This Article Contains The Following:
a. Background
b. Origin
c. Villages
d. Institutions domiciled
e. Random
f. Conclusion
Background:
Umunze Town is the headquarters of Orumba south LGA in Anambra state of Nigeria. It shared boundaries with Owerre Ezukala, Umuchu, Umualaoma in Imo State, Eziagu, Isulo, Ihite, Ogbunka, Isuochi in Abia state and Umuomaku.
The town have fast developed due to establishments such as tertiary institutions, commercial banks, hotels and more. It is among most populous cities in Anambra after Onitsha, Nnewi, Nkpor, Ogidi, Awada Obosi, Ekwuluobia, Oko, etc.
Origin
The name Umunze was coined from the name of the progenitor (or originator) "Nze" meaning the descendant of Nze. This is about 1476 during the time of extreme drought. "Nze Izo Ezema" was a farmer and hunter all the way from Ohafia near Arochukwu in the present day Abia State.
He wandered the forest of his normal hunting and discoveries when he came across a very fertile land full of arable crops and he liked it. He settled and was very comfortable considering the weather and other climatic factors. He went back to his father and told him about his new home and also ask for wives. His father saw his behaviour and equipped him with necessities. He was given a mother shrine that has a stream known as Izo mmiri (the present Izo in the eke izo square) with two wives and a slave to the Izo. He settled first at Akpu Mgbatiri Okpa situated at Umuizo today. His wives Mrs Lolo and Ijendu. Lolo gave birth to 7 sons and 1 daughter and Ijendu had 1 son. Izo was Nze's father's name in Ohahia: Ezema was the family village name in Ohafia.
The Sons and Daughter Of Lolo:
Lolo gave birth to 7 sons and 1 daughter as listed below:
1. Nso- the descendants that formed Nsogwu.
2. Ugwu (Ojimgba)- the descendants that formed Ugwunano.
3. Uragu- the descendants that formed Lomu.
4. Ishingwu- the descendants that formed Ubaha.
5. Cheke- the descendants that formed Ururo.
6. Okpontu- the descendants that formed Ozara.
7. Diala- the descendants that formed Amuda.
However, the daughter was married to an immigrant from Isunjaba in the present day Imo State. The immigrant became a neighbor to Nze and now the present day Isulo (Umunze treats any girl from Isulo as Ada in any ceremony till today). Ijendu the first wife born one child; Dara (1st son), who is the father and founder of Eziagu, a neighboring town, after a family problem.
War separated the two wives after the death of Nze that made Dara (the first son of Nze) to demand absolute control of the empire but war was waged by the combined forces of his half brothers and they forced him to move out of the empire and enter into Agu which is called IKPA (Ikpa Agu: In English, Thick Bush) according to Umunze language. Dara blessed with many children which formed the origin of Eziagu, he settled in the western part of the area.
The slave that came with Nze was blessed by Nze but when he died and he was regarded as the father since he takes care of the entire kingdom after the death of Nze Izo Ezema. He became the present Umuizo where the entire Umunze gathered.
There are many immigrants from other towns that migrated to join Umunze and form the town. A good example is parts of (Umualaoma) Isuokpu when the famous wars with Izuogu and Iheme (notorious inglorious slave trader and murderer from Arochukwu and Awka respectively) who they hosted benevolently and innocently and who stabbed Isuokpu people at the back by going to bring mercenaries from Abam to fight the Isuokpu in order that Izuogu and Iheme could take their land and settle at the time of abolition of slave trade by the British. Parts of Isieke and Obinohia people in Umuallaoma who migrated to Umunze to escape one type of punishment or the other are now part and parcel of Umunze.
Ihite Umuenze (now Ihite) is rich in people from Umualaoma who ran from wars and humiliations from punishments from other types of deed or the other. One powerful man from Isuokpu (Umualaoma) called Ezerioha Udensi (father of Ezeagwula Ezerioha) of Obiokwara (Umudim), Obinihu was responsible for keeping the dangerously advancing Aros and their slaves in a "fight of life for land" in check. He organized Isuokpu, Umunze and Ihite people and neighbours to form a powerful militia group that restricted the advance of the Aros from Okigwe area. At the same time Ezerioha Udensi charismatically encouraged some communities in the present Okigwe and Orlu Divisions to allocate the Aros some land since the Aros and their slaves could not go to nowhere having been blocked at Okigwe by the white man who ensured that slave trade was stopped. Using this strategy, Ezerioha Udensi stopped the numerous wars and guerrilla warfare against the Aros and ensured the survival of many indigenous communities and that the Aros did not reach Umunze.
Umunze maintains a special relationship with the Obiokwara Obinihu people, shown by exchange of goodwill at Obi Ezerioha in Isuokpu masquerade ceremonies and at Nkwo Umunze or palace of Abalikete (up to Ugochukwu reign) at Okuka and other ceremonies. The neighbors of Umunze are Umualaoma in Imo State; Aro Ndizuogu in Imo State; Eziagu, Isulo, Ezira, Ihite, Ogbunka, Umuchu, Nneato in Abia State, Umuomaku and Nawfija. Its people are mainly farmers and traders. The traditional ruler is called Abalikete and its people Nze, hence the name "Umunze".
Villages And Taboos:
1. Nsogwu
2. Ugwunano
3. Lomu
4. Ubaha
5. Ururo
6. Ozara
7. Amuda
These 7 sons of Nze settled at different locations which today make up the town's villages:
All the villages have unique traditions and taboos:
1. Nsogwu forbids Dog and cannot be charmed when under the guide of nzu ngene.
2. Ugwunano forbids Hyena (Edi)
3. Lomu are guided by a police incarnated [Ngene Ojii]
4. Ubaha have the ability to lay and cleanse Charms on Farmland (Iwa Ogboro).
5. Ozara forbids Snail
These 7 sons settled at different locations which today formed a town called Umunze. The sons as you see today formed the seven villages we are today.
Heritage and Infrastructures:
1. Umunze is well known for their Nkpokiti and Atilogwu International cultural dance. Their popular symbols include a double branched palm tree (which is rare, yet unique to our region) and a statue of our first King, Igwe Abilikete 1 of Umunze.
2. Churches:
a. St Joseph Catholic Church
b. St Anthony's Catholic Church
c. SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church
d. Christ Present Truth Assembly
e. St Christopher Anglican Church, etc
3. Hotels and Hospital:
a. Rest Assured Resort and Hotel LTD
b. Vista Millennium Hotel and Resorts, etc
4. Educational institutions
a. Renaissance Academy Nursery/ Primary School
b. Demonstration Secondary School
c. BMC College Umunze
d. Madonna Girls Secondary School
e. Federal College of Education: Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze in Anambra State is one of the eight (8) colleges of Education (Technical) established by Decree No. 4 of 14th march, 1986.
It's establishment was facilitated by late Igwe (Dr.) M.N. Ugochukwu, LLB, OFR, and the Pioneer Provost Dr. T.I. Eze who imputed uncommon efforts towards ensuring the great citadel of learning became a reality.
At its inception, the College moved to Umunze in November 1989, following a presidential directive. At Umunze, the Institution inherited edifices of the former All Saints Anglican Secondary School. At present, the infrastructures inherited from the school are being renovated and refashioned, as it were, to reflect the grandeur and convenience of a technical teacher institution.
5. Markets:
a. Nkwo Umunze Ultramodern market
b. Umunze Timber market
c. Ekenabo daily market
d. Afor Oruru market, etc
6. Healthcares:
a. Umunze Health Post
b. Primary Health Center, Nsogwu
c. Aguata Diocesan Hospital, etc
Random:
There are lots of interesting fetishes and beliefs in Umunze but particularly in Ubaha Ishingwu (descendants of Ezema’s third son). It is believed that they have the power to lay charms and cleanse farmlands of charms as well. This can be likened to the roles of the biblical Levites. Ubaha people are also forbidden to kill pythons because of the belief that pythons protected them in historic battles.
Some prominent sons and daughters of Umunze include Emeka Sibeudu – former Anambra State Deputy Governor, Chief Jonah Eze – Chairman DeeJones oil and gas, Chinedu Okoli (Flavour N’abania) – Famous Musician, Princess Chinwe Nnabuife – Philanthropist and Business woman, Ms Nikky Ugochukwu – Politician, Igwe Promise Eze – The Village King and Business man, Sir Felix Mbogu – retired educationist and author of the book The Coming of Christianity in Umunze , to mention a few and yours faithfully Chidimma Ijeoma Okoli.
Furthermore, the history of Ohafia, on the account of Sir Akuma Kalu Njoko stressed about the people of Umunze, how those trying to escape from slave trade dispersed to different places in Southern Nigeria.
This was happening while Igbo dispersal and migration was still taking place, enormous amount of victims became available for sale. And throughout that tragic event, those driven away by Ohafia warriors became goods or chattel for Aro traders. Slave raiding in the Igbo hinterland led to the settlement of Ohafia (in Anambra), Akanu (in Azumini), Akanu Ngwa, etc. Ibibio na Ngwa, etc"
The clans with ties to Ohafia well known. These clans gather annually at Ibeku in what is called Ibeku Ancestral Home coming. Ohafia (the progenitor of Ohafia) and Ibeku were siblings. Ututu (in Arochukwu L.G.A.) Umuchieze (in Umunneochi L.G.A), Odume (in Aninri L.G.A., Enugu State).
Conclusion
Umunze Town migrated from Ohafia having the founding father as Nze who married two wives, his sons alongside immigrants from other towns made up the seven (7) villages in Umunze.
The only daughter of Nze Married to an immigrant from Isunjaba and settled where they are (today known as Isulo).
Source: www.throwbacktimes.com.ng