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!
Isuaniocha Town Overview
Isuaniocha is an Igbo town located in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares borders with Okpuno, Ebenebe, Amanuke, Urum, Mgbakwu and Nawgu.
Main Villages in Isuaniocha
Isuaniocha is made up of eight villages:
Umueze
Adama
Umuomite
Otoko
Umudunu
Ifite-Isu
Umunne-eri
Umuelom
Major Deities
Aja-Ana Ukwu Isuaniocha
Aro Isu
Agadi Nwanyi Isu
Rivers and Streams
Mmili Ofia-Anya
Mmili Obibia
Mmili Agungwu
Mmili Odo-ohi
Mmili Ogum
Mmili Akuelu
Masquerades
Ijele
Agaba
Akwunaechenyi
Igah (Mmonwu Udoh)
Inyiagboku
Akataugulu
Main Market Day
The main market day in Isuaniocha is Eke, held at the market known as Eke-Isuaniocha. To prevent disruption to market activities, burials and major public gatherings are forbidden across the town on Eke market days. When an Eke market day falls on a Sunday, trading in Isuaniocha is suspended, and the community observes it as a dedicated day of rest.
Major Festivals
Aja-Ana Ukwu Iwaji Festival: This is the New Yam Festival in Isuaniocha. It is held every year in September.
Mkpulu-Ede Festival: This is the annual four-day festival held every March, featured as the primary occasion where the community's most revered masquerades perform.
Communal Taboos
Abortion
Murder
Women are prohibited from climbing trees, particularly palm (Nkwu), kolanut (Oji) and coconut trees
In Isuaniocha, the people of Otoko village do not kill or eat Eke (python) and Enwe (monkey), while the people of Umunneri village abstain from eating a specific type of black fish known as Azụ-Evi
Suicide
Incest
Founder and History
The people of Isuaniocha trace their lineage to the Igbo progenitor, Eri, through their mother, Emeji, who was married to a man named Isu. Emeji bore Isu two sons: Ani (also known as Aniocha) and Achalla. Ani founded Isuaniocha, while his brother Achalla founded the neighboring town of Achalla, a shared ancestry that bonds both communities as brother-towns to this day.
Major Occupations
Farming.
Local Government Area
Isuaniocha is a part of Awka North 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 Isuaniocha that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Source:
Mr. Agbalusia-Ngene
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
