Historical background
Ubuku-Uku
was founded by the union of three people who are Ezemu, Ekei and Anugwe. Ezemu was a hunter of un-equalled
marksmanship, a herbalist who was known not just in ubulu-uku and its immediate
environs but down to every corner of the one time Benin Empire. He was so
famous as a herbalist that the Oba of Benin during his time invited him to
Benin to prepare certain herbs for him. “Izo-Idayi”. This helped to prolong the
life of the Oba and so he told his successor to invite Ezemu or his descendants
to prepare the same medicine for him any time he came to the throne. Before
arriving at Ubulu –UKU however, Ezemu and his brothers first settled at
Ubulu-unor. It was from Ubulu-Unor that Ezemu left for Ubulu-Uku. “Ubulu” is
the name of a huge tree which today stands at the centre of Ubulu-uku. “UKU”
means big or huge. It was at the foot of this tree (which still exists today
but which has experienced severe burns) that Ezemu pitched tent.
was founded by the union of three people who are Ezemu, Ekei and Anugwe. Ezemu was a hunter of un-equalled
marksmanship, a herbalist who was known not just in ubulu-uku and its immediate
environs but down to every corner of the one time Benin Empire. He was so
famous as a herbalist that the Oba of Benin during his time invited him to
Benin to prepare certain herbs for him. “Izo-Idayi”. This helped to prolong the
life of the Oba and so he told his successor to invite Ezemu or his descendants
to prepare the same medicine for him any time he came to the throne. Before
arriving at Ubulu –UKU however, Ezemu and his brothers first settled at
Ubulu-unor. It was from Ubulu-Unor that Ezemu left for Ubulu-Uku. “Ubulu” is
the name of a huge tree which today stands at the centre of Ubulu-uku. “UKU”
means big or huge. It was at the foot of this tree (which still exists today
but which has experienced severe burns) that Ezemu pitched tent.
In
fact Ubulu oral tradition states categorically that the grand-parents of Ezemu
migrated from Israel and settled at Ife hence Ezemu was often referred to as
the king with long hairs – “Ezi Isi Iyomiyo”. From Ife Ezemu and his relations
migrated to Afor a village in present day Ndokwa Local Government Area of Delta
State. After a long stay in Afor, Ezemu’s parents assembled five of their
namely Obodo, Ezemu, Alibo, Aniga and Ekelie and asked them to get ready to
migrate and found other settlements.
fact Ubulu oral tradition states categorically that the grand-parents of Ezemu
migrated from Israel and settled at Ife hence Ezemu was often referred to as
the king with long hairs – “Ezi Isi Iyomiyo”. From Ife Ezemu and his relations
migrated to Afor a village in present day Ndokwa Local Government Area of Delta
State. After a long stay in Afor, Ezemu’s parents assembled five of their
namely Obodo, Ezemu, Alibo, Aniga and Ekelie and asked them to get ready to
migrate and found other settlements.
Before
they left Afor, their parents gave them a pot (Ududu) containing a mixture of
some herbs and instructed them to settle anywhere the pot fell, each facing a
different direction. While wandering from place to place they came to
Ubulu-Unor, the pot fell and they settled there as their parents had instructed
them. It was from Ubulu-Unor that Ezemu went to found Ubulu-Uku.
they left Afor, their parents gave them a pot (Ududu) containing a mixture of
some herbs and instructed them to settle anywhere the pot fell, each facing a
different direction. While wandering from place to place they came to
Ubulu-Unor, the pot fell and they settled there as their parents had instructed
them. It was from Ubulu-Unor that Ezemu went to found Ubulu-Uku.
The
first man to arrive at Ubulu Uku is Ezemu. Ezemu had his origins from Nri. One
day while Ezemu was under the “Ubulu” tree he sighted smoke at a distance. He
became curious and moved towards the direction from where the smoke was rising
to find out its source. On getting to the spot called Ani-Ekei which now forms
part of Udo Village, he met a man called Ekei, a black –smith. He was the
leader of a few settlers there.
first man to arrive at Ubulu Uku is Ezemu. Ezemu had his origins from Nri. One
day while Ezemu was under the “Ubulu” tree he sighted smoke at a distance. He
became curious and moved towards the direction from where the smoke was rising
to find out its source. On getting to the spot called Ani-Ekei which now forms
part of Udo Village, he met a man called Ekei, a black –smith. He was the
leader of a few settlers there.
Just
as Ezemu discovered Ekei and his people, he sighted some smoke rising from a
spot in the bush around the present Abuedo village. Like the brave hunter that
he was, he moved to find out the source of the smoke. On reaching the spot he
saw an Igbo man called Anugwe working in his large farm. The exchanged
greetings and introduced themselves.
as Ezemu discovered Ekei and his people, he sighted some smoke rising from a
spot in the bush around the present Abuedo village. Like the brave hunter that
he was, he moved to find out the source of the smoke. On reaching the spot he
saw an Igbo man called Anugwe working in his large farm. The exchanged
greetings and introduced themselves.
When
Ezemu saw that he had surrounded himself with enough settlers he went up to
Ekei and told him that it was necessary for the three groups of settlers to
come together and that one of the three leaders should be made their king. After
listening to Ezemu, Ekei told him that he was already getting old and was not
interested in being the king of Ubulu-Uku. Ezemu went up to Anugwe and told him
of his proposals. Anugwe told Ezemu also that he was not interested in being a
king. He asked Ezemu to become the king if he so wished. Thus Ezemu was
accorded recognition by all the settlers in Ubulu-uku. Then Ezemu went to
Ubulu-unor and told Obodo that he was to be coronated formally. Obodo
congratulated him and shaved his bushy hair in order to make him look neat on
the coronation day. When Ezemu returned to Ubulu-uku he was crowned the king of
Ubulu-uku with a lot of pomp and pageantry. The
present king of Ubulu-Uku is Obi Edward Akaeze
Ofulue III
Ezemu saw that he had surrounded himself with enough settlers he went up to
Ekei and told him that it was necessary for the three groups of settlers to
come together and that one of the three leaders should be made their king. After
listening to Ezemu, Ekei told him that he was already getting old and was not
interested in being the king of Ubulu-Uku. Ezemu went up to Anugwe and told him
of his proposals. Anugwe told Ezemu also that he was not interested in being a
king. He asked Ezemu to become the king if he so wished. Thus Ezemu was
accorded recognition by all the settlers in Ubulu-uku. Then Ezemu went to
Ubulu-unor and told Obodo that he was to be coronated formally. Obodo
congratulated him and shaved his bushy hair in order to make him look neat on
the coronation day. When Ezemu returned to Ubulu-uku he was crowned the king of
Ubulu-uku with a lot of pomp and pageantry. The
present king of Ubulu-Uku is Obi Edward Akaeze
Ofulue III
Location and demographics
Ubuluku-Uku is situated on longitude 6.42°E and latitude 6.25°N. It is located in Aniocha South Local
Government Area of Delta State. According to Census 2006,
Ubulu-Uku has a population of 10, 416 people consisting of adults and children.
Government Area of Delta State. According to Census 2006,
Ubulu-Uku has a population of 10, 416 people consisting of adults and children.
Ubulu-uku
is situated some thirty kilometres (30 km) west of the River Niger in
Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State. Eastwards it shares a
boundary with Ogwashi-Uku, westwards with Obior; northwards with Issele-Uku and
southwards with Ubulu-Unor. Ubulu Uku is sited in an undulating environment
with its Enugu-Iyi and Abuedo end at the top of a long stretch of hills, while
its centre, fanning out from the Ubulu tree, to Isho, Akwu, Ogbeofu,
Idumu-Osume etc. are located in a valley. Rolling down these hills are rivers
which run through the entire clan to the sea through other neighbouring clans.
Iyi Agor (River Agor) stands out prominently among these.
is situated some thirty kilometres (30 km) west of the River Niger in
Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State. Eastwards it shares a
boundary with Ogwashi-Uku, westwards with Obior; northwards with Issele-Uku and
southwards with Ubulu-Unor. Ubulu Uku is sited in an undulating environment
with its Enugu-Iyi and Abuedo end at the top of a long stretch of hills, while
its centre, fanning out from the Ubulu tree, to Isho, Akwu, Ogbeofu,
Idumu-Osume etc. are located in a valley. Rolling down these hills are rivers
which run through the entire clan to the sea through other neighbouring clans.
Iyi Agor (River Agor) stands out prominently among these.
Ubulu-Uku
is the largest and most populated town in Aniocha Local Government Area.
Topographically it is a hilly town that could be easily compared to Agbor in
Delta State, Auchi in Edo State and Ibadan in Oyo State. This hilly nature of
the town accounts for the serious problem of erosion which it faces. The
Problem has made some of the streets impassable especially the street leading
from the major road to Ogbeofu.
is the largest and most populated town in Aniocha Local Government Area.
Topographically it is a hilly town that could be easily compared to Agbor in
Delta State, Auchi in Edo State and Ibadan in Oyo State. This hilly nature of
the town accounts for the serious problem of erosion which it faces. The
Problem has made some of the streets impassable especially the street leading
from the major road to Ogbeofu.
On the
other hand when one looks at the town from any of the hilly spots especially at
night, one sees a beautiful scenery that could be said to be one of the best
that nature has bestowed on this part of the earth. The town has one major
stream called Iyi-Agor which was the main source of water supply before the
advent of pipe-borne water. A few other minor streams like Nkpitime-Isho,
Iyi-Nta, Iyi-Eko and Iyi-Ozala also serve people in various parts of the town.
other hand when one looks at the town from any of the hilly spots especially at
night, one sees a beautiful scenery that could be said to be one of the best
that nature has bestowed on this part of the earth. The town has one major
stream called Iyi-Agor which was the main source of water supply before the
advent of pipe-borne water. A few other minor streams like Nkpitime-Isho,
Iyi-Nta, Iyi-Eko and Iyi-Ozala also serve people in various parts of the town.
Three major
roads run through the town. One runs from Asaba via Ibusa to ogwashi-uku then
through Ubulu-uku to Obior and Umunede. The second road branches out from
Ubulu-uku to Umunede road at Idumu-Osume village via Akwu village and then to
Issele-Uku. The third road branches out from Ubulu-Uku to Umunede road at the
post office junction and runs through Akpama, Agbonta-Udogwu and Isho village
to Ubulu-Unor.
roads run through the town. One runs from Asaba via Ibusa to ogwashi-uku then
through Ubulu-uku to Obior and Umunede. The second road branches out from
Ubulu-uku to Umunede road at Idumu-Osume village via Akwu village and then to
Issele-Uku. The third road branches out from Ubulu-Uku to Umunede road at the
post office junction and runs through Akpama, Agbonta-Udogwu and Isho village
to Ubulu-Unor.
Custom and culture
Language
The
language spoken by the people of Ubulu-Uku is the Delta Igbo language. English language is also used in the community
especially to communicate with non-indigenes in the community.
language spoken by the people of Ubulu-Uku is the Delta Igbo language. English language is also used in the community
especially to communicate with non-indigenes in the community.
Worships and beliefs
In the
earlier year, the people of Ubulu-Uku practiced African Traditional Religion
but currently majority of the people of Ubulu-Uku are Christians while there
are few of them still practice the traditional religion.
earlier year, the people of Ubulu-Uku practiced African Traditional Religion
but currently majority of the people of Ubulu-Uku are Christians while there
are few of them still practice the traditional religion.
Festivals
The festival celebrated by the people of Ubulu-Uku is the Iwu festival.
This is one of the most exciting festivals in Aniocha South Local Government Area
and even in Delta State as a whole and this attract sons and daughters of
Ubulu-Uku from different parts of the country to grace the festival which is
associated with a lot of funfare and merriment.
This is one of the most exciting festivals in Aniocha South Local Government Area
and even in Delta State as a whole and this attract sons and daughters of
Ubulu-Uku from different parts of the country to grace the festival which is
associated with a lot of funfare and merriment.
Food
Yams were the major food
consumed by Ubulu-Uku people while garri was regarded as inferior and was
shunned by the people of Ubulu-Uku. Standard diet consists of pounded yam taken
with egusi/vegetable or okro soup adorned with bush meat, beef or chicken.
consumed by Ubulu-Uku people while garri was regarded as inferior and was
shunned by the people of Ubulu-Uku. Standard diet consists of pounded yam taken
with egusi/vegetable or okro soup adorned with bush meat, beef or chicken.
Housing
Until recently the mode
of building our houses and the type of buildings in Ubulu-Uku were mud houses
built in three stages, by communal efforts, before roofing with thatches. These
thatch houses have almost disappeared for modern houses in Ubulu-Uku community
giving way to brick houses with corrugated roof houses.
of building our houses and the type of buildings in Ubulu-Uku were mud houses
built in three stages, by communal efforts, before roofing with thatches. These
thatch houses have almost disappeared for modern houses in Ubulu-Uku community
giving way to brick houses with corrugated roof houses.
Occupation
Ubulu-Uku
men are farmers, weavers, hunters, and palm wine tappers. As for Ubulu-uku
women they are expert weavers. With their hand looms they produce materials
that are highly treasured by both foreign and Nigerian visitors to the town.
men are farmers, weavers, hunters, and palm wine tappers. As for Ubulu-uku
women they are expert weavers. With their hand looms they produce materials
that are highly treasured by both foreign and Nigerian visitors to the town.
Dance
The popular dance of the
people of Ubulu-Uku is the Ukpukpe dance which is referred
to as the traditional war dance of the Ubulu-Uku people. These are organized
group of people by putting on a uniformed costume with bead on their head,
waist, hands and legs. The dance requires physical exertion and it is very
interesting.
people of Ubulu-Uku is the Ukpukpe dance which is referred
to as the traditional war dance of the Ubulu-Uku people. These are organized
group of people by putting on a uniformed costume with bead on their head,
waist, hands and legs. The dance requires physical exertion and it is very
interesting.
Taboos
Ubulu-Uku
people forbid the marriage to a close relative or any form of incest. Adultery
is also another taboo especially among women.
people forbid the marriage to a close relative or any form of incest. Adultery
is also another taboo especially among women.
Health status of the community
Factors affecting health
1. Son
Preference: Greater attention is paid
to the male child with the belief that they are more important as compared to
the female child. 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. They believed that
the son is the one to carry on with the linage of the father when he dies. This
practice denies the girl child good health, education, recreation, economic
opportunity and the right to choose her partner, violating her rights.
Preference: Greater attention is paid
to the male child with the belief that they are more important as compared to
the female child. 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. They believed that
the son is the one to carry on with the linage of the father when he dies. This
practice denies the girl child good health, education, recreation, economic
opportunity and the right to choose her partner, violating her rights.
2.
Early marriage: The prevalence of early marriage in the
community is a great challenge as girls due to unplanned pregnancy. Another serious problem in which some girls are
given away for marriage by their parents to rich suitors.
Early marriage: The prevalence of early marriage in the
community is a great challenge as girls due to unplanned pregnancy. Another serious problem in which some girls are
given away for marriage by their parents to rich suitors.
3. Food taboos:
The primitive practice of not giving some several cheap, proteinous
food and meat to children. Especially it is believed children are not expected
to eat “big” meat and eggs because it is believed that this will indulge them
and they may start to steal.
The primitive practice of not giving some several cheap, proteinous
food and meat to children. Especially it is believed children are not expected
to eat “big” meat and eggs because it is believed that this will indulge them
and they may start to steal.
4.
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.
5. 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.
Resources in the Community used to solve the
problem
problem
1.) Social
and infrastructural development: Ubulu-Uku
has a
primary health facility along side with several health care facilities owned by
government and private individuals. Also the presence of traditional birth
attendance that help in providing help to pregnant women during delivery. The rapid increase in health-care delivery services,
both public and private, has contributed immensely in lowering infant mortality
and death rates generally in Ubulu-Uku.
and infrastructural development: Ubulu-Uku
has a
primary health facility along side with several health care facilities owned by
government and private individuals. Also the presence of traditional birth
attendance that help in providing help to pregnant women during delivery. The rapid increase in health-care delivery services,
both public and private, has contributed immensely in lowering infant mortality
and death rates generally in Ubulu-Uku.
2.) Rich
agricultural land: As a result of the presence of fertile soil in
Ubulu-Uku, there is availability of food from the farm. They also engage in
trade of food crops for cash to meet other basic household needs. The present
of good agricultural land make necessary food available in the community and
helps in solving the problems of malnutrition.
agricultural land: As a result of the presence of fertile soil in
Ubulu-Uku, there is availability of food from the farm. They also engage in
trade of food crops for cash to meet other basic household needs. The present
of good agricultural land make necessary food available in the community and
helps in solving the problems of malnutrition.
3.) Educational
infrastructure: The people of Ubulu-Uku know the value of
education and encourage their young to attend school. The people have been
known to be very passionate about location of educational infrastructure in the
communities, believing it is a mark of progress. Schools serve as a major means
of educating the people in the community on issue bothered on lack of adequate
knowledge such malnutrition and general awareness of this people and at the
same time improves the health status of the people. There are numerous public
and private schools in Ubulu-Uku.
infrastructure: The people of Ubulu-Uku know the value of
education and encourage their young to attend school. The people have been
known to be very passionate about location of educational infrastructure in the
communities, believing it is a mark of progress. Schools serve as a major means
of educating the people in the community on issue bothered on lack of adequate
knowledge such malnutrition and general awareness of this people and at the
same time improves the health status of the people. There are numerous public
and private schools in Ubulu-Uku.
4.) Industrial
development: Ubulu-Uku
has plenty of undeveloped mineral resources like coal, crude oil, lignite etc.
The community is also known for the production of yam, cassava, and other
staple foods and this has greatly contributed to the development of the
community.
development: Ubulu-Uku
has plenty of undeveloped mineral resources like coal, crude oil, lignite etc.
The community is also known for the production of yam, cassava, and other
staple foods and this has greatly contributed to the development of the
community.
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.) Development
in commerce: The
people of Ubulu-Uku are dynamic people which is adequately reflected in the
field of trading and commerce. The town its environs remains a
major producer of a variety of major important food-stuff such as yams, cassava
and garri.
in commerce: The
people of Ubulu-Uku are dynamic people which is adequately reflected in the
field of trading and commerce. The town its environs remains a
major producer of a variety of major important food-stuff such as yams, cassava
and garri.
Change the bad habits of terming “Delta lgbo”… There’s nothing as Delta lgbo.
…”the people speak light tonal dialect slightly deviate of Igbo language”. Simple