Everything You Need to Know About Igbariam!
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!
Igbariam Town Overview
Igbariam is an Igbo town located in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares borders with Achalla, Nando, Ukwulu, Awkuzu and Ayamelum.
Main Villages in Igbariam
There are seven main villages in Igbariam:
Eziama
Ifite
Urualo
Ubaru
Imendu
Aniekwem
Eziafo
Major Deities
Amuzu-Iyi
Udide
Rivers and Streams
Mmili Okpatu
Mmili Uzuzu
Mmili Ezu
Mmiligwe
Mmili Mbionwu
Masquerades
Ajibussu
Otumkpala
Igah
Main Market Day
Eke is the main market day in Igbariam. On this day, everyone gathers to buy and sell at the Eke Igbariam market, as trading in other parts of the town is not allowed. Additionally, no burials are permitted on Eke day.
Major Festivals
Awanji Igbariam: This is the New Yam Festival of Igbariam. It is usually celebrated between August and September every year.
Igba-Ebe Festival: This festival celebrates Igbariam culture through elaborate masquerade displays. The town’s major masquerades compete against one another in a superiority contest, using whips and charms (ogwu). Winning masquerades receive special rewards. It is held annually when the masquerade cults announce the date.
Mgba Onwa Ito Festival: This is a wrestling competition for able-bodied young men in Igbariam. Winners in the different categories receive prizes.
Communal Taboos
Incest
Murder
Keeping of dogs in residential areas
Women partaking in masquerade activities
Climbing of Oji (kolanut) tree
Founder and History
According to oral history, the people of Igbariam are believed to be descendants of a man named Onugu. He is believed to have descended from one of the Umu-Eri clans. Onugu is believed to have migrated inward from the present-day Aguleri where his family resided. Seeking a permanent home for his people, he discovered and chose to settle in the highly fertile lands of Igbariam, near the Omambala River area.
Major Occupations
Farming is the major occupation of Igbariam indigenes.
Local Government Area
Igbariam is part of Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
Did we miss any key details or get something mixed up?
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What else do you know about Igbariam that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Source:
Mgbo Igbariam
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
