Everything You Need to Know About Igbo-Ukwu!
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!
Igbo-Ukwu Town Overview
Igbo-Ukwu is an Igbo town located in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares its borders with Oraeri, Isuofia, Ekwulumili, Amichi, Azigbo, Aguluzoigbo, Ezinifite, Umuona, Ikenga and Ichida.
Main Villages in Igbo-Ukwu
There are seven main villages in Igbo-Ukwu:
Umudege
Obiuno
Ngo
Ezihu
Ezigbo
Akukwa
Etiti
Major Deities
Udo-Nkwo (the most revered deity in Igbo-Ukwu)
Agu-Udoh
Rivers and Streams
Historically, the Ubu River flowed through Igbo-Ukwu, but due to avulsion, it shifted its course and no longer passes through the community. Currently there are no rivers or streams in Igbo-Ukwu.
Masquerades
Eze-odojiri
Ofo-Igbo
Ojunkita-anya
Oke-mkpi
Main Market Day
The main market day in Igbo-Ukwu is Nkwo, and the market itself is locally known as Nkwo Igbo-Ukwu. Burials and other major public events that could interfere with market activities are prohibited throughout Igbo-Ukwu on Nkwo days.
Major Festivals
Iri-Ji Igbo-Ukwu Festival: Held annually on August 3rd, this is the town's New Yam Festival. If August 3rd falls on Nkwo, a revered market day in Igbo-Ukwu, the celebration is moved to August 4th.
Ikpo-Ji Festival: This ceremony takes place annually in July, just before the Iri-Ji (New Yam) Festival. It marks the official introduction of newly harvested yams, whether grown locally or brought from outside the town, before they can be sold in Igbo-Ukwu markets. Officiated by deity priests (Ọfọ holders), the festival also features performances by the town's masquerades.
Communal Taboos
Murder
Theft
Killing or eating of Eke (python)
Incest
Women climbing or cutting palm-trees (Nkwu)
Women climbing or plucking from kola nut (Oji) or bitter-kola trees
Founder and History
Igbo-Ukwu is an ancient town whose earliest ancestor is unknown by name. However, oral history holds that he was a skilled metalworker and blacksmith. He was the father of Dege and several other children. As his firstborn son, Dege’s lineage became the village of Umudege (meaning "the descendants of Dege"), which is recognized as the oldest village in Igbo-Ukwu.
Major Occupations
Trading
Farming
Local Government Area
Igbo-Ukwu is a part of Aguata 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 Igbo-Ukwu that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Source:
Mr. Umeanuka Abuchi
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
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