Everything You Need to Know About Obosi!
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!
Obosi Town Overview
Obosi is an Igbo town located in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares borders with Onitsha, Nkpor, Umuoji, Oba and Awada.
Main Villages in Obosi
Obosi is made up of five villages:
Umuota
Ire
Ugamuma
Mmakwum
Uruowulu
Major Deities
Okwu-Agadinwanyi
Udo Obosi
Idemmili Obosi
Rivers and Streams
Mmili Nkisi
Orimmili (also known as River Niger)
Idemmili
Ogbagiligili stream
Masquerades
Ozokwamkpo
Ijele
Ajikwu
Ogbamgbada
Mata-eshi
Aghaowelle
Otaka
Main Market Day
The main market day in Obosi is Afo. The popular Afo-Adike market serves as the town’s primary trading centre. It is usually very busy on Afo days but continues to operate on a smaller scale throughout the week. Other markets in Obosi include Nkwo Obosi, which is often used as a preparatory ground for certain festivals, and Eke Obosi.
Major Festivals
Obiora Obosi: This is the New Yam Festival in Obosi, celebrated annually in October.
Agwu Festival: This festival is observed by Agwu initiates in Obosi. It is held when the initiators declare, following their Igu-Aro (reading of the Igbo calendar).
Ito-Ogbo Festival: This is a celebration honoring the elderly people of Obosi, particularly indigenes who have reached the age of 80. It is held every two years in October and is marked by great merriment. The festival involves the slaughter of between 500 and 1,000 cows, which are prepared and shared freely with all participating individuals present in Obosi at the time.
Idemmili Festival: This is a celebration of the Idemmili deity of the Obosi people. It features animal sacrifices, prayer supplications, and lavish feasting.
Communal Taboos
Abortion
Murder
Eating of Eyi (rabbits) — forbidden for the Umunweshi clan in Ugamuma village
Sexual relations between members of certain clans within Obosi
Suicide
Female participation in masquerade activities
Killing of Eke (Python)
Incest
Stealing of yams
Founder and History
The people of Obosi are descendants of a man named Adike (also known as Dike). According to oral history, Adike migrated from Arochukwu together with his siblings and clansmen, some of whom settled in the Ojoto area. A hunter by trade, Adike embarked on a hunting expedition in the Obosi area. Upon discovering the land, he chose to settle there. However, when he began building houses, they constantly sank into the ground because of the nature of the soil. This phenomenon was captured in the Igbo phrase “o na ebosisi ebosisi,” meaning “it sinks.” The name Obosi was derived from this expression.
Major Occupations
Farming
Fishing
Hunting
Local Government Area
Obosi is part of Idemili North 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 Obosi that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Source:
Ogbueshi Chukwujekwu Emekwue (Igwenze).
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
