Historical background
A chronological history of early settlements in
Ogwashi-Uku can authoritatively portray the following facts that the Ikelike
people from the Bini kingdom were the first to settle in Ogwashi-Uku (see Ben
Nwabua, Ogwash-uku Kingdom, 1000 Years of Traditional Democracy and Cultural
Life, 950-1914).
Ogwashi-Uku can authoritatively portray the following facts that the Ikelike
people from the Bini kingdom were the first to settle in Ogwashi-Uku (see Ben
Nwabua, Ogwash-uku Kingdom, 1000 Years of Traditional Democracy and Cultural
Life, 950-1914).
Both traditional and empirical sources gives credence
that Ikelike people were the first set of immigrants to settle in the present
Ogwashi-Uku as against the notion that Adaigbo who purportedly came from Nri in
present Anambra State today is the founder of Ogwashi-Uku. So far, no counter
claim has been made on this. According to Ogwashi-Uku intelligence report by
Mr. J.E Hull, the then Assistant District Officer dated on the 9th of April
1936, the Ikelike people from all indications migrated from Benin to settle
where they are found themselves today, because of a reign of wanton persecution
of subjects by the then Benin Monarch, Oba Eweka II. The story further goes
that at the head was Odigie Ikelike with his younger brother Ado who later
founded Adonta, a relatively small village close to Azungwu in Ogwashi-uku
today. The Ikelike migrants were said to be politically averse and could not,
therefore evolve an orderly method of governance even though there were small
in number. Jull`s report further went on to point out that because of such
indisposition towards an effective means of governing themselves, it cost them
the political leadership they were first to settle in. Rather, Adaigbo, the
prince from Nri later came, controlled the situation and imposed leadership
based on Igbo customs and tradition on them and what later became Ogwshi-Uku
kingdom. Adaigbo’s imposed of republican system, however, later gave way to the
hereditary system of the Binis.
that Ikelike people were the first set of immigrants to settle in the present
Ogwashi-Uku as against the notion that Adaigbo who purportedly came from Nri in
present Anambra State today is the founder of Ogwashi-Uku. So far, no counter
claim has been made on this. According to Ogwashi-Uku intelligence report by
Mr. J.E Hull, the then Assistant District Officer dated on the 9th of April
1936, the Ikelike people from all indications migrated from Benin to settle
where they are found themselves today, because of a reign of wanton persecution
of subjects by the then Benin Monarch, Oba Eweka II. The story further goes
that at the head was Odigie Ikelike with his younger brother Ado who later
founded Adonta, a relatively small village close to Azungwu in Ogwashi-uku
today. The Ikelike migrants were said to be politically averse and could not,
therefore evolve an orderly method of governance even though there were small
in number. Jull`s report further went on to point out that because of such
indisposition towards an effective means of governing themselves, it cost them
the political leadership they were first to settle in. Rather, Adaigbo, the
prince from Nri later came, controlled the situation and imposed leadership
based on Igbo customs and tradition on them and what later became Ogwshi-Uku
kingdom. Adaigbo’s imposed of republican system, however, later gave way to the
hereditary system of the Binis.
There are nine federating units that make up what is
today know as Ogwashi-uku kingdom sometimes refers as Ogwashi Ebo Iteneni.
These nine federating units are: (1) Ikelike (2) Azungwu (3) Umudei (4) Ogbe
Ubu (5) Ogbe Aho/Ogbe Ani (6) Agidiase (7) Agidiahe (8) Ogbe Umu Okwuni and (9)
Ogbe Ihago. This arrangement was and still is for the traditional governance in
the kingdom and each of these units could, without doubt trace their origin to
Benin or Eastern Ibo. For instance, Umu Ochele people in Ogwashi-Uku came from
Benin during the reign of Oba Ovonramwen and so is the people of Umu Olu
Ishiekpe Ogbe Ihago and others too numerous to mention.
today know as Ogwashi-uku kingdom sometimes refers as Ogwashi Ebo Iteneni.
These nine federating units are: (1) Ikelike (2) Azungwu (3) Umudei (4) Ogbe
Ubu (5) Ogbe Aho/Ogbe Ani (6) Agidiase (7) Agidiahe (8) Ogbe Umu Okwuni and (9)
Ogbe Ihago. This arrangement was and still is for the traditional governance in
the kingdom and each of these units could, without doubt trace their origin to
Benin or Eastern Ibo. For instance, Umu Ochele people in Ogwashi-Uku came from
Benin during the reign of Oba Ovonramwen and so is the people of Umu Olu
Ishiekpe Ogbe Ihago and others too numerous to mention.
The Bini people became disenchanted with all the Kings
that ruled the empire under the Ogiso dynasty and by 1121 A.D, Oba Ogiame had
sent emissary to OGWANHE (Nshi Adaigbo) to ascertain the strength of the
emerging entity. The emissary was said to have met Adaigbo, the Prince of Nri
and they interpreted Ogwanhe as that of Bini.
Filled with joy that he met a good friend indeed, Adigbo commended the
disposition of Oba`s emissary who went further adding Uku which in Bini
language means “great” The subsequent interpretation of this therefore means a
place of greatness. And since the great meet, the place came to be known as
Ogwanhe Uku while the Igbo pronunciation has it as Ogwashi-Ukwu which is also
called Ogwanri Adaigbo or Ogwashi Adaigbo.
that ruled the empire under the Ogiso dynasty and by 1121 A.D, Oba Ogiame had
sent emissary to OGWANHE (Nshi Adaigbo) to ascertain the strength of the
emerging entity. The emissary was said to have met Adaigbo, the Prince of Nri
and they interpreted Ogwanhe as that of Bini.
Filled with joy that he met a good friend indeed, Adigbo commended the
disposition of Oba`s emissary who went further adding Uku which in Bini
language means “great” The subsequent interpretation of this therefore means a
place of greatness. And since the great meet, the place came to be known as
Ogwanhe Uku while the Igbo pronunciation has it as Ogwashi-Ukwu which is also
called Ogwanri Adaigbo or Ogwashi Adaigbo.
Traditional source gives credence to the Ikelike
Aborigines as having christened the entity Ogwanhe after the Bini tradition of
building a small house known as OGWA at the front yard of a natural ruler. In
Bini tradition, an Ogwa means royal palace or a royal people of destiny and to
some extent; this historical claim could be justified since the culture of
building an Ogwa in Bini kingdom is still popular even to the present day.
Ogwashi-uku share some acceptable relationship with present day Igbo bi nuzo,
igbuzo or Ibusa which is entirely based on the same sickening stories of
Adaigbo, the Prince of Nri who defiled one of the fathers wives and was sent
out with his brother Ogboli and some slaves. Around 1091 A.D on this journey to
nowhere, Ogboli pot was said to have fallen and his brother Adaigbo had
instructed him to settle there.
Aborigines as having christened the entity Ogwanhe after the Bini tradition of
building a small house known as OGWA at the front yard of a natural ruler. In
Bini tradition, an Ogwa means royal palace or a royal people of destiny and to
some extent; this historical claim could be justified since the culture of
building an Ogwa in Bini kingdom is still popular even to the present day.
Ogwashi-uku share some acceptable relationship with present day Igbo bi nuzo,
igbuzo or Ibusa which is entirely based on the same sickening stories of
Adaigbo, the Prince of Nri who defiled one of the fathers wives and was sent
out with his brother Ogboli and some slaves. Around 1091 A.D on this journey to
nowhere, Ogboli pot was said to have fallen and his brother Adaigbo had
instructed him to settle there.
Demographical location
Ogwahi-Uku is situated on longitude 6.5244°E and
latitude 6.1831°N. It is an Igbo-speaking town in Southern Nigeria in Delta State, west of the state
capital, Asaba. It is the headquarters
for the local government area, Aniocha South. The population of
Ogwashi-Uku, Nigeria is 26,137 according to Census 2006. Neighbouring communities to Ogwashi-uku are Issele-Uku, Ibusa, Ubulu-Uku and Obiaruku.
latitude 6.1831°N. It is an Igbo-speaking town in Southern Nigeria in Delta State, west of the state
capital, Asaba. It is the headquarters
for the local government area, Aniocha South. The population of
Ogwashi-Uku, Nigeria is 26,137 according to Census 2006. Neighbouring communities to Ogwashi-uku are Issele-Uku, Ibusa, Ubulu-Uku and Obiaruku.
Ogwashi-uku
is ruled by the Obi and the current Obi of Ogwashi–Uku is
Eze Chukwuka Okonjo, who is a recognized, gazetted traditional ruler in Nigeria. In the community, we have Delta State Polytechnic and
several secondary and primary schools and hospitals.
is ruled by the Obi and the current Obi of Ogwashi–Uku is
Eze Chukwuka Okonjo, who is a recognized, gazetted traditional ruler in Nigeria. In the community, we have Delta State Polytechnic and
several secondary and primary schools and hospitals.
Ogwashi-Uku
lies within the tropical rain forest area of the Niger-delta. The region
experiences high rainfall and high humidity most of the year. The climate is
equatorial and is marked by two distinct seasons. The Dry and Rainy seasons.
The Dry season lasts from about November to April and is significantly marked
by the cool “harmarttan” dusty haze from the north-east winds. The
Rainy season spans May to October with a brief dry spell in August.
lies within the tropical rain forest area of the Niger-delta. The region
experiences high rainfall and high humidity most of the year. The climate is
equatorial and is marked by two distinct seasons. The Dry and Rainy seasons.
The Dry season lasts from about November to April and is significantly marked
by the cool “harmarttan” dusty haze from the north-east winds. The
Rainy season spans May to October with a brief dry spell in August.
Custom and culture
Language
The
people of Ogwashi-Uku speak Enuani Language otherwise known and referred to as
Delta Igbo. Other Nigerian languages are spoken by immigrants in the community
from different parts of the country which include Hausa, Yoruba, Ukwuani,
Isokos, etc. As a result of the presence of different ethnic groups in the
community, to ensure effective communication, English is also used as a means
of communication especially the Pidgin English.
people of Ogwashi-Uku speak Enuani Language otherwise known and referred to as
Delta Igbo. Other Nigerian languages are spoken by immigrants in the community
from different parts of the country which include Hausa, Yoruba, Ukwuani,
Isokos, etc. As a result of the presence of different ethnic groups in the
community, to ensure effective communication, English is also used as a means
of communication especially the Pidgin English.
Worships and Beliefs
The
people of Ogwashi-Uku are predominantly Christian especially Anglican and Roman
Catholic, there are also large presence of other dominations. There are also a few
who are African Traditional Religion worshippers.
people of Ogwashi-Uku are predominantly Christian especially Anglican and Roman
Catholic, there are also large presence of other dominations. There are also a few
who are African Traditional Religion worshippers.
Festivals
The
festivals of the people of Ogwashi-uku are Eje Alekwu is a
ritual festival with a large turnout of masquerades; the New Yam Festival
which is the festival to welcome the arrival of the harvest period of yam, the
Ine to mark the clearing of farmlands.
Festival and the Iwu Festival which is a wrestling match festival.
festivals of the people of Ogwashi-uku are Eje Alekwu is a
ritual festival with a large turnout of masquerades; the New Yam Festival
which is the festival to welcome the arrival of the harvest period of yam, the
Ine to mark the clearing of farmlands.
Festival and the Iwu Festival which is a wrestling match festival.
Food
The
major food of the people of Ogwashi-uku is pounded yam and with melon soup. The
people also eat garri and other cassava derivative foods, rice and several
other staple foods in Nigeria
major food of the people of Ogwashi-uku is pounded yam and with melon soup. The
people also eat garri and other cassava derivative foods, rice and several
other staple foods in Nigeria
Dressing
Men wear white shirts upon wrapper, a red cap with long feathers to
match. And the women wear different colours and moods. Their head ties, high on
their heads and widely spread like the rump of a turkey. They wore beads as the
Bini women from the ancient city of Benin Kingdom.
match. And the women wear different colours and moods. Their head ties, high on
their heads and widely spread like the rump of a turkey. They wore beads as the
Bini women from the ancient city of Benin Kingdom.
Taboos
The people
of Ogwashi-Uku forbid the eating of Eyi (Rabbit). In fact this is not brought
to the community for the purpose of preparing food.
of Ogwashi-Uku forbid the eating of Eyi (Rabbit). In fact this is not brought
to the community for the purpose of preparing food.
Factors affecting health in the community
Factors affecting Health
1. Food taboos:
Many cheap, proteinous food and meat are forbidden for
children, pregnant women and lactating mothers as a result of food taboos.
Specifically, children are not expected to eat “big” meat or egg because it is
believed that this will indulge them and they may start to steal.
Many cheap, proteinous food and meat are forbidden for
children, pregnant women and lactating mothers as a result of food taboos.
Specifically, children are not expected to eat “big” meat or egg because it is
believed that this will indulge them and they may start to steal.
2. Malnutrition:
This is mainly associated with children due to lack of awareness of their
parents on what constitute a balanced weaning diet, lack of knowledge and skill
about the best use of locally available foods, making frequent necessary and
unnecessary journey and leaving the child behind or stopping breastfeeding
before the child is at least year of age.
This is mainly associated with children due to lack of awareness of their
parents on what constitute a balanced weaning diet, lack of knowledge and skill
about the best use of locally available foods, making frequent necessary and
unnecessary journey and leaving the child behind or stopping breastfeeding
before the child is at least year of age.
3. Son preference:
This form of discrimination and one which has far-reaching implications for
women is the preference accorded to the boy child over the girl child. This
practice denies the girl child good health, education, recreation, economic
opportunity and the right to choose her partner, violating her rights.
This form of discrimination and one which has far-reaching implications for
women is the preference accorded to the boy child over the girl child. This
practice denies the girl child good health, education, recreation, economic
opportunity and the right to choose her partner, violating her rights.
4.
Early marriage: Early marriage is another serious problem in which some girls are given
away for marriage at the age of 11, 12 or 13, after which they must start
producing children. The principal reasons for this practice are the girls’
virginity and the bride-price. Young girls are less likely to have had sexual
contact and thus are believed to be virgins upon marriage; this condition
raises the family status as well as the dowry to be paid by the husband. In
some cases, virginity is verified by female relatives before the marriage.
Early marriage: Early marriage is another serious problem in which some girls are given
away for marriage at the age of 11, 12 or 13, after which they must start
producing children. The principal reasons for this practice are the girls’
virginity and the bride-price. Young girls are less likely to have had sexual
contact and thus are believed to be virgins upon marriage; this condition
raises the family status as well as the dowry to be paid by the husband. In
some cases, virginity is verified by female relatives before the marriage.
5.
Violence against women: So many women suffer from domestic violence from
their husbands and relatives, inflicting in them several injuries.
Violence against women: So many women suffer from domestic violence from
their husbands and relatives, inflicting in them several injuries.
Resources in the community used to solve the
problem
problem
1.) Rich
agricultural land: The present of good agricultural land make
necessary food available in the community and helps in solving the problems of
malnutrition.
agricultural land: The present of good agricultural land make
necessary food available in the community and helps in solving the problems of
malnutrition.
2.) Industrial
development: Ogwashi-Uku
kingdom has abundant raw materials for
industries, large resources of manpower and big commercial center enjoying
excellent location. For example, she was self sufficient in textiles,
soap-making, cosmetics, etc. This greatly contributes to the socioeconomic
status of the people in the community.
development: Ogwashi-Uku
kingdom has abundant raw materials for
industries, large resources of manpower and big commercial center enjoying
excellent location. For example, she was self sufficient in textiles,
soap-making, cosmetics, etc. This greatly contributes to the socioeconomic
status of the people in the community.
3.) Development
in commerce: The
history of Ogwashi-Uku people as a dynamic people is most adequately reflected in
the field of trading and commerce. The
kingdom was a commercial center long before Nigeria came into being. Ogwashi-Uku market also
became famous till this day because the town supplies abundant and cheap
food-stuff all the year round. Ogwashi-Uku
and its environs remains a major producer of a variety of major important
food-stuff such as yams, cassava, garri melon, palm oil and tomatoes.
in commerce: The
history of Ogwashi-Uku people as a dynamic people is most adequately reflected in
the field of trading and commerce. The
kingdom was a commercial center long before Nigeria came into being. Ogwashi-Uku market also
became famous till this day because the town supplies abundant and cheap
food-stuff all the year round. Ogwashi-Uku
and its environs remains a major producer of a variety of major important
food-stuff such as yams, cassava, garri melon, palm oil and tomatoes.
4.) Schools:
Schools
serve as a major means of educating the people in the community on issue
bothered by lack of adequate knowledge, malnutrition and general awareness of
this people and at the same time improves the health status of the people.
Schools
serve as a major means of educating the people in the community on issue
bothered by lack of adequate knowledge, malnutrition and general awareness of
this people and at the same time improves the health status of the people.
5.) Law enforcement
agents: The community leaders
such as the Obi, Council of Chiefs,
etc. help in the enforcement of laws and ensure that the rights of people are
not violated and at the same time ensure that the people in the community enjoy
good health.
agents: The community leaders
such as the Obi, Council of Chiefs,
etc. help in the enforcement of laws and ensure that the rights of people are
not violated and at the same time ensure that the people in the community enjoy
good health.
6.)
Social and infrastructural development: The revolution in infrastructure which started after
the civil war created the enabling environment which makes Ogwashi a pull
center. For example, as a result of
improvement in transportation, Ogwashi-Uku market continues to sustain the
supply and the distribution of abundant food-stuff at affordable prices to all
parts of Nigeria. The rapid increase in
health-care delivery services, both public and private, has contributed
immensely in lowering infant mortality and death rates generally in Ogwashi-Uku.
Social and infrastructural development: The revolution in infrastructure which started after
the civil war created the enabling environment which makes Ogwashi a pull
center. For example, as a result of
improvement in transportation, Ogwashi-Uku market continues to sustain the
supply and the distribution of abundant food-stuff at affordable prices to all
parts of Nigeria. The rapid increase in
health-care delivery services, both public and private, has contributed
immensely in lowering infant mortality and death rates generally in Ogwashi-Uku.