Umunya
Encyclopedia
Umunya is an Olu Town and one of the five [5] communities that make up Oyi
Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State
Nigeria
; it is bordered by six neighbors: Ifite-Dunu, Awkuzu
, Nteje, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Ogbunike, and Umudioka
. In the south lies Umudioka, Idenmili LGA, and Ifite-Dunu, Njikoka
LGA; in the north, Nteje and Nkwelle-Ezunaka; in the east, Awkuzu, and in the west, Ogbunike. The boundaries are naturally demarcated by streams. Nearly all ten villages of Umunya have their own fresh water springs. It is blessed with fertile lands; hence, its economy is based on agriculture
.
It is a town of ten villages namely Ezi-Umunya, Okpu, Ojobi, Umuebo, Amaezike, Ajakpani, Odumodu-Ani, Isioye, Odumodu-Enu and Ukunu. These villages are sub-grouped into Ezi, Ifite and Ikenga
sub-divisions, the tri-partite heritage of all Gadite H/Igbos commonly referred to in anthropological history as ERI-AWKA Igbo.
Mythical and Related History:
The founder of Umunya is called Nya who was the son in-charge of the fleets of ERU, the progenitor of the Igbos of Guinea Forest West Africa
. The story had it that River Omambala was joined by Isi-Ogwugwu, a fast flowing river that then encompassed the present Umunya area. Isi-Ogwugwu was believed to have created the rolling topography nature of the area as it is today. The scenic depression of Urunda towards Ogbunike is commonly cited by story-tellers, to credit this myth.
The story goes that on a certain Eke day as Nya was ferrying fishermen and farmers across the stupendous Isi-Ogwugwu water course, he was struck by a moving flash in the river that followed an unusual wave swirl. The remarkable nature of the 'whirl and twirl' of the flash made Nya to suspend work in reverence to a river goddess, whom he believed was passing to Eke market, in the west. As he went out to rest, he was shown a vision of a stone upon which he will establish a community of farmers who will become his own people. When he woke up, he discovered that the river had receded further beyond where he tied his canoe. This he took as a confirmation of his dream. He therefore settled here at the place known as "Ilo-Umuebo". This Ilo-Umuebo is now the center-court of High Justice in Umunya, where truth must be told. He brought his kinsmen and friends and founded the community known today as Umunya (UMU NYA, i.e. “Children of Nya”).
Before the advent of the whiteman, probably in the 13th or 14th century, Umunya was decimated by invaders from Igbo inland. The first of the attacks was seen as a conspiracy from within and it was responsible for the whittling down of the precursor villages of Ezi sub-group namely, Adagbe-Mpo, Mponenem, Oviabuzo and Okpuru. This incident bore hatred until commensal sacrifices were made through the Ana deity and Ana Priest installed to replace the people killed in the mayhem. By the turn of 16th century, Umunya became introduced to the Nri installed style of Leadership with Igboegbunam Odezulu-Igbo Onenulu I, instituting the Hebraic Ozo Society. He brought a mystical piece of a "Lapis Lazuli
" chunk originally kept by Nya himself and buried it to the foundation of his Obi
at Umuebo. He became the first of the chieftainship of a warrior Dynasty that led Umunya until the 20th century, when the colonial authority established warrantship.
The Ozo is a trend in the life of the people much like the practice of Jewish cabala. It becomes the repository of Umunya Tradition and Culture. Formerly, it was the exclusive reserve of the “bold and prepared” men who were ready to keep the sublime truths, making them to be addressed as Nze (one who avoids evil).
Umunya, like its neighboring towns, is organized into three socio-political divisions: Ezi, Ifite, and Ikenga. This form of organization is said to be a distinguishing feature of Eri-Igbo. In view of the near extinction of Ezi-Umunya, the elders of Umunya decided on a reorganization, grouping Okpu, Amaezike and Ukunu formerly of Ifite, together with the remainder of Ezi-Umunya into a village grouping to be known as Akanano. What remained of Ifite, namely Ojobi, Umuebo, Ajakpani and Isioye were henceforth known as Okpoko, while Odumodu-Ani and Odumodu-Enu remained as Ikenga. The division of Umunya into three units-- Akanano, Okpoko, and Ikenga is both for administrative and defensive purposes.
The warrant chieftaincy for Akanano was held by Chief Nwabude, for Okpoko by Chief Nwanegbo, and for Ikenga by Chief Oraegbuna. As a peace-loving community, Umunya has been blessed with good leaders beginning with the warrant traditional ruler, Chief Nwanegbo Okocha, whose reign was from 1909 - 1930. The first publicly crowned traditional ruler came 39 years later in the person of HRM Igwe (Prof) J.C. Menakaya (Ezedioramma 1) who reigned from 1973 - 1985; followed by HRH Igwe A. N. Nwanegbo (Ezedioramma and Okocha II) who reigned from 1994 - 1997, and the current HRH Igwe, Kris C. Onyekwuluje (Eze-Nya 1) whose reign started in 1998.
In terms of self-help efforts, Umunya community, though small in size and population, has made significant achievements. Several major projects have been undertaken and executed without government help. These include the construction of the health center, a modern post office
, a community secondary school
, a town hall, and a community bank. Only the electrification project was jointly carried out with the state government. In the field of commerce and industry, there is a functioning commercial bank (a branch of the ACB Plc). The major industries are Tempo Mills Ltd., makers of Tempovita and flour
, and the U-Gas plant. There are presently two major markets, the Afor daily and the Eke weekly markets. A modern market is under construction.
Many sons of Umunya have distinguished themselves in banking and in the civil service
, while others have followed the professions or are distinguished academics.
Oyi
Oyi is a Local Government Area and city in Anambra State, Nigeria. It is home to the Oyi people.-History:Oral history:The origin of Oyi people is the same for all the "OLU" sub group of the Eri-Awka Igbo...
Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State
Anambra State
Anambra is a state in south-eastern Nigeria. Its name is an anglicized version of the original 'Oma Mbala', the native name of the Anambra River. The Capital and the Seat of Government is Awka. Onitsha and Nnewi are the biggest commercial and industrial cities, respectively. The state's theme is...
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
; it is bordered by six neighbors: Ifite-Dunu, Awkuzu
Awkuzu
Awkuzu is a town in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra state of Nigeria.-Origin:The story of Origin of Awkuzu is not quite clear. A school of thought believes Awkuzu was one of the progenies of the fifth child of Eri his only daughter called Iguedo, who is also said to have born the founders of ...
, Nteje, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Ogbunike, and Umudioka
Umudioka
Umudioka is a town in Dunukofia Local Government Area in Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria. It is made up of ten villages, and shares boundaries with neighbouring towns as follows: Ogidi, Ogbunike, Umunya, Umunnachi and Ifite-Dunu....
. In the south lies Umudioka, Idenmili LGA, and Ifite-Dunu, Njikoka
Njikoka
Njikoka is a Local Government Area in Anambra State, south-central Nigeria. Towns that make up the local government are Abagana, Enugwu-Agidi, Enugwu-ukwu, Nawfia, Nimo, Abba, Umuriam-Nawfia.-References:* dated July 21, 2007; accessed October 4, 2007...
LGA; in the north, Nteje and Nkwelle-Ezunaka; in the east, Awkuzu, and in the west, Ogbunike. The boundaries are naturally demarcated by streams. Nearly all ten villages of Umunya have their own fresh water springs. It is blessed with fertile lands; hence, its economy is based on agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
.
It is a town of ten villages namely Ezi-Umunya, Okpu, Ojobi, Umuebo, Amaezike, Ajakpani, Odumodu-Ani, Isioye, Odumodu-Enu and Ukunu. These villages are sub-grouped into Ezi, Ifite and Ikenga
Ikenga
Ikenga is a horned Alusi found among the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria. It is one of the most popular symbols of the Igbo people, and the most common cultural artifact. Astrologically, Ikenga's governing planet is Mars and its sacred number is 3...
sub-divisions, the tri-partite heritage of all Gadite H/Igbos commonly referred to in anthropological history as ERI-AWKA Igbo.
Mythical and Related History:
The founder of Umunya is called Nya who was the son in-charge of the fleets of ERU, the progenitor of the Igbos of Guinea Forest West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
. The story had it that River Omambala was joined by Isi-Ogwugwu, a fast flowing river that then encompassed the present Umunya area. Isi-Ogwugwu was believed to have created the rolling topography nature of the area as it is today. The scenic depression of Urunda towards Ogbunike is commonly cited by story-tellers, to credit this myth.
The story goes that on a certain Eke day as Nya was ferrying fishermen and farmers across the stupendous Isi-Ogwugwu water course, he was struck by a moving flash in the river that followed an unusual wave swirl. The remarkable nature of the 'whirl and twirl' of the flash made Nya to suspend work in reverence to a river goddess, whom he believed was passing to Eke market, in the west. As he went out to rest, he was shown a vision of a stone upon which he will establish a community of farmers who will become his own people. When he woke up, he discovered that the river had receded further beyond where he tied his canoe. This he took as a confirmation of his dream. He therefore settled here at the place known as "Ilo-Umuebo". This Ilo-Umuebo is now the center-court of High Justice in Umunya, where truth must be told. He brought his kinsmen and friends and founded the community known today as Umunya (UMU NYA, i.e. “Children of Nya”).
Before the advent of the whiteman, probably in the 13th or 14th century, Umunya was decimated by invaders from Igbo inland. The first of the attacks was seen as a conspiracy from within and it was responsible for the whittling down of the precursor villages of Ezi sub-group namely, Adagbe-Mpo, Mponenem, Oviabuzo and Okpuru. This incident bore hatred until commensal sacrifices were made through the Ana deity and Ana Priest installed to replace the people killed in the mayhem. By the turn of 16th century, Umunya became introduced to the Nri installed style of Leadership with Igboegbunam Odezulu-Igbo Onenulu I, instituting the Hebraic Ozo Society. He brought a mystical piece of a "Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli
Lapis lazuli is a relatively rare semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense blue color....
" chunk originally kept by Nya himself and buried it to the foundation of his Obi
Obi
Obi may refer to:* Obi , a sash worn with a kimono or with the uniforms used by practitioners of Japanese martial arts* Obi-Wan Kenobi, fictional character from the Star Wars universe...
at Umuebo. He became the first of the chieftainship of a warrior Dynasty that led Umunya until the 20th century, when the colonial authority established warrantship.
The Ozo is a trend in the life of the people much like the practice of Jewish cabala. It becomes the repository of Umunya Tradition and Culture. Formerly, it was the exclusive reserve of the “bold and prepared” men who were ready to keep the sublime truths, making them to be addressed as Nze (one who avoids evil).
Umunya, like its neighboring towns, is organized into three socio-political divisions: Ezi, Ifite, and Ikenga. This form of organization is said to be a distinguishing feature of Eri-Igbo. In view of the near extinction of Ezi-Umunya, the elders of Umunya decided on a reorganization, grouping Okpu, Amaezike and Ukunu formerly of Ifite, together with the remainder of Ezi-Umunya into a village grouping to be known as Akanano. What remained of Ifite, namely Ojobi, Umuebo, Ajakpani and Isioye were henceforth known as Okpoko, while Odumodu-Ani and Odumodu-Enu remained as Ikenga. The division of Umunya into three units-- Akanano, Okpoko, and Ikenga is both for administrative and defensive purposes.
The warrant chieftaincy for Akanano was held by Chief Nwabude, for Okpoko by Chief Nwanegbo, and for Ikenga by Chief Oraegbuna. As a peace-loving community, Umunya has been blessed with good leaders beginning with the warrant traditional ruler, Chief Nwanegbo Okocha, whose reign was from 1909 - 1930. The first publicly crowned traditional ruler came 39 years later in the person of HRM Igwe (Prof) J.C. Menakaya (Ezedioramma 1) who reigned from 1973 - 1985; followed by HRH Igwe A. N. Nwanegbo (Ezedioramma and Okocha II) who reigned from 1994 - 1997, and the current HRH Igwe, Kris C. Onyekwuluje (Eze-Nya 1) whose reign started in 1998.
In terms of self-help efforts, Umunya community, though small in size and population, has made significant achievements. Several major projects have been undertaken and executed without government help. These include the construction of the health center, a modern post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
, a community secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
, a town hall, and a community bank. Only the electrification project was jointly carried out with the state government. In the field of commerce and industry, there is a functioning commercial bank (a branch of the ACB Plc). The major industries are Tempo Mills Ltd., makers of Tempovita and flour
Flour
Flour is a powder which is made by grinding cereal grains, other seeds or roots . It is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many cultures, making the availability of adequate supplies of flour a major economic and political issue at various times throughout history...
, and the U-Gas plant. There are presently two major markets, the Afor daily and the Eke weekly markets. A modern market is under construction.
Many sons of Umunya have distinguished themselves in banking and in the civil service
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
, while others have followed the professions or are distinguished academics.