food includes a series of dishes referred to as agworo-agwo . Many of these dishes are made with tapioca or cassava , such as abacha , which is known locally as okoto in Udi , and jigbo in other areas of Waawaland. It is eaten with ugba which is known in this part of the country as akpaka . Cassava is also made into ighu , which are larger flakes of

2993-399: The community's spiritual, cultural, and political leader. The position is hereditary, with responsibilities that include preserving customs, resolving disputes, and maintaining peace. Renowned Obas, such as the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo , hold particular historical and spiritual significance, connecting the Yoruba people to their rich ancestral lineage. Oba is also used to refer to

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3066-445: The conquest of what became Obinkita in the 17th century by two main Igbo groups: the Eze Agwu clan and the Oke Nnachi assisted by the Ibom Isi (or Akpa) mercenaries under the leadership of the Nnubi dynasty . Led by Agwu Inobia , a descendant of Nna Uru from Abiriba , the Eze Agwu clan was centered at their capital Amanagwu and were resisted by Obong Okon Ita which led to the start of the Aro-Ibibio Wars . The war initially became

3139-432: The democratic structure, there is intense competition for royal seats amongst the finite pool of eligible dynasts. The rulers can also award traditional or honorary titles within the Nigerian chieftaincy system . These titles come with ex officio positions in their "administrations", and wealthy businessmen and politicians often place great value in acquiring such titles. The rulers play useful roles in mediating between

3212-498: The early second millennium reached the cities of Mecca , Medina and Jeddah through a network of trade routes journeyed by middlemen. Beads that originated in India in the 9th century have been found in Igbo Ukwu burial sites: Thousands of glass beads were uncovered from the ruined remains of a nobleman's garments. The burial site was associated with the Nri Kingdom, which began around the same century, according to indigenous history. The northern Igbo Kingdom of Nri , rising around

3285-432: The evils of war, and the benefits of peace, all of which was well received", when signing a trade agreement on August 30, 1885 with Ezebogo, an Igbo chief in Asaba . Due to the native common linguistic standard and interrelated cultures in Igboland, the lower Niger River , which divides Igboland into unequal eastern and western parts, has from ancient times provided easy means of communication, trading and unity amongst

3358-425: The f is silent during pronunciation. During pronunciation, the beginning and ending vowels are heard whereas the rest of the other alphabets{at the centre of the word} are dead silent and transformed into air when the word is pronounced such as efa- eghfa (by drawing in air as the mouth is opened i.e. breathing in and closing the mouth as the air is released i.e. breathing out). Igboland Politically, Igboland

3431-409: The first Eze Aro, the title of the king of the Aro. In southern Igboland several groups developed mostly independent of Nri influence. Most of these groups followed a migration out of Isu communities in present-day Imo State , although some communities, such as the Mbaise cluster of village groups, claim to be autochthonous . Following the British parliament's abolition of the slave trade in 1807,

3504-495: The first holder of this title, in order to have a "traditional ruler" to speak for the Tiv people. With independence in 1960, followed by alternating democratic and military governments, the status of the traditional rulers evolved even further. In the north, the emirs finally lost power to the government administration, though said administration was often staffed by traditional notables. Where rulers had previously acquired office strictly through inheritance or through appointment by

3577-476: The foundation of much of Igboland's culture, customs, and religious practices. It is the oldest existing monarchy in present-day Nigeria. In southern Igboland several groups developed, of which the most notable was the Aro Confederacy . During the late 19th century, Igboland was made part of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate of the British Empire and was amalgamated into modern-day Nigeria in 1914. Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Shortly afterward, Igboland

3650-417: The head of state of the new republic. The Nigerian Civil War (or the "Nigerian-Biafran War") lasted from 6 July 1967 until 15 January 1970, after which Biafra once again became part of Nigeria. The Republic of Biafra was defeated after three years of war by the federal government of Nigeria from 1967 to 1970 with military support from the United Kingdom (strategy and ammunition), Soviet Union (ammunition),

3723-460: The method of his killers; Ironsi had his legs tied to the back of a Land Rover and was driven around town while still attached. The Eastern Region formed the core of the secessionist Republic of Biafra. A regional council of the peoples of Eastern Nigeria decided the region should secede as the Republic of Biafra on May 30, 1967. Nigerian General Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu on this day made a declaration of independence of Biafra from Nigeria and became

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3796-417: The might of this great king. The current traditional ruler Of Oma-Eke is Igwe Harold Chinwendu Onuoha, Eze-Oha I. Amongst the Waawa people there is a lot of cultural diversity, and each locality can be identified by their unique style of music and cultural dance. Some styles by region include: One of the most important vegetables in Waawa cuisine and in the Igbo culture in general is the yam tuber. This

3869-489: The moment, and, by our interpreter, told Tshukuma, that we had come to make his acquaintance and his friendship, and to ascertain if the people were willing to trade with us." He signed a trade agreement with Igbo chief, Tshukuma (Chukwuma) Obi from Aboh clan, one of the leading Igbo clans, which engaged in early active trading with Europe . Similarly, Baikie recounted that "after our salutations, I spoke of friendship, of trade, and of education, and particularly enlarged upon

3942-515: The most densely populated area in Africa after the Nile Valley . Altogether Igboland has an area of some 40,900 to 41,400 km (15,800 to 16,000 sq mi). Igboland's culture has been shaped by its rainforest climate, its ancient trade along the rivers, migration, and social history within its various clans and peoples. It has been influenced by its ancient trading neighbours, allies, and more recently by relations with Europeans. Mid-nineteenth century trader W. B. Baikie said, "I seized

4015-400: The north. Onyeama signaled quite early that the reign of the Obi of Onitsha was history turned upside down, because he considered the entire monarchy of Onitsha a sub-colonial setup of recent immigrants from the Benin Kingdom. If anything, he (Onyeama) was in the league of the Oba of Benin or Ooni of Ife , the Yoruba monarch. This set the stage for a looming showdown between the kings of

4088-422: The northeast Igbo (called the Wawa) and southwest Igbo (called the Ijekeebé). And so it was that at the gathering of Igbo kings in 1928, all major kings and chiefs in the old Onitsha province (including Enugu) and beyond assembled in Enugu to welcome Captain W. Buchanan-Smith, the recently appointed lieutenant-governor of southern Nigeria provinces. The Obi naturally occupied the highest seat of honor reserved for

4161-412: The original Igbo rulers. . Ife was originally inhabited by Igbos prior to 1300. Those grew into major village groups and towns after the 16th century. Collectively, these places are known as Umuezechima which translates as 'the children or descendants of king Chima'. Igboland was historically known as the Ibo(e) , Ebo(e) , and Ibwo Country by early European explorers. Igboland was conquered by

4234-473: The people and the state, enhancing national identity, resolving minor conflicts and providing an institutional safety-valve for often inadequate state bureaucracies. One reason for their influence may be that the people of many ethnic groups have limited ability to communicate in the official English language, so the traditional ruler serves as an interpreter and spokesperson. By June 2010, Akwa Ibom State had 116 traditional rulers with official certificates from

4307-455: The people of the region today. Later human settlement in the region may have links with other discoveries made in the wider area, particularly with the culture associated with the terracotta discoveries at Nok , which spanned a wide area of present-day north-central Nigeria. Some local villagers retain what they believe are original names of settlements, such as Umuzuoka, The Blacksmiths Ụzụoka, Ọkigwe, Ịmọka, etc. The Nsukka-Okigwe axis forms

4380-508: The rocky valleys of Enugu (capital of Enugu State ). The Agbaja are made up of communities in present-day Ngwo clan, Udi , Ezeagu , Umulokpa , Igbo-Etiti , Oji River , greater Awgu , Aninri and Enugu East Local Government Areas. Other notable parts of the Waawa clan include Nkanu , Nsukka , Abia (not be confused with people from Abia State ), Nike , Agbani , Owo , and other communities in Enugu State . The Waawa are most notably associated with Chief Onyeama's people from Eke , who

4453-433: The rulers of independent states or communities that existed before the formation of modern Nigeria . Although they do not have formal political power, in many cases they continue to command respect from their people and have considerable influence in their community. Though their bearers usually maintain the monarchical styles and titles of their sovereign ancestors, both their independent activities and their relations with

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4526-422: The same boundaries as the modern state of Nigeria. The first British High Commissioner for Northern Nigeria, Lord Frederick Lugard , tried to rule through the traditional rulers, and this approach was later extended to the south. Lugard's successor Hugh Clifford left this system in place in the north, where the emirate system had long traditions, but introduced a legislative council with some elected members in

4599-421: The south, relegating the traditional rulers to mainly symbolic roles. Over time, the relationship between the colonial administration and the traditional rulers evolved. For example, the Tiv people , at the time the fourth largest ethnic group in the country, had always been extremely decentralized and therefore had no paramount ruler. The British created the office of Tor Tiv in 1947, appointing Makere Dzakpe as

4672-494: The southwest by Yoruba and related people and the north by Hausa and Fulani people, with a complex intermingling of different ethnic groups in the Middle-Belt between north and south. In total there were (and are) more than 200 distinct ethnic groups. Before the arrival of the British in the late 19th century, the history of the area was turbulent, with periods when empires such as those of Oyo , Kanem-Bornu and Sokoto gained control over large areas, and other periods when

4745-556: The state governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim restructured the state into 13. The government has maintained colonial classifications. Thus when Kwara State governor Bukola Saraki appointed three new monarchs in August 2010, the new Emir of Kaiama was designated a first class traditional ruler while the Onigosun of Igosun and Alaran of Aran-Orin were designated third class monarchs. Traditional rulers today are still highly respected in many communities, and have considerable political and economic influence. Although they have no formal role in

4818-403: The state. They had received new cars on their appointment, among other perks. The chairman of the Akwa Ibom Council of Chiefs said that in return, the traditional fathers were responsible for preventing robberies and kidnappings in their domains. As there are over 525 different native languages in Nigeria , there are many titles for traditional rulers. In the northern Muslim states, Emir

4891-454: The states were more fragmented. Although political structures differed widely between different ethnic groups, it was common for each town or collection of towns to have a recognized ruler, who might in turn be subordinate to the ruler of a larger polity. Thus the Sokoto caliphate was divided into emirates, with the emirs loosely subordinate to the Sultan of Sokoto , although at times acting as independent rulers. Europeans had long traded with

4964-457: The supposed traditional ruler of Igbo nation. When Onyeama came in later with his entourage of security men, chiefs and Igbanküda drummers, he was outraged by the Obi's assumed position of supreme authority in his domain. Onyeama ordered the immediate removal of the powerful King of Onitsha. A scene ensued with the District Officer trying to placate Onyeama. Furiously, as legend has it, he uttered, “Wa” (the local lingo for “No”); for emphasis and as

5037-407: The vegetable, prepared like abacha . All kinds of bean dishes are native and unique to the Waawa, such as agbugbu ( fiofio ), achicha , akidi and okpa (which is a popular street food similar to moin moin but made with bambara bean ). Okpa di oku meaning The okpa is hot , is a phrase quintessential to Enugu. All of these traditional dishes are available in fast-food joints within

5110-420: The western and northern regions of Nigeria, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi seized control of Lagos, the capital, and came into power as military head of state of Nigeria. In revolt and retaliation against the government General Aguiyi-Ironsi was ambushed and assassinated by Northern members of the military on 29 July 1966 in a revolt against that had strong ethnic overtones. Ironsi's assassination stood out more because of

5183-405: The word aka , which means hand in Igbo is pronounced eka in the Nsukka region. Likewise the word afo , which means stomach in Igbo Language is pronounced eho in Nsukka dialect. This linguistic region covers more than just Nsukka Local Government Area but a large part of Northern Waawaland. In the Nkanu kingdom/region of the Waawa Nation, the 'mgbochiume mkpi'gh, is added to f whereas

5256-423: Was involved in its biggest war during Biafra's movement for secession . It ended in 1970, when Nigerian government forces prevailed in the conflict. Historically, Igboland has taken up a large part of southeastern Nigeria, mostly on the eastern side of the Niger River . Their territory extends westward across the Niger to the regions of Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ukwuani, and Ika in present-day Delta State. Its eastern side

5329-476: Was the paramount ruler of Agbaja in the early 20th century. Onyeama was born circa 1870s, the youngest of the ten children of Özö Omulu Onwusi, a polygamous titled man of means, and an only son of his mother – Chinazungwa Ijeonyeabo of nearby Ebe community. At 7, his father initiated him into the masquerade society. A puberty rite of passage, this showed the promise of the young man. Onyeama's father died thereafter. His mother also died, probably killed for poisoning

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