Everything You Need to Know About Umunze!
Our aim with posts like this is to help Ndi Igbo 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 posts like this one inspire you to explore, document, and preserve your history for generations to come. Enjoy!
Name of Villages
Main Villages in Umunze include: Ndikpa Ugwunano, Nsogwu Umunze, Lomu, Ubaha Umunze, Ozara Umunze, Amuda, Ururo.
Names of Dieties
Major deities in Umunze include the following: Izo Nwa-Chukwuokike, Ngene-Nsogwu, Ogwugwu Obuvuteaku, Ohadu, Ala Aho, Oji Mbia, Eze Ahurukwe, Evuchiakunabo, Udo Ubaha, Ngene Oji Lomu.
Names of Rivers
Rivers and Streams in Umunze include: Mmili Ojimbia, Awommili Umunze, Mmili Ogbanzu, Mmili Ngwogolo, Iyi-Akwu, Mmili Osu.
Main Market Day
Nkwo is a significant day for spirituality in Umunze. Nkwo is also the main market day for trade for Umunze people. Afo is the day reserved for the Umunze Earth goddess.
Major Festivals
Major festivals that take place in Umunze include:
Okuka: Usually done around January/February, just before cultivation season.
Ifejioku Festival (Iri-ji): Usually around September/October.
Communal Taboos
Incest
Intra-family adultery (e.g a man sleeping with his living brother’s wife)
Murder
Harming of Pythons (Eke)
Harming, killing, or eating of Edi-Abali (The African Civet is a totem animal of the Umunze people, it is particularly linked to the Obuvuteakwu deity)
Women going close to the Ngwu tree or appeasing the Ngwu energy
Desecration of yam
Founder of Umunze Town & History
The history of Umunze is traced to an Arochukwu man named Nze. The people of Umunze today are believed to be descendants of this historical figure.
Masquerades
These are the main masquerades in Umunze:
Agaba Umunze
Mmonwu Odogwu Anyame
Mbadike
Igba Egwurugwu
Adamma Umunze
Occupation They Are Known For
The major occupation of Umunze indigenes and residents is Farming, especially yam farming.
Local Government Area
Umunze is a part of Orumba South Local Government Area, in present day Anambra State.
Did we miss any key details or get something mixed up? Share your thoughts in the comments!
What else do you know about Umunze that isn’t covered here? And which Igbo town would you like us to feature next? Let us know below. Daalu!
Sources:
Dr. Mrs Nsofor Chinazaekpere (Oji-Ugo Ijele Spiritual Home Umunze)
Research Credit:
ChinuaXiii
