We share posts like this to help Igbo people around the world reconnect with their roots. A tree stands strong when its roots run deep, how deep are yours?

May this inspire you to explore, remember, and pass on the stories that shape who you are. Enjoy!

Names of Villages

Main Villages in Ukpo include: Oranto, Isiekwulu, Akpu, Akaezi.

Names of Kindreds

Kindreds within each village include the following below.

Under Oranto
- Adagbe Iruokwumene
- Enu Iruokwumene
- Adagbe Iruazom
- Enu Iruazom
- Iruanika
- Irueze
- Enu Iruagu
- Adagbe Iruagu
- Iruoduma
- Irubuike
- Enu Orifia
- Umuizuogu Orofia
- Iruzu
- Adagbe Orifia
- Obinagu
Under Isiekwulu
- Umuaguona Iruezeani
- Umuanunwa Iruezeani
- Umubelu Iruezeani
- Ikwerionwu/Akpasa
- Umuakpasa
- Irurukpo
- Iruota
- Ndiagu
- Umuanigbo Iruezeani
- Eruikpe
- Umuegozo
Under Akpu
- Irudike-Iruokokwu
- Umuaroluonu-Iruokokwu
- Umuejiofor-Iruokokwu
- Umuawalagba-Iruokokwu
- Umuogene-Iruokokwu
- Umunwukpo-Iruokokwu (Note: Umunwukpo-Iruokokwu is made up of Umu-onwasanya, Umuobimelu and Umuofedu)
- Umuota
- Umudagu
- Iruogoli
- Irunnebo
- Umunsim
Under Akaezi
- Enuakaezi
- Umu-Omeocha
- Umu-Etoo
- Umu-Onu/Umu Nwafor -Egboke
- Uruebenebe/Adama
- Umuanunwa

Names of Dieties

Major deities in Ukpo include the following: Gwogwo, Ali, Edene.

Name of River

The Major river in Ukpo is Mmili Ali.

Main Market Day

Oye (Orie) is a significant market day in Ukpo. Oye Ukpo is Ukpo’s major market. Ekeagu is also a significant market.

Major Festivals

Major festivals that take place in Ukpo include:

Opoto is the biggest festival in Ukpo. It is done in homage to the Gwogwo deity, usually done around first Olie (Orie) that falls on Sunday (Uka Olie) of February.
- It is celebrated for four days, in the evening preceding this festival Cocoyam [Ede] is cooked and shared among the community people at the Obi of the Gwogwo deity.
- Iti Mmonwu is performed majorly during the Opoto festival. On the third day the masquerades come out at the market square to whip themselves viciously to win bragging rights and a huge ram (Ebunu).
Iwa Ji, the New Yam Festival is celebrated around September.
Ali Festival is the celebration of Ali, the primary water deity of Ndi Ukpo.
Edene Festival.
Note: Both Ali and Edene festivals must come after the Opoto festival. Ali festival begins on the immediate Eke market day after the Opoto Festival ends.

Communal Taboos

Incest
Harming, killing or eating of Eke (Python)
Harming, killing or eating of Mbe (Tortoise)
Rape
Murder
Land Theft

Founder of Ukpo Town & History

Ukpo is said to be descended from an ancestral figure known as Dunukofia. Dunukofia was the father to Ukpo, Ifite (now known as Ifitedunu), Umunnachi, and Umudioka. They are considered the founders of the respective towns that form the core of the Dunukofia clan, with Ukpo being the eldest and most prominent among them. Ukpo’s founding is attributed to Ukpo, the son of Dunukofia.