Everything You Need to Know About Amawbia!
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!
Amawbia Town Overview
Amawbia is an Igbo community located in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares borders with the towns of Awka, Nawfia, and Enugwu-Agidi.
Main Villages in Amawbia
Amawbia consists of six main villages:
Adabebe
Ngene
Enu-oji
Umukabia
Ezimezi
Umueze
Major Deities
The principal deity venerated in Amawbia is Ngene-Nkolobia. Its zoomorphic form is the Python, known locally as Eke. Other important deities recognized in the different villages include Ngene Okweafa, Ngene Enu-ofia, and Aja-Ana Amawbia.
Rivers and Streams
Mmiri Ananaagu
Mmiri Aba
Mmiri Okika
Mmiri Obibia
Mmiri Ofiamazu
Masquerades
Mmonwu Ijele
Mmonwu Enyinnunu
Akwunachenyi
Mmonwu Izaga
Main Market Day
The most important market day in Amawbia is Eke. Trading activities take place at the popular Eke-Oyibo Amawbia market square.
Major Festivals
Ili-Ji (New Yam Festival): This is usually held in August or September.
Ezi-Okpaligwe Festival: This festival is celebrated every year in the month of April.
Egbe-Alusi: This festival is organized by the indigenous Dibias of Amawbia. It features the veneration of deities through propitiatory rites and community feasting, and a display of the town’s major masquerades in a superiority contest. The winning masquerade receives a special reward.
Adaezeaka Umueze Festival: This is held annually after Easter Sunday. It brings together the people of Umueze village to celebrate their ancestral drum called Ekwe. The festival involves food, dancing, and veneration. The Ekwe drum is believed to be inhabited by an ancestral spirit.
Communal Taboos
Killing, harming, or eating the Eke (Python), which is the totem animal of the town’s most revered deity.
Women are not allowed to perform in any masquerade activities.
Land theft
Murder
Incest
Founder and History
Amawbia has diverse history with settlers from different parts of Igboland. The original founders of the town are said to have migrated from the ancient Nri Kingdom. Three of the six villages; Adabebe, Ngene, and Umueze are regarded as the first settlers. Consequently, the position of Igwe (traditional ruler) is rotated strictly among these three founding villages. These three villages trace their ancestry to a man named Awofia, who is believed to be one of the sons of Nri Ifikwuanim, a son of Eri. The other villages are said to be descendants of war mercenaries who were hired by the Awka people and later given land to settle permanently in the area.
Major Occupations
The people of Amawbia are mainly known for academics, civil service and transportation.
Local Government Area
Amawbia is located in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State.
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 Amawbia that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Sources:
Chief Christopher Alubala Okoye
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
