Everything You Need to Know About Umueri!
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!
Umueri Town Overview
Umueri (also spelled Umuleri) is an Igbo town located in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State. Umueri shares its borders with Aguleri, Anam, Nando, Nteje and Nsugbe.
Main Villages in Umueri
Umueri is made up of three main villages:
Ivite
Ezi
Ikenga
Note that Udabu is a prominent, historically significant location in Umueri that some locals view as a fourth main village; however, it is not officially recognized as a standalone village.
Major Deities
Ogwugwu Umueri
Onu-obala
Oviammili
Aro
Álī-Ogbu (A major deity located in Ogbu village—Ivite Umueri)
Iyi-Oji
Rivers and Streams
Álī-Ogbu
Mmili Ngene
Omambala (the Anambra River)
Mmili Ugwu
Mmili Ogboko
Iyi-Ogbe
Masquerades
Ijele
Oyoko
Akwunaechenyi
Àdā
Main Market Day
The main market day in Umueri is Eke. On every Eke day, the town’s largest market, Eke-Umueri, becomes fully active with trading. Burials, festivities, and other celebrations are strictly forbidden across Umueri on Eke market days. Additionally, a smaller but notable market holds on every Nkwo market day in the Ezi village of Umueri.
Major Festivals
Olili Onwa Iri: Usually held in January in Nneyi (Ezi Umueri), this festival features the land's priests performing Igu-Aro, a prophetic reading for the coming year affecting Umueri, and neighboring communities.
Alo Mmuo Umueri: The community's annual New Yam Festival, celebrated in September.
Onwa Isii Festival: Celebrated around July and August according to their Igbo calendar, this festival involves venerating and appeasing the revered Álī-Ogbu deity. It also features Igba-Mgba, an ancient traditional wrestling contest among young men in their respective age-grades.
Onwa Isaa Festival: A festival dedicated to the communal veneration and appeasement of the Oviammili deity. It usually occurs a few weeks after the Onwa Isii Festival.
Communal Taboos
Incest.
Murder/Suicide.
Killing or eating the python (Eke) or the tortoise (Mbe) is prohibited, as both are sacred totem animals belonging to Umueri deities.
Adultery with a relative’s spouse.
Women climbing palm trees (Nkwu).
Founder and History
According to oral history, the people of Umueri trace their roots back to Eri, a foundational figure in Igbo tradition. They descended through Iguedo, one of Eri's descendants, who is recognized as the mother of Umueri. Iguedo is also believed to have given birth to the founders of Ogbunike, Okuzu, and Nando.
Major Occupations
Farming
Trading
Local Government Area
Umueri is a part of Anambra East 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 Umuleri that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Sources:
Ichie Kevin Obinwenumu (Mgborogwu Gbachiliezi)
Elder Goddy Onyeaka.
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
