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!

Nando Town Overview

Nando is an Igbo town located in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State. Nando shares its borders with Aguleri, Nteje, Awkuzu and Igbariam.

Main Villages in Nando

Nando is made up of three main villages:

Ezi Nando, which consists of the major sub-villages of Ubarunisioye, Isinyi, Okpobili, and Akamanato.
Ifite Nando, which contains the major sub-villages of Ikem, Akato, and Adagama.
Ikenga Nando, which includes the major sub-villages of Agbudu, Abube-Agu, Abube-Uno, and Umuawo.

Major Deities

Omalaba Ikem
Aja-Ani Nando
Ezedu
Iyi-Oji
Akpu-Enyi
Iyi-Eri Isinyi
Iyi-Uye

Rivers and Streams

Iyi-Oji Agu
Mmili Ezeukwu
Mmili Mgba N’ana
Omaliyi
Mmili Ndife
Mmili Ovia
Iyi-Ana
Mmili Ogba
Mmili Mbukpu
Mmili Owele-Ezenwanyi
Iyi-Uye
Mmili Oyoyo
Mmili Ovilivo

Masquerades

Igah
Isato (women are not allowed to see this masquerade)
Ajibusu
Akwunaechenyi
Enyi-Mmonwu
Otumkpala
Akwuebilisi
Izaga
Ijele
Ugo-Mmonwu
Agu-Mmonwu

Main Market Day

Nkwo is the primary market day in Nando, the market is named Nkwo-Nando. On every Nkwo day, the town’s largest market, Nkwo-Nando, becomes fully active with trading. Burials are strictly forbidden in Ezi-Nando on Nkwo market day. Similarly, Afo is another significant market day, centered around the Afo-Nando market in Ikem (Ifite village). Burials are forbidden in the Ikenga and Ifite parts of Nando on Afo market day.

Major Festivals

Alo Mmuo Nando: This is the annual New Yam Festival of Nando, celebrated in September. It is also a period dedicated to venerating and appeasing the ancestors (Ndiichie).
Olili Onwa Ito: An annual pre-harvest celebration observed as the crops approach maturation, signifying a time of gratitude and expectation before the harvest begins.
Olili Onwa Ivejioku: Held annually in February, this festival is dedicated to honoring the women (particularly the mothers) of Nando. During the celebration, traditional adherents pay tribute to their mothers by gifting them twenty tubers of yam alongside livestock of the mother's choice.

Communal Taboos

Murder
Abortion
Incest
Intercourse with a relative’s spouse
Killing Aguiyi (crocodile or alligator) within its natural habitat is strictly forbidden, as both reptiles are sacred to certain Nando deities.

Founder and History

According to oral history, the people of Nando trace their ancestry back to Iguedo, daughter of Eri, and her last husband, Iru. Nando is widely recognized as Iguedo's last-born child.

Major Occupations

Farming
Traditional Shamanism (Dibia)

Local Government Area

Nando is a 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 Nando that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!

Source:

Ogonaikpeyi Nando

Research Credit:

Chinualumogu

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Everything You Need to Know About Nando!