Everything You Need to Know About Anam!
A view of the Omambala River
Captured from Otuocha in Umuoba Anam. From this point, canoes transport passengers to the Anam mainland in Anambra West, where the remaining seven villages are located.
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!
Anam Town Overview
Anam is an Igbo town located primarily in the Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, though one of its villages (Umuoba Anam) lies across the Omambala River in Anambra East LGA. Because it is bounded by different rivers on several sides, Anam forms a semi-island. It shares land borders with nearby towns like Nzam and communities in Kogi State, while bordering towns like Aguleri and Umueri across the Omambala River.
Main Villages in Anam
Anam is made up of eight major villages:
Umueze Anam
Mmiata Anam
Iyiora Anam
Umuoba Anam
Oroma-Etiti Anam
Umudora Anam
Umuikwu Anam
Umuenwelum Anam
Major Deities
Ani-Anam
Abunke (Abumnkeonye)
Akili
Iwele
Iyije
Iyi-Ogwu
Rivers and Streams
Omambala
Mmili Ezichi
Okwu-Oroma-Etiti
Mmili Ini
Masquerades
Odumodu (the most revered Mmonwu in Anam)
Ogboso
Ogbuka
Isato
Izaga
Anumánū
Omaba
Owakwa/Awakwa
Main Market Day
The main market day in Anam is Eke and the market itself is called Eke-Anam. On this day, the town’s biggest market, Eke-Anam, is full of busy trading activity. To ensure trading goes smoothly, burials and other major public events that could interfere with market activities are prohibited throughout Anam on Eke days.
Major Festivals
Otite Anam: Held annually in August, Otite Anam (also called Alo Mmuo) is the official New Yam Festival of the Anam people.
Nzide-Ani Festival: Each year, during a period called Iji, rising river levels force the Anam people to temporarily move away from their semi-islands across the river toward Otuocha. When the river level returns to normal, the community gathers to celebrate their return with ritual offerings to Ani-Anam alongside general festivities.
Communal Taboos
Murder
Intercourse with a married person
Incest
Hunting or killing leopards (Agu) is strictly forbidden in Mmiata Anam
In Umueze Anam, residents are prohibited from keeping dogs
Women Climbing Palm Trees (Nkwu)
Founder and History
The people of Anam come from different roots, as the town was formed by several migrant groups. The earliest settlers were the Umueze people, who moved from Nteje Town and are seen as the leaders of Anam. The Umuikwu people originally came from Onitsha, while the Umuenwelum people migrated from Umueri.
Major Occupations
Farming
Hunting
Fishing
Local Government Area
Anam is a part of Anambra West 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 Anam that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Source:
Mr. Nwanegbo Dominic (Ogidiga)
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
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