Everything You Need to Know About Awka-Etiti!
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!
Awka-Etiti Town Overview
Awka-Etiti is an Igbo town located in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares its borders with Nnobi, Nnokwa, Ichida, Azigbo, Amichi and Nnewi.
Main Villages in Awka-Etiti
There are seven main villages in Awka-Etiti:
Nkolofia
Umunocha
Iruowelle
Ejighinandu
Umudunu
Nnaba
Ogunzele
Major Deities
Eke Awka-Etiti
Ulasi
Udo Nkolofia
Ogwugwu Diedo
Rivers and Streams
Awka-etiti has no rivers or streams.
Masquerades
Ikedina-Odugwu
Okpoka
Ajofia
Eze-onyido
Main Market Day
The main market day in Awka-Etiti is Eke, and the market itself is locally known as Eke Awka-Etiti. Burials and other major public events that could interfere with market activities are prohibited throughout Awka-Etiti on Eke days.
Major Festivals
Iri-Ji Ofuu Festival: Celebrated in August, this is the annual New Yam Festival of Awka-Etiti.
Afiolu Festival: An annual celebration marking the end of the farming season, held in Onwa Iri (usually October), and featuring performances by Awka-Etiti's largest masquerades.
Communal Taboos
Murder
Killing or eating of Eke (python)
Eating of dogs
Incest
Women climbing or cutting palm-trees (Nkwu)
Women breaking Oji (kolanut) in a public gathering
Founder and History
Awka-Etiti was originally named Oka-Diedo after its ancestral founder. According to tradition, Awka-Etiti shares close familial ties with neighboring towns of Nnobi, Nnewi and Uke. Its founder was a brother to Nnobi’s founder, a brother to Nnewi’s matriarch (Edo), and nephew to Uke’s founder. Following their father's death, a dispute between the founders of Awka-Etiti and Nnobi led Oka-Diedo to migrate with his family from Nnobi and settle in present-day Iruowelle village of Awka-Etiti.
Major Occupations
Trading
Local Government Area
Awka-Etiti is a part of Idemili South 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 Awka-Etiti that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Sources:
Mr. Okwudili Okwunze
Mr. Chimezie Mbaegbu (Jukwese)
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
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