Everything You Need to Know About Abba!
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!
Abba Town Overview
Abba is an Igbo town located in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares borders with Awkuzu, Ifitedunu, Ukpo, Enugwu-Agidi and Nawgu.
Main Villages in Abba
Abba is made up of four major villages:
Okpuloji
Ire
Amabo
Ezi-Abba
Major Deities
Oyi-Abba
Akose
Ogaranya
Egbe
Anumanu-Abba
Rivers and Streams
Oyi-Abba
Mmili Oru Mkpukpa
Mmili Ogaranya
Mmili Ubu-amuma
Masquerades
Agwonatumbe
Oduduyarikwe
Ajommuoririte-ririozunwa
Akataka
Ojiugo (Atumma)
Onyeochabinammiri
Adamma
Main Market Day
In Abba, the main market day is Oye (Orie). On this day, the town’s biggest market, Oye-Abba, is full of busy trading activity. No ceremonies of any kind are allowed on Orie in Abba.
Major Festivals
Ede-Okpoto Festival: This is celebrated every February. The women of Abba cook large quantities of cocoyam (ede), and the festival features various community performances and celebrations.
Iri-Agwu Festival: This festival is observed by people who have completed the Agwu initiation ritual known as “Ilu Agwu.” During the festival, initiates appease their Agwu spirit with ritual offerings. It is held annually in July.
Awanji Abba: This is Abba’s New Yam Festival. It is usually celebrated on the first Sunday that falls on Nkwo market day (Uka Nkwo) in August.
Anumanu-Abba Festival: This festival honours the deity Anumanu. It is celebrated towards the end of the rainy season every year.
Communal Taboos
Abortion
Murder
Killing of Eke (python) and Mbe (tortoise)
Suicide
Incest
Women climbing any trees
In some parts of Abba, it is also forbidden to eat Nchi (grasscutter), alligator, and Eyi (rabbit).
Founder and History
The people of Abba are believed to be descendants of the Nri kingdom. According to the most common oral history, a man named Owelle, who migrated from the Nri area, is regarded as the founder (and father) of Abba. Oral tradition describes Owelle as a great hunter and farmer. During one of his hunting expeditions, Owelle discovered a large, fertile, and uninhabited piece of land beside a stream. Impressed by the richness of the soil, he cleared the land, began farming, and settled there with his family. That land is what we now know as Abba.
Major Occupations
Farming is the major occupation of Abba indigenes.
Local Government Area
Abba 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 Abba that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Source:
Mrs. Obianuju Okafor (Mama Ndi Agboro).
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
