Everything You Need to Know About Okija!
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!
Okija Town Overview
Okija is an Igbo community located in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. It is one of the oldest communities in Anambra and is bordered by towns such as Ozubulu, Ihiala, and Ihembosi.
Main Villages in Okija
Okija consists of three main village groups, listed in order of traditional seniority:
Ubahu-abu-Ubahu,
Uhuobo-na-Uhuowelle, and
Ihite-abu-Ihite.
These three main village groups are further divided into nine sub-units known as the "nine Obi areas."
These Obi areas contain all the villages and kindreds in the town of Okija. They are as follow:
Umuohi
Ubahu
Umuhu/Ubahuezike
Uhungwu/Umuofor
Umuatuegwu/Uhudim/Ohukabia
Uhuowelle
Isieke/Ubahudara
Ubahueze
Ubahumonum
Major Deities
Ogwugwu Mmili Umuohi
Ulasi Okija
Ogwugwu Akpu Ubahu-Ezike
Ekwensu Ogwugwu
Akpunama Ubahumonum
Ogwugwu Isiula
Ihuana Umuohi
Names of Rivers & Streams
Mmili Ulasi
Ogwugwu Mmili
Okpu Uzo-Oyibo
Ose-Asomba
Omai-Azia
Masquerades
Ozoebunu
Agu-Umudioka
Onoli
Odogwu Anyammili
Opoka
Main Market Day
The major market day for trading in Okija is Nkwo. The Nkwo Okija market is usually very busy with trading activities on Nkwo day, especially on Nne Nkwo, also known as The Big Nkwo (Nkwo Ukwu).
Eke is also important to Okija because chieftaincy titles are usually taken on Nne Eke, also known as Big Eke day (Eke Ukwu). In addition, Ozo-title holders are buried on Eke market day.
Major Festivals
Iri-Ji/Ihejioku Festival: This festival is typically celebrated in mid-September. The Okpala-Umuohi clan celebrates it earlier than the rest of Okija. It marks the celebration of the harvest season.
Mbiri Festival: This festival is celebrated once every forty years. It holds great economic and social importance for Okija because it is the festival of mass return. All Okija indigenes from across the world are expected to return home for the celebration of the land of Okija.
Otite Ulasi Festival
Asara-Ngwu Festival: This festival marks the beginning of the new farming season.
Communal Taboos
Killing, harming, or eating of Eke (Python)
Rape
Murder
Death of a widow during the mourning period for her husband
Incest
Plucking of Oji tree (kolanut tree)
Climbing of a kolanut tree
Climbing of palm trees by women
Eating of Ona (a particular kind of potato)
Eating of Ukpaka (oil bean) in some parts of Okija (this triggers intense allergies for those who observe the law)
Cooking food for the general public while menstruating
Verbally insulting an elder, especially one’s parents
Founder of Okija Town and History
Okija has a diverse origin. According to oral history, the town was formed by settlers from different parts of Igboland. One origin story tells of a man named Achala Ogidi who had four sons: Ihembosi, Okija, Ihiala, and Uli. One of his sons Okija settled in the land now known as Okija.
Another group of settlers came from Nri. They are descendants of a man known as Nnemerekohi. During his migration from Nri, he got stuck at the Ulasi river because there was no bridge. He met another man named Nnagbara who was also stuck there. Using his spiritual powers, Nnemereokohi caused a gigantic tree to fall across the river, creating a bridge. He then became the leader. To keep peace, Nnemereokohi asked Nnagbara to settle on the left side while he and his people settled on the right side.
A third group consists of Igbo returnees from the Idah/Igala area. They trace their ancestry to a man named Duruawai. He was disabled with only one working eye, which led his people in Idah to reject and drive him away. Duruawai later introduced the red-cap title institution (Ozo) to the earlier Okija settlers in exchange for the land where he settled, now known as Umuhu-Okija.
Major Occupations
Palm wine tapping and local gin distillation
Farming
Trading
Craftsmanship
Academics
Local Government Area
Okija is a part of Ihiala Local Government Area, in present day Anambra State.
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 Okija that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Sources:
High Chief Paulinus Chidi Ezekwe (Mmutaputaife)
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
