Everything You Need to Know About Akwaeze!
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!
Akwaeze Town Overview
Akwaeze is an Igbo town located in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares its borders with Oraeri, Aguluzuigbo, Neni, Adazi-Enu, Obeledu and Igbo-Ukwu.
Main Villages in Akwaeze
Akwaeze consists of six main villages:
Umuideke
Uruonyiri
Umuutu
Uruolu
Umuezeani
Mgbuwa
Major Deities
Utanagbamgbada
Umuahuho
Ojirike
Rivers and Streams
Akwaeze has no rivers or streams.
Masquerades
Idigo
Okwomma
Enyomma
Main Market Day
The main market day in Akwaeze is Afo, and the market itself is locally known as Afo-Akwaeze. To prevent disruption to market activities, burials and major public gatherings are forbidden across the town on Afo market days.
Major Festivals
Iri-Ji/Ufejioku Akwaeze: This is the town's New Yam Festival, celebrated every year in late August or September.
Ikpo-Ji Festival: This ceremony takes place before the Iri-Ji festival. It marks the official entrance of new yams into Akwaeze, whether grown locally or brought from other towns, before they can be sold in the market. The festival is led by the Uruonyili village, who serve as the spiritual custodians of the town. After the ritual, the Igwe officially eats the new yam, opening the way for the rest of the community to eat and celebrate during Iri-Ji.
Akwaeze Mass Return Festival: This is held every five years in December, this major event serves as Akwaeze's "mass return" festival, bringing community members home from all over the world to celebrate their shared heritage.
Ofala Festival: A celebration honoring the traditional ruler (Igwe) of Akwaeze, held once in a decade.
Communal Taboos
Murder
Land grabbing
Killing or eating of Eke (python)
Incest
Women plucking from Oji (kola nut) trees
Stealing yams directly from the soil before harvest
Founder and History
The people of Akwaeze trace their lineage back to a man named Ezennebo (also known as Nnebo). He had two sons: Akwa, the eldest, who founded Akwaeze, and Neni (or Eneni), who founded the town of Neni. Because of this common ancestor, the people of Akwaeze and Neni are traditional brother towns.
Major Occupations
Farming.
Local Government Area
Akwaeze is a part of Anaocha 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 Akwaeze that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Source:
Ichie Pius Onwuka
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
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