Everything You Need to Know About Nnokwa!
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!
Nnokwa Town Overview
Nnokwa is an Igbo town located in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares its borders with Nnobi, Adazi-Ani, Ichida, Ojoto, Alor and Awka-Etiti.
Main Villages in Nnokwa
There are ten main villages in Nnokwa:
Odumodu
Abo
Umudim
Nnaku
Ozara
Umuoshi
Eziama
Umuide
Isi-mgbede
Ozara-anyakoha.
Major Deities
Eke-Nnokwa
Idemili
Udo-Nnokwa
Okpam
Ukpaka-ijite
Aya-Umudim
Idezuna
Rivers and Streams
Historically, the Ulasi River flowed through Nnokwa, but due to avulsion, it shifted its course and no longer passes through the community. Currently there are no rivers or streams in Nnokwa.
Masquerades
Ajibusu
Udoh
Ogbamgbada
Nwampi
Odogwu
Ukoro
Main Market Day
The main market day in Nnokwa is Eke, and the market itself is locally known as Eke-Nnokwa. To ensure trading goes smoothly, burials and other major public events that could interfere with market activities are prohibited throughout Nnokwa on Eke days.
Major Festivals
Erimji-Ofu Nnokwa: The annual New Yam Festival of Nnokwa, celebrated on the first Saturday of August.
Afiolu Festival: An annual celebration marking the end of the farming season, held on October 15 and featuring performances by Nnokwa's largest masquerades.
Odunke Festival: Held after Afiolu, this festival officially concludes the Afiolu celebration.
Communal Taboos
Murder
Incest
Cannibalism
Stealing food crops (especially yams) from the ground
Killing or eating of Eke (python)
Eating of any kind of snakes (Agwo)
Expropriating or seizing another person's property unjustly
Abortion
Intercourse with a married woman
Women blessing or breaking Oji (kolanut) in a public gathering
Women selling ancestral land
Women climbing palm-trees (Nkwu) or plucking kolanut (Oji) from its tree.
Founder and History
The people of Nnokwa descend from Nri and are believed to be direct descendants of Nri-Namako, a son of the Igbo progenitor, Eri. Following a dispute with his brother (the founder of Oraeri) in his hometown of Nri, Nnokwa migrated and founded the town that bears his name.
Major Occupations
Commerce and Education.
Local Government Area
Nnokwa is a part of Idemili South 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 Nnokwa that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Source:
Comrade Ozo Onyenokwata na Nnokwa
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
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