Everything You Need to Know About Abagana!
Our goal with this series is to help Igbo descents worldwide reconnect with their roots and gain a clearer understanding of who they are.
Do you know the name of your town and village? What kindred your family belongs to, both maternally and paternally? How did your surname come to be, and what stories shape your cultural identity?
We hope this series inspires you to explore, document, and preserve your history for generations to come. Enjoy!
Abagana Town Overview
Abagana is an Igbo community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares borders with Nimo, Eziowelle, Abba, Ukpo, Enugwu-Ukwu, Umunnachi, and Ifitedunu.
Main Villages in Abagana
Abagana is divided into nine major villages. It is popularly known as Abagana Ebo-Teghete.
The villages are:
Adagbe Abagana Okwui
Adagbe Orofia Chime
Adagbe Umudunu Dunu
Akpu Abagana Ogidi
Amaenye Ene
Enuora Orofia Dunge
Enuora Umudunu Okeofia
Uru Dejili
Uru Okpala
Major Deities
Aroh Abagana (the most revered deity in Abagana)
Ekwuluomu (the feminine counterpart of Aroh)
Ogwugwu Umudunu
Icheke-Oku
Anyafunuzo Amaenye
Ogwugwu Amaenye
Odema
Ogwugwu Omeluda
Ngene Ogbuefi
Iyi-Azi
Rivers and Streams
Mmiri Ochichi
Mmiri Onyeocha
Mmiri Nkitaku
Mmiri Oshoku
Mmiri Nnengene
Mmiri Onyiliagu
Masquerades
Ize Abagana
Ijele
Izaga
Ikeudo Akataka
Ajibussu
Nwikpo
Adamma
Atumma
Enyinnunu
Main Market Day
The main market day in Abagana is Oye (Orie). The popular market called Oye-Agu Abagana is very busy on this day. Burial ceremonies are not allowed on Orie market day.
Major Festivals
Iri-Ede Aroh Abagana: This festival honors the most revered deity in Abagana, Aroh. It is usually held on the 28th or 29th of December every year.
Ilo-Mmuo Abagana: This is the New Yam Festival in Abagana. It is held on Uka Nkwo in August (that is, the Nkwo day that falls on a Sunday in August).
Alom Chi: This is a festival mainly performed by women in Abagana. The women are celebrated by their children and other children in the town. It is usually held just before Easter in April every year.
Communal Taboos
Pregnancies outside of marriage are forbidden. In such cases, the family of the woman and the man responsible must pay fines and perform rituals at the shrine of Aja-Ana Abagana.
Killing of Edi (African Civet)
Killing of Mbe (tortoise)
Harming, killing, or eating Eke (python)
Incest
Murder
Founder and History
According to oral history, the people of Abagana trace their roots to a man called Agana-Diese. The name Abagana is said to be a British mispronunciation of Ebe-Agana, which means “Agana’s abode.” Agana-Diese had many sons, and their descendants form most of the population of Abagana.
There were also later migrant groups. One group was led by a man called Chime from Ohafia Adda in Bende (present-day Abia State). Chime and his people were welcomed and later became part of Abagana through intermarriage. Another settler was Dunu, a hunter from Dunukofia. He married one of Agana’s granddaughters and was given land to settle with his children in a part of Abagana.
Major Occupations
Farming
Automobile repairs
Transportation
Craftsmanship.
Local Government Area
Agbagana is part of Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
Did we miss any key details or get something mixed up? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
What else do you know about Agbagana that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Source:
Ichie Ezeogwugwu Amaenye (Mmuodindu)
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
