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
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.
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.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Resources
in the Community used to Solve the Problem
in the Community used to Solve the 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.
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.
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.
