Everything You Need to Know About Achalla!
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!
Achalla Town Overview
Achalla is an Igbo town located in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares borders with Amanuke, Ugbenu, Urum, Ugbene and Igbariam.
Main Villages in Achalla
Achalla is made up of eight villages:
Udezu
Amadim
Umuezede
Umunagu
Odawa
Umuogbe
Umuogbe
Umudiana
Major Deities
Ada-Achalla
Ofufe Umuezede
Iyigo Odawa
Aja-Ana Achalla
Ochichinaokpalaoye Udezu
Ngwu Amadim
Rivers and Streams
Mmili Ezibekwu
Iyi-umu
Iyiocha
Mmili Ofia
Masquerades
Agunaabu
Oganachi
Idemele
Nwannennaya
Main Market Day
Achalla has two major markets. The biggest market is called Oye-Achalla. It becomes very busy with buying and selling every Orie (Oye) day. Burial ceremonies are not allowed on Orie market day. The second (smaller) market is called Nkwo-Achalla. It operates on Nkwo market day.
Major Festivals
Ada-Achalla Festival: This festival honors the highly revered deity, Ada-Achalla. It is also a celebration of Achalla culture. The festival is held annually, usually around the month of July but there is no fixed date because it is chosen according to the traditional Igbo calendar (Igu Aro).
Arum-Ji Festival: This is the New Yam Festival in Achalla. It is held every year in August.
Communal Taboos
Abortion
Murder
Women climbing palm trees (Nkwu) or kolanut trees (Oji)
Suicide
Incest (in Achalla, a person who commits incest may die by swelling if atonement is not performed in time)
Stealing of yams from the earth
Founder and History
The people of Achalla are said to be descendants of the Igbo mythical figure called Eri. According to oral history, a man named Achalla once lived in Isu-Aniocha with his older brother, Isu. Achalla, who was a hunter, went hunting one day and discovered a fertile piece of land. He built a makeshift hut there and planted yam seedlings. When he saw how well the crops grew, he returned to Isu-Aniocha and told his brother about the land. Achalla eventually settled in this fertile area, and this settlement grew into the town of Achalla.
Major Occupations
The major occupation of Achalla indigenes is Farming.
Local Government Area
Achalla is part of Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
Did we miss any key details or get something mixed up?
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What else do you know about Achalla that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Source:
Ozuluonye Onuora (Aziza Achalla).
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
