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!

Nnobi Town Overview

Nnobi is an Igbo town located in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares borders with Ojoto, Ideani, Nnewi, Nnokwa, Awka-Etiti, Uke and Alor.

Main Villages in Nnobi

Nnobi is made up of three major villages:

Ngo
Ebenesi
Awuda

Major Deities

Idemili
Ahobinagu Nnobi
Edo
Idezuna
Ichiebia

Rivers and Streams

Obiaja (also called Mmili Idemili)
Odewudu (also Mmili Idezuna)

Masquerades

Okanga
Iyidu
Nkwasikwa
Agaba
Okpoka
Nwansi
Odogwu
Ikedinaokorobia

Main Market Day

The main market day in Nnobi is Afo and the market itself is called Afo-Nnobi. Marriage ceremonies, burials and any other activities that could interrupt the trading process on Afo market day are prohibited.

Major Festivals

Olulu Idemili: This is a festival held annually in July to honor Idemili, the main goddess of Nnobi. It takes place before the New Yam Festival, and it must be celebrated first before the Afiolu festival can happen.
Afiolu Nnobi: Held annually in August, this is the official New Yam Festival of the Nnobi people.
Ita-Atu Festival: This festival usually holds in December and it is dedicated to the Dibias of Nnobi. During this festival, people present gifts and offerings to honor Agwu, the spirit that guides and aids the Dibias.

Communal Taboos

Incest
Theft
Murder
Use of evil charms (Ogwu Nsi) to harm another human in any way
Killing or harming a python (Eke) is strictly forbidden in Nnobi. The python is the totem animal of Nnobi’s most revered deity, Idemili
Eating of dogs
Women Climbing Palm Trees (Nkwu)
Breaking of Oji (kolanut) in a public gathering by a woman

Founder and History

According to oral history, Nnobi is said to have ancestral links with the neighboring towns of Ogidi and Uke, but there are two conflicting accounts of where exactly the founders came from and how the town began. The first story says the founders were priests of the Water Goddess Idemili. To avoid a clash with the rising ruler Eri, the Goddess sent her priests away from the area where Eri had influence and guided them with a sacred python. Their leader, Obi, followed the python to the land now known as Nnobi and built the Goddess's main shrine, before helping his brothers to establish settlements in the lands now known as Ogidi and Uke. In contrast, the second story claims the three brothers came directly from the Nri kingdom, describing them as descendants of Nri Ifikuanim, who was himself a son of Eri.

Major Occupations

Farming
Trading

Local Government Area

Nnobi is a part of Idemili South 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 Nnobi that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!

Source:

Ogbuefi Ezeadindu na Nnobi.

Research Credit:

Chinualumogu

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Everything You Need to Know About Nnobi!