Draft:Agwa
Comment: A lot of work has clearly gone into this draft, but I'm afraid it still needs more work before it could become a Wikipedia article.The "References" section is more or less a duplication of the "Notes" section, as far as I can tell, and that is confusing. It is in the "Notes" section we find the automatically generated list of sources that support the information in the article, which is normally found under the heading "References". If there are sources in "References" that aren't currently used in the article, it can be listed in a "Further reading" section if it is relevant.The tone, especially in the "History" section and its subsections, has to be much more neutral and dry. It is currently written in the style that would work in a popular scientific text or perhaps a brochure at a museum of history. It also seems to be a synthesis rather than a summary of the sources, in violation of Wikipedia's No Original Research policy, although that could be a result of the writing style. bonadea contributions talk 14:43, 4 September 2024 (UTC)
Comment: A search result is not a valid reference sorry. Theroadislong (talk) 07:04, 23 June 2024 (UTC)
Ágwà Ọ̀hà Ágwà | |
---|---|
Town | |
![]() Giant Uzhi tree at Obudi, Ágwà | |
Motto(s): Udo, ịdị n'otu, na Ọganihu | |
Coordinates: 5°33′35″N 6°53′00″E / 5.55972°N 6.88333°E | |
Country | ![]() |
States | Imo State |
LGA | Oguta LGA |
Villages | |
Government | |
• Type | Traditional Republicanism, Councillorship |
• Body | Traditional Chiefs of autonomous communities, Elected Ward Councillors |
Area | |
• Total | [2]259 km2 (Formatting error: invalid input when rounding sq mi) |
Population | |
• Total | 230,000[1] |
• Density | 888/km2 (2,300/sq mi) |
Demonym(s) | Onye Ágwà, Ńdé Agwa,Agwarian |
Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Postcode | 464111,464112.[3] |
Religion | Christianity, Omenala |
Agwa is a community in Oguta LGA of Imo State, lying 22 kilometres East of Oguta town, and 15 kilometres West of the Owerri Capital Territory.[4]
Geography
Agwa is situated on the East banks of the Orashi and Njaba Rivers, at the crossroads of Igbo culture, surrounded by the Oru (Riverine Igbo) to the West, the Isu to the North, the Uratta clusters to the East, and the Ohaji to the South.[5]
The clan is located in a lowland area, nestled within the verdant tropical rainforests of the Lower Niger plains. It shares its borders with Ogbaku in Mbaitolu LGA to the North, Ejemekwuru and Izombe in Oguta LGA to the West, Amakohia-Ubi and Okuku in Owerri West LGA to the East, and Amafor, Obogwe, and Egbema communities in Ohaji/Egbema L.G.A to the Southwest and South, all within Imo State.[6][7]
Agwa's territory constitutes 24.3% of the landmass of Oguta LGA. However, the area occupied by Agwa settlements is only 10.5km², accounting for merely 7.7% of the entire landmass of the Agwa territory. The remaining 92.3% of the territory comprises farmlands and conserved forests.
Although there are no rivers or streams within the clan itself, Agwa falls within the river basins of the Orashi and Njaba rivers. Historically, aside from rainfall, the main sources of water were ponds, wells, and tree trunks, with the rivers in neighbouring Egbema providing additional water resources[8][9]
According to oral traditions and myths, it is believed that a tributary of the Orashi River once extended to Agwa before disappearing, reportedly due to a dispute with the people of Agwa over meeting the demands of the water spirit[10][11].
In historical texts, the town was previously referred to as Obudi-Agwa. This naming convention arose from the establishment of a colonial native court and dispensary at Obudi village after the Anglo-Aro war. However, this was later rectified to accurately reflect the name of the town[12][13][14][15][16]
Demography
The Agwa people are integral to the Oratta cluster of the Southern Igbo, recognized as the Owerri group from a historical and anthropological perspective.[17] The people of the clan are perceived as belligerent by neighbouring communities. [18][19] A longstanding history of successful warfare, particularly in the context of territorial expansion tends to support this belief.[20]
Linguistically, the Agwa people speak a unique dialect of Igbo, sharing similarities with the dialect spoken by the Oratta clusters or the Owerri group.[21] Notably, the Agwa dialect is distinguished by its unique tone, accentuation, semantics, and phonology. It is characterized by a strong accent and an imposing tone, setting it apart from other Igbo dialects.[22]
In terms of population, the Agwa clan is reputed to be the most populous clan in Oguta Local Government Area (LGA)[23] and ranks as the second largest clan in the entire Imo State based on indigenous population, second only to Mbieri in Mbaitolu LGA.[24] Within Oguta LGA, the Agwa clan constitutes the majority of the voting strength, having three out of the eleven wards in the LGA. Specifically, the population of Agwa alone constitutes 27.2% of the entire population of Oguta LGA.
The 1963 population census figures, controversially rejected by the Eastern Regional Government for allegedly deflating the population figures of the Eastern Region,[25] [26]reported the population of Agwa at 29,000.[27] Conversely, a 1969 US report estimated the population of the clan to be around 75,000.[28] Presently, the population is estimated to exceed 230,000 [29]with approximately 35% of the population residing outside the clan.
![](Https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Oririnta_Festival%2C_Umuekpu-Agwa.jpg/220px-Oririnta_Festival%2C_Umuekpu-Agwa.jpg)
Remarkably, the Agwa people have a notable presence in various cities within and outside Imo State, especially in Owerri, Port-Harcourt, Lagos, Onitsha, Enugu and Abuja, as well as in several countries around the world.
The Agwa Central Union (ACU) plays a pivotal role in integrating all home and diaspora town unions for community development.[30] Religiously, the Agwa people are predominantly Christians, with a substantial Roman Catholic population.[31] Despite the influence of Christianity, a sizable population still adheres to traditional religions, with recent years witnessing a resurgence of interest in the traditional religion.[32][33]
History
![](Https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Oghu_Masqueraders%2C_Mgbala-Agwa.jpg/220px-Oghu_Masqueraders%2C_Mgbala-Agwa.jpg)
![](Https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/Forbidden_Okoroshi_Masquerade_Mask_Head.jpg/220px-Forbidden_Okoroshi_Masquerade_Mask_Head.jpg)
The history of the Agwa clan.
Etymology
The term "Agwa" carries multifaceted meanings, adding layers to the clan's etymology. According to older Igbo dictionaries, it signifies a climbing plant, potentially linked to the nomenclature of the Ihiagwa town. Moreover, in the Igbo language, "Agwa" conveys the concept of "character" or behaviour.
One theory suggests that the name "Ihiagwa" is a reflection of the behaviour of its people, attributed to a statement by Chukwu when departing from the Otamiri river to Arochukwu[34].
Additionally, in the Ikwerre dialect, spoken south of Agwa, "Agwa" denotes "remnants"[35].
Traditions of Origin
Despite its limitations, oral tradition remains indispensable in the preservation of African history[36][37]
Oral traditions present three theories of the origin of the Agwa clan: The Ihiagwa Theory, the Autochthonous Theory, and the Amalgam Theory.
- The Ihiagwa Theory
The Ihiagwa theory is more popular among the Agwa people today, revolving around the migration from Ihiagwa town in the present-day Owerri West LGA of Imo State [38]. This theory, however, has two distinct accounts, both suggesting a significant migration from Ihiagwa.
The first account traces the origins of the clan to the children of the Agwa ancestral figure who had four wives who gave birth to nine children, namely: Akuma, Udi, Abadi, Mgbala, Ofeke, Obe-ama, Ukpo, Omi and Uba [39]. This narrative suggests a shared parentage with the founders of Ihiagwa and Nekede, whose brotherly relationship is described as Uzhi na Abọshi. However, it's worth noting that oral traditions and accounts from the Ihiagwa and Nekede people do not corroborate this claim.
The second theory holds that the clan was established by lineage groups from Ihiagwa following a dispute, with pioneer groups such as Akuma, Ahii, and Ezekpu leading the migration. The Akuma group is regarded as the oldest settler, while a variant of this account credits the Mkpọ́kị́rị́kpọ group with the founding of Mgbala, which later played a role in the establishment of Agwa. According to this narrative, the Akuma lineage initially migrated to Agwa and founded "Obeakuma," while the Ahii and Ezekpu-led groups established the Obe-udi (Obudi) settlement and Umuekpu, respectively. Subsequent villages within the Agwa clan are believed to have been founded by migrants from various regions who joined these primary lineage groups.
- The Amalgam Theory
This theory suggests that the Agwa Clan was formed by people from diverse areas who recognized the fertility of the land that would become Agwa. However, the theory emphasizing the unique dialect and culture of Agwa, as influenced by neighbouring groups, as evidence of its diverse origins, acknowledges the assimilation of the later groups by the foremost groups [40] It is also proposed that this diversity accounts for the large population and geographical size of the Agwa clan. Notably, Obe-ama is believed to have been founded by a group from Mgbolo (Okuku) and discovered by the Obe-akuma, while Umuomi was established by contingents from Awarra. The founding of Umukpo and Ụmụofeke is attributed to migrants from the Ohaji area, with the Mgbala group largely consisting of lineages or migrant wrestlers from EGBEMA. Furthermore, the history of the Uba village is traced to the Ubachima of Awo-Ọmamma in Oru-East. Finally, the Arọ quarters in Agwa are the last group to join the Agwa clan.
- The Autochthonous Theory
°Nfunala Account
This theory asserts that the Igbo (Agwa) people have always resided in their current location and have never migrated from elsewhere.[41] This theory, known as Nfunala in Igbo historiography,[42] is particularly prevalent among Southern Igbo groups, such as the Ezinihitte group[43]. This theory is supported by some Igbo scholars such as Elizabeth Isichei[44].
Interestingly, while other accounts primarily trace the origin of the Agwa people to Ihiagwa, this theory is countered by traditions within the Ihiagwa community that strongly suggest that the clan did not migrate from any other region[45] The Ihiagwa people hold the ọguzie afọ (traditional calendar keepers) and have developed a theory of origin that posits that Chukwu, the creator, once resided in Ihiagwa and coexisted with the people there in Ọ̀támmị́ri [46]
°The Proto-Igbo Migrations
Scholars, especially glottochronologists, have traced the first settlement of the Proto-Igbo people to the Niger-Benue Confluence area, where they coexisted with other East-Kwa groups like the Yoruboid, Edoid, and Nupoid clusters[47].
The semblances and shared genetics among the Kwa group members are pointers to their interconnectedness and historical roots.[48]
The Nri-Awka and Isuama areas became the heartland of the Igbo cultural civilization, from where the Igbo are believed to have further expanded.[49]
Idah served as a point of primary dispersal of the Igbo[50][51], while the region later known as Idu, within the Benin Kingdom, emerged as another centre of convergence and dispersal.[52] The trail of communities bearing the name Agwa, along the Niger supports the theory of a dispersion and migration from Idah, with remnants being called "Agwa".
We find "Ibagwa" in the Northern fringes of Igbo land in Enugu State and Ali-Agwa in Ika, in the Igbo-speaking region of Delta State, the Obe-Agwa communities in the Ogbaru area of Anambra State, as well as the Obeagwa village in Oguta town.
Oral traditions in Oguta, recognises Obe-Agwa, and Awa as the aboriginal inhabitants of the present day Oguta, upon the arrival of the migrants from Idu.[53]
Eastwards, there is the Agwa Clan and the existence of several UmuAgwa communities in locales such as Mbieri and Ọfọrọala. Lagwa town in Mbaise serves as yet another example. Interestingly, a theory of autochthonous origin is prevalent among these commitments.
°The West-East Early Igbo Migration
Some Scholars have opined that the migration within Igboland followed a West-East pattern. The trail of the Agwa communities downstream the Niger, and from the immediate East banks to the far East, supports a theory of a West-East migration pattern.
The Ngwa theory of origin for instance, supports this East-West migration narrative, tracing a path from Umunnoha towards the Imo River.[54] Notably, the name "Ngwa" itself bears resemblance to "Agwa," suggesting a possible cognate relationship and hinting at the remnants of a bygone era. The presence of communities such as "Umuagwa" and "Uratta" in Ngwa land, who are related to the Agwa people, further corroborates this.
Southward, the accounts of the Ikwerre shed light on the legend, Wagwa, described as the "child of Agwa" and revered as an ancestral figure within certain clans.[55] An inherent connection emerges through the Omagwa clan of the Ikwerre, formerly documented as "Agwa" and still referred to as such by the indigenous population. The founder of the Omagwa clan is believed to be a figure called "Agwa Wirie".
In Echie region, there is Odagwa, and UmuAgwa in Ọmụma, adding another layer of evidence to this narrative of migration. These fragments of history coalesce to form a compelling tableau of a possible East-West migration, where those who remained retained the appellation "Agwa".
The Agwa clan fall within the subcultural area of Southern Igboland designated "Oratta-Ikwerre", according to Darryl Forde and G.I. Jone's "The Ibo and Ibibio Speaking Peoples of South-Eastern Nigeria". The "Oratta-Ikwerre" group encompasses the Oratta, Echie, Ọmụma, and Ikwerre tribes. Although the Agwa clan is considered a part of the Oratta cluster proper, it is notably distinct[56][57].
°The Ochie Connection
Among the Etche, Ngo, the Ezelukwu of the Ọfọ-Akuru clan around Owerri, the Ochie clan around Owerri, to which Ihiagwa belongs, and Ohaji peoples, a prominent ancestral figure known as Ochie prevails in their oral traditions.
Ochie's origins are unclear, with beliefs that he initially resided at the source of the Otamiri river before embarking on a southward migration to Igbodo, from where the Echie tribe traces its origins. The very name of the Echie tribe is a variant of Ochie.
Notably, numerous communities and bodies of water within these areas bear the enduring imprint of Ochie, with many bearing the suffix "Ochie," such as the Imommiriochie, Orammiriukwaochie and the Ogeochie rivers, Nkaramochie in Ihiagwa, etc.
The significance of Ochie extends beyond mere nomenclature, permeating the very fabric of tradition and belief among the Ihiagwa people, where the influence of Ochie is palpably observed, in the origin theories surrounding the Agwa people.
Furthermore, the Mbari and Obiri systems stand out as a distinctive feature uniting these groups who all have the belief in the Ochie ancestral figure. Notably, in one of the Mbaris in Agwa, the anthropologist Herbert M. Cole documented a figure dedicated to "Ekwonochie," believed to be a deity associated with the blessing of multiple births[58].
The kinship and relationships between Agwa and the Oratta clusters serve as yet another testament to the influence of Ochie. This is particularly evidenced through the replication of community names between Oratta, Agwa and Echie. Instances such as the replication of community names between the Agwa clan, Mbieri, Obinze and the nearby Ogbaku group, as well as the Ngor-Okpala group, exemplify this, as reflected in the replication of village names such as Umuekpu, in the aforementioned clans. Similarly, the replication of the name "Umukpo" within Agwa and Echie further emphasizes the profound cultural connection.
Early History
The Agwa clan, in its early formation, comprised nine villages and was later expanded to include a tenth village with the inclusion of the Aro group. This led to the widely recognized phrase "Ọfọ ntolu jikọ̀tàrà Agwa, Aro agaa ha iri". [59] The clan became renowned for its martial prowess and combative nature, earning monikers such as "Agwa Ọ̀l'ọ̀pị̀à" and "Nde Agwa na-apa mma". The clan is also renowned for its unity and agricultural achievements.
-Colonial History===
Notes
- ^ Ozor, Nduka (23 September 2015). "Widow's Empowerment Program". Nduka Ozor.
Agwa community is located in the Eastern Part of Nigeria. Eighty-five percent of the people are predominantly Catholics. The town has a total population of about 230,000 people with two catholic parishes, one public post primary school and, three private post-primary schools.
- ^ Committee on the Judiciary, United States Congress (1969). Relief Problems in Nigeria-Biafra: Hearings Before the Subcommittee to Investigate Problems Connected with Refugees and Escapees. U.S Government Printing Office.
- ^ "Obudi agwa Imo - Nigeria Postcode".
- ^ Unagha,Amanze.Agwa in Perspective,Gifas & Associates, 2004,p.11.
- ^ Jones, G.I; Forde, Daryll (1950). 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒃𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒃𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒐 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉-𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂: Ethnographic Survey of Africa, Western Africa part III. London: Oxford University Press for the International African institute.
- ^ "Agwa at a Glance". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ Unagha, Amanze (2004). Agwa in Perspective. Lagos: Gifas & Associates. p. 11.
- ^ Ifesinachi Nwadike (10 November 2021). The Ludicrousness of "Ungodly Things" An essay on African Christians and the destruction of African heritages (Report). Kalahari Review. p. 1. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
Agwa has no river, no lake, no dam...what used to obtain in time past was Ọmi — a water preservation system that collated and retained rainwater in a large dugout hole over a period
- ^ "Agwa at a Glance". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ Unagha, Amanze (2004). Agwa in Perspective. Lagos: Gifas & Associates. p. 11.
- ^ Ifesinachi Nwadike (10 November 2021). The Ludicrousness of "Ungodly Things" An essay on African Christians and the destruction of African heritages (Report). Kalahari Review. p. 1. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
A misunderstanding between Ogbuide, the river goddess, the guardian of the lake and the then Chief Priest, led to the departure of that side of the river from my town
- ^ Unagha, Amanze (2004). Agwa in Perspective. Lagos: Gifas & Associates. p. 10.
The name Agwa has been erroneously known outside as Obudi-Agwa.This is a misconception
- ^ Eastern Nigeria (Nigeria) Agriculture Division (1962). Report 1960/1961-1963/1964 (Report). Government Printer 1962. p. 31.
- ^ Jones, G.I; Forde, Daryll (1962). 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒃𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒃𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒐 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉-𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂: Ethnographic Survey of Africa, Western Africa part III. London: Oxford University Press.
- ^ Nigeria Federal Census Office (1964). Population Census of Nigeria, 1963: Eastern Region. Lagos: Federal Census Office. p. 6.
- ^ Ekechi, Felix (1989). Tradition in Eastern Nigeria:a sociopolitical history of Owerri and its hinterland,1902-1947. Ohio: Kent State University Press. ISBN 0873383680.
- ^ Jones, G.I; Forde, Daryll (1962). 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒃𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒃𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒐 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉-𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂: Ethnographic Survey of Africa, Western Africa part III. London: Oxford University Press for the International African institute. p. 144.
- ^ "Agwa at a Glance". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ PIND (2021). Conflict Resolution in Agwa Clan in Oguta Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State by a Network of Peace Actors–A Case Study (Report). Foundation for Partnership in the Niger-Delta. p. 3.
The Agwa Clan is historically known as the ancient warriors' kingdom
- ^ Sylvester Chukwuemeka (18 June 2024). "AGWA DEVELOPMENT: A HISTORICAL APPRAISAL AND PROJECTING THE FUTURE". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
With an increased population, they started the " expansionist project." The large expanse of arable land we have today is to their credit
- ^ Igyor, Doris (19 January 2009). "Count Us Out of Proposed Njaba, Orashi States". Nigeria. Abuja. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
with their brothers and sisters in Owerri, Ihiagwa, Nekede, Irete, Uratta, etc, because they enjoy mutual culture and language affinity
- ^ Unagha, Amanze (2004). Agwa in Perspective. Lagos: Gifas & Associates. p. 12-13. ISBN 9780647988.
...her dialect contains a lot of tonal mixture... differentiated from the dialects of the other towns around it by high accent that characterizes their speech
- ^ Uzoaru, Stanley (20 February 2023). "10 communities,100 villages endorse Izunaso for Imo West senate". Owerri. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
Agwa clan is about half of the population of the entire Oguta LGA. Whereas the people of Agwa Clan comprising the three INEC Wards: (i) Mgbala/Ubah Ward (ii) Obudi/Aro Ward, and (iii) Uwaorie Ward
- ^ "Agwa at a Glance". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
She is the second most single-populated clan in Imo State after Ogwa-Mbieri ... and the highest in Oguta.
- ^ Ajayi, Rotimi; Fashagba, Joseph Yinka (2020). Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development. Springer Nature. p. 69. ISBN 9783030505097.
- ^ National Population Commission. "HISTORY OF POPULATION CENSUS IN NIGERIA". www.nationalpopulation.gov.ng/. National Population Commission. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
The 1963 census exercise despite the controversies it generated especially its rejection by Governors of Eastern and Midwestern Nigeria who went to the Supreme Court to contest the results, but lost was accepted by the Federal Government.
- ^ Nigeria Federal Census Office (1964). Population Census of Nigeria, 1963: Eastern Region. Lagos: Nigeria: Federal census Office.
- ^ Committee on the Judiciary, United States Congress (1969). Relief Problems in Nigeria-Biafra: Hearings Before the Subcommittee to Investigate Problems Connected with Refugees and Escapees... U.S Government Printing Office.
- ^ Ozor, Nduka (23 September 2015). "Widow's Empowerment Program". ndukao.blogspot.com. Nduka Ozor. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
Agwa community is located in the Eastern Part of Nigeria. Eighty-five percent of the people are predominantly Catholics. The town has a total population of about 230,000 people with two catholic parishes, one public post primary school and, three private post-primary school.
- ^ "Agwa at a Glance". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
What the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo is to the Igbo tribe, is what ACU is to the Agwa clan/The ADF is the apex forum for all Agwa sons and daughters living outside Nigeria. It is a platform for the socioeconomic advancement of the Agwa clan and membership welfare
- ^ Ozor, Nduka (23 September 2015). "Widow's Empowerment Program". ndukao.blogspot.com. Nduka Ozor. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
Agwa community is located in the Eastern Part of Nigeria. Eighty-five percent of the people are predominantly Catholics
- ^ Nnoruga, James (2023). "Examining the Sudden Religious Change in the South-East Nigeria in the Light of Horton's Theory of Religious Change". Nigerian Journal of African Studies (NJAS). 5 (3): 59. ISSN 2734-3146.
Over the last decade, the South-East Nigeria has seen ...an unprecedented number of votaries going back to the Igbo/African traditional religion.
- ^ Nwadike, Chinedu (25 February 2024). "On the Resurgence of African Traditional Religion". The Forum Newspaper. No. 13 (808 ed.). Orlu: Catholic Diocese of Orlu. p. 13.
You have heard it whispered in some corners and also witnessed a series of arguments boldly presented in public places that... it is time to return to African Traditional Religion... In this regard, a growing number of youths (a very small fraction now anyway) are distancing themselves from Christian religious practices and teachings they were nurtured in since childhood and renouncing Christianity.
- ^ Ngoka, C.D (1982). "A History of Ihiagwa". Ọha Ihiagwa Cultural Magazine. Nsukka: Ihiagwa Students Association, University of Nigeria Chapter.
- ^ Johnson, Israel Ndu (March 2020). "Omungwo In The Evolution Of Elele As The Cradle Of Ikwerre". West African Research Journal of Arts, Management, Physical and Social Sciences. 11 (1).
In Elele, there is common belief that Ele's last son was Agwa and Agwameans remainder in Ikwerre language
- ^ Emereole, Walter; Nkwocha, Anthony (December 2020). "Ndigbo and the Enigma of an Unsettled Historical Origin; a Contribution to an Unending Dialogue". Port Harcourt Journal of History & Diplomatic Studies. 7 (4): 85–101.
- ^ Njoku, Constance; Onyeanu, Lilian; Anyaele, Michael (2020). "ORAL Tradition As Source Of Sustenance Of Traditional Values: A Study Of The Legendary Mbaeri Nwaotuoke, Founder Of The People Of Mbieri Of Imo State". Nigerian Social Science Education Review. 4 (1): 36–47.
- ^ Sylvester Chukwuemeka (18 June 2024). "AGWA DEVELOPMENT: A HISTORICAL APPRAISAL AND PROJECTING THE FUTURE". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
Oral history had it that the ancestors of Agwa migrated from Ihiagwa, Owerri West, Local Government Area, Imo State
- ^ Unagha, Amanze (2004). Agwa in Perspective. Lagos: Gifas & Associates. p. 6.
Those who adhere to this version of ancestral descent provide a genealogical tree, which shows that Agwa had nine sons, representing the founders of the nine different towns of the clan
- ^ Sylvester Chukwuemeka (18 June 2024). "AGWA DEVELOPMENT: A HISTORICAL APPRAISAL AND PROJECTING THE FUTURE". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
When our ancestors settled within the territory called Agwa, they started boosting their population by bearing as many children as possible, and adopting and assimilation strangers (Ndi Isu). With an increased population, they started the expansionist project.
- ^ Iweadighi, Sabinus. "Origin or Genealogy of the Igbo people of Nigeria" (Document). Vienna: Sabinus Iweadighi. p. 2.
This hypothesis says that the Igbo people have been here – where they are located now - since the beginning of time. It argues they have remained in their present area without being immigrants since they occupied a kind of established position territorial-wise. This tends to support the views of Hartle who said that "Archaeology indicates that the Igbo were in occupation of parts of South-Eastern Nigeria by 2000–3000 BC.
- ^ Isichei, Elizabeth (1976). A History of the Igbo People. London: Macmillan press.
- ^ Emereole, Walter; Nkwocha, Anthony (December 2020). "Ndigbo and the Enigma of an Unsettled Historical Origin; a Contribution to an Unending Dialogue". Port Harcourt Journal of History & Diplomatic Studies. 7 (4): 85–101.
That is, those Igbo who believe that they were created and place where they presently found themselves in Igbo land, The Nfunala Theory is used to explain their claim
- ^ Isichei, Elizabeth (1976). A History of the Igbo People. London: Macmillan press.
The Igbo homeland is one of the most densely populated in the world, and its inhabitants – the Igbo – may have lived in their present locale from the dawn of human history.
- ^ Ngoka, C.D (1982). "A History of Ihiagwa". Ọha Ihiagwa Cultural Magazine. Nsukka: Ihiagwa Students Association, University of Nigeria Chapter.
- ^ Okor, Emezi (1975). "The Origin of Ihiagwa" (Interview). Interviewed by J.O Muruakor. Umuelem-Ihiagwa: Ihiagwa Students Association.
- ^ Weize, Constanze (2013). "Governance and Ritual Sovereignty at the Niger-Benue Confluence: A Political and Cultural History of Nigeria's Igala, Northern Yoruba and Nupoid-Speaking Peoples to 1900 C" (Document). Los Angeles: UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations. p. 72.
the period of the early divergence of the proto-Western Benue-Congo, out of which emerged the ancestral speech communities of the later Yoruba, Igala, and Nupoid-speaking peoples. These developments occurred in the region around the Niger-Benue confluence from as early as the fourth millennium BC
- ^ Nwaezeigwe, Tony Nwankwo. "The Politics Of Language And Ethnic Identity Among The West Niger Igbo Of Nigeria" (Document). Nsukka: Nwaezeigwe Tony. p. 460.
All these similarities in vocabularies tend to point to one direction.— that the Igbo, Edo, Yoruba, Igede, Igala, Idoma, Nupe, Bassa, Gwari (Gbagyi), Ogori and Igbira (Ebira) among others once lived together as one people in one common area in the remote past where they spoke one common language.
- ^ Talbolt, Percy; Mulhall, H (1962). The Physical Anthropology of Southern Nigeria. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107652026. "The Ibo…. have no tradition of migration from elsewhere and appear to have settled in the thickly populated parks of Nri-Awka and Isu-Ama area for a very long period and have spread from there…"}}
- ^ {cite news |author =eTimes News Africa|date=4 July 2020 |title=Idah: Home of Igbos, Jukuns, Yorubas and Hausas |location=Idah |quote=It is incorrect to say that Idah is occupied by Igalas, Idah which is today called headquarter of Igala land was first occupied by Igbos, Yorubas, jukun and Hausas, the Igbo part of Idah were the descents of Onoja, Onoja was the son of Eri the founder of ancient NRI kingdom in Anambra state..}}
- ^ Boston, J.S (1960). "Notes on Contact Between the Igala and the Ibo". Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria. 2 (1): 54. JSTOR 41970820. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
Yet Igala traditions explicitly state that Aboh was founded in migration of families from Idah, the Igala capital
- ^ Nwaezeigwe, Tony Nwankwo. "The Politics Of Language And Ethnic Identity Among The West Niger Igbo Of Nigeria" (Document). Nsukka: Nwaezeigwe Tony. p. 465.
are the copious traditions of migrations of waves of people out of the centre of Benin power to several places. In fact, there is no ethnic group in the Niger Delta which does not have accounts of migration from Benin
- ^ Nzimiro, Ikenna (1972). Studies in Ibo Political Systems: Chieftaincy and Politics in Four Niger States. California: University of California Press. p. 15.
- ^ "Ngwa Community UK". ngwacommunityuk.org. NgwaCommunityUK. 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
the main body of the Ngwa clan is said to have originated from a village called Umunoha in the present Owerri zone of Imo State Nigeria. Tradition related that the people of Umunoha village had taken a journey in search of new lands in which to dwell, the journey lasted many days and the group finally arrived at the banks of the great Imo-River
- ^ Johnson, Israel Ndu (March 2020). "Omungwo In The Evolution Of Elele As The Cradle Of Ikwerre". West African Research Journal of Arts, Management, Physical and Social Sciences. 11 (1).
The name of their mother was Agwa. From time immemorial till present times, there has been a common exclamatory remark in Elele, EleWagwah," meaning Ele of Wagwah, which is also used in Ọmụanwa, like "Anwa Wagwa", establishing a common origin pertaining "household" in patriarchal lineage. In Elele, there is a common belief that Ele's last son was Agwa. Agwa means remainder in the Ikwerre language. He moved from the present "Omuwhodah" to a community named after him Omu-agwa
- ^ Jones, G.I; Forde, Daryll (1950). 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒃𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒃𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒐 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉-𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂: Ethnographic Survey of Africa, Western Africa part III. London: Oxford University Press for the International African institute. p. 144.
- ^ Igyor, Doris (19 January 2009). "Count Us Out of Proposed Njaaba, Orashi States". Nigeria. Abuja. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
with their brothers and sisters in Owerri, Ihiagwa, Nekede, Irete, Uratta, etc, because they enjoy mutual culture and language affinity
- ^ Cole, Henry M.; Aniakor, Chike (1984). Igbo Arts: Community and Cosmos. Los Angeles: Museum of Cultural History, University of California. ISBN 0930741005.
- ^ Chinonso1 (2020). "The Steemalive Contest: The Root my Home Town". Steemalive. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
Agwa is today known as a clan with 9 communities ofo ntolu jikotara Agwa, Arochukwu Obudi agaha iri which are Ubah, Obudi, Mgbala, Umukpo, Umuekpu, Obeama, Umuomi, Umuofeke, Obeama and the Arochukwu which leaves across Obudi, Umukpo, Umuekpu and Umuomi post-primary school
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
References
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ignored (help)
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: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
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