Everything You Need to Know About Ichi!
Photo of Ichi Civic Centre which hosts town-hall meetings and is the primary designated public centre for local developmental planning in Ichi.
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!
Ichi Town Overview
Ichi is an Igbo town located in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State. Ichi shares its borders with Ozubulu, Nnewi, Oraifite and Oba.
Main Villages in Ichi
Ichi is made up of six major villages:
Enugwu-Aja
Umuezeabu
Oka
Utuofia
Obiofia
Umunandu
Major Deities
Udogwugwu
Kamanu
Ogwugwu-onyeuka
Rivers and Streams
Mmiri Mgbo
Mmiri Ezugo
Mmiri Ekulu
Mmiri Obolo
Nnemmiri
Masquerades
Nkenekwu
Achikwu
Agaba
Atu
Ntuebi
Agu
Nwansi
Odogwu
Ozokwamkpo
Ejuejieyensi
Omeke
Inyikiriputu
Main Market Day
The main market day in Ichi is Eke, locally known as Eke-Ichi, alongside the smaller Afo-Uzo market which holds on Afo market days. On Eke market days, farming is strictly forbidden in certain parts of the town.
Major Festivals
Afiolu Festival: This is the annual New Yam Festival of Ichi. It is usually held in August, though the exact date depends on the traditional Igbo calendar (Igu-Aro) for that year.
Communal Taboos
Use of evil charms (Ogwu Nsi) to harm another human in any way
Murder
Incest
Killing or harming Eke (python)
Killing or harming Nchi (grasscutter)
Women climbing any trees.
Breaking of Oji (kolanut) in a public gathering by a woman
Founder and History
Ichi's founding is linked to a man named Agbaja, who is believed to be the son of Eze Nri, the ruler and chief priest of Nri at the time. Agbaja married a woman named Edo, and together they had a son named Ikenga. Ikenga later fathered four sons: Isu (the eldest), Nnewi, Ichi, and Ifite. Because of this shared ancestry, the neighboring towns of Nnewi, Oraifite, and Ichi share similar cultural and spiritual traditions today.
Major Occupations
Shoemaking
Farming
Trading
Local Government Area
Ichi is a part of Ekwusigo 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 Ichi that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Source:
Honorable Arinze Hilary Okeke
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
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