Photo Illustration 

Umu-Dioka Village in Neni via a man known as Akikpo migrated from Ngoka family from Ugwu village in Umudioka Dunukofia with his wife and few others (Umudioka Ezenu) in (c. 1640s) which is over 380s years ago as at 2026.

Dunu dwelled in Oke-Ofia (English translation; Great Bush) happened to be one of the passionate spiritual priest (Ndi Nri) to Eze Nri, widely known for their ritual facial scarification begot Dioka who happened to be his 4th son, the man whose his descendents through his charisma, founded many "Dioka" settlements in every part of Igbo Kingdoms (Southern Nigeria). 


While the Eze Nri lived relatively secluded from his followers, he employed a group of officials called ndi Nri. These were ritual specialists, easily identifiable by facial scarifications or ichi, who traveled with ritual staffs of peace in order to purify the earth from human crimes (Tradition) and as well as perform traditional surgery. The ndi Nri exercised authority over wide areas of Igboland and had the power to install the next eze Nri.

Areas under Nri influence, called Odinani Nri, were open to Ndi Nri traveling within them to perform rituals and ensure bountiful harvest or restore harmony in local affairs. Local men within the odinani Nri could represent the eze Nri and share his moral authority by purchasing a series of ranked titles called Ozo and Nze. Men with these titles were known as mbùríchi and became an extension of the Nri's religio-political system. They controlled the means for agriculture and determined guilt or innocence in disputes.

Both the Ndi Nri priests and mbùríchi nobility belonged to the Ikénga, the right hand. The Ìkénga god was one dedicated to achievement and power, both of which were associated with the right hand.

Dioka dwelled at his fathers place (present day Dunukofia) while his descendents travelled as far as in all parts of Igbo Kingdoms in perfection of Nri's traditions. However, Umu-dioka village in Neni was among the descendants of Dioka. It was some migrants from Ngoka family from Ugwu village in Umudioka town (in the present day Dunukofia) that migrated to Neni.

Umudioka Neni Genealogy (Article Expansion);

Akikpo was the progenitor of Umudioka Neni (Ezenne, 2005), and that his four children founded the four large families of Umudioka. These families or kindreds are Umueze-Imeke, Umuojiaku, Umuakolom and Obuone. Akikpo was the man from Ngoka family from ugwu village in Umudioka Dunukofia (Mgbataogu, 2014).

It was noted that Akikpo set out on a journey with his wife and only child, Imeke in order to save his family as a result of the persecution he suffered from his people. Imeke is the head of Akikpo dynasty in Neni today. On his arrival at Neni, Akikpo settled at the present Amakpu square located within Ndiagu Umudioka. He was later blessed with a second male called Anaekwe.

Later he married a second wife from Ezennaboye family of Etitinabo village Neni from whom he had two other sons; Akolom and Onee. Akolom and Onee are the forebears of Umuakolom and Obuene kindreds. Akolom begot Onyekuba who also begot Ogbuewu and Izu. Izu begot Ojiaku, Akpu, Dimasua and Ezenwoye. Anaekwe later married Ojiaku, an act that led to the loss of his name from history. Ojiaku being a rich, fearless and tough woman bequeathed her name to her descendants, hence the Umuojiaku kindred.

Akikpo later relocated to the present Umuezeimeke as a result of the invitation of his in-laws for protection against their rival settlers. This relocation accounts is controversial. But it is a fact that Umudioka Neni have dual settlements of his descendants in both Ndiagu and Obuno sections of the Umudioka village. 

Umudioka simply means ‘the Children of Dioka’. Apart from hunting and farming, Dioka when he become of age, seeks his own path but too passionate about facial scarification (Igbu-ichi) as his profession. With the blessing of his father Dunu who also gave him mmanka (a sharp-knife used in this scarification made by Awka blacksmiths). Dioka travelled in some parts of Igbo land and trained other people in this profession and also traditional surgery.

So in the entire Igbo land, it was Okaichi/Dioka and his children that had the mmanka and are the only ones that gave the ichi marks. Note that ichi marks are not the same as tribal marks. Igbu Ichi is more like a signature of Dioka people.

By the virtue of their profession, Dioka and his children were great travellers equalled only by the people of Awka (blacksmiths). The ancestral home of Umudioka people in old parts of Nigeria is located in the present day Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State. It is located at about twenty five kilometers from Onitsha town along Onitsha-Enugu old road.

However, as a result of the itinerant nature of the occupation of the Dioka lineage, they spread and settled in various communities of Igbo land. Hence, Umudioka people are found in Neni and over 18 other settlements across the country.

Settlements:
1. Dioka, fourth son of Dunu (Son of "Nwa" Okofia) are the present day Dunukofia, a Local Government in Anambra State, Nigeria. Umudioka Town in Dunukofia still answer Oka N' Ichi.

2. Umudioka village in Neni (Umudioka Ezenu), Anambra State. It was a man from Ngoka family from Ugwu village, Umudioka that migrated to Neni.

3. Umudioka village in Awka (Ajajaja Awka), Anambra State. They settled at Awka as a result of Ije osu.

4. Umudioka Orlu (Ije Osu), Imo State. It was born out of ije osu business.

5. Umudioka village Awkuzu, Anambra State. They originated from Umuezechua village, Umudioka Dunukofia.

6. Umudioka village Okija, Anambra State.

7. Umudioka Nzam Town, Anambra West LGA, Anambra State.

8. Umudioka village Achalla, Awka Anambra State.

9. Umudioka Obote (Ngwaland in Abia state).

10. Umudioka (dialectic pronounced as Umudioga) in Ikwerre LGA, Rivers State.

11. Asa Umudioka" in Osisioma, Abia State.

12. Umudioha in Ezeagu LGA Enugwu state

13. Dioka in Nzerem Ehime Mbano, Imo state 

14. Umudioka in Amaigbo in the Imo State.

15. Umudioga, Emuoha, Rivers State.

16. Orlu local Government Area Imo State, they have three traditional kingdoms - Owerre Umudioka, Umudioka Ukwu and Umudioka Ancient Kingdom.

17. Umudioka in Amiri, Nkanu West LGA, Enugu State.

18. Umudioka kindred in Ojoto Town, Anambra State.

19. Umudioka in Cross River

20. Umudioka in Anioma Delta State 

21. Umudioka community in Obosi: Umunnaju family in Uru-owulu migrated from Umudioka in Dunukofia. Umunnaji kindred in Uru-owulu with some of their brothers that migrated and settled permanently with Umunweshi kindred in Ugammuma village obosi kingdom.


All of these settlements are historically known as specialist surgeons who carried out the Igbu Ichi and Isu Nki Scarification, Itu Mbubu (body-marking from neck to belly) and Iwa eze (tooth filing) (Agbo et al, 2019).

Igbu Ichi was the most prominent among the occupation of Umudioka. It is a kind of facial mark cut all over the forehead down to the two sides of the face (Ezenne, 2005).

Describing the importance of Igbu Ichi and its benefit to the Diokas, Udeze (2018) explains that “Umudioka community Neni are famous in this area of tattoing “Igbu Ichi, Itu mbubu, Isu nki na Iwa Eze”… Before the advent of Western Civilization, Umudioka were travelers and were noble, disciplined, trusted and respected people who could not be killed, abducted for slave trade or poisoned by anybody, town or otherwise because of their natural gifted occupation.

Only Umudioka by its Nwadioka would confirm the initiation of any intended title holder by tattoing such a person before his initiation. It was a taboo for any person to be initiated into the title-taking without being tattoed by Nwadioka. Even up till today, if you have that mark on your face, no security agent could disturb you or disgrace you. The trade is well destined to Umudioka by the Almighty God”.

The implication of the above explanation is that the Diokas were taken as a special breeds in Igbo land because of their craftsmanship embedded in their God-given art of Igbu Ichi.

In the olden days, Igbu Ichi was the requirement for Ozo title taking. No one can be admitted into the Ozo title class without first obtaining the Ichi tattoo. Again, anyone with the Ichi tattoo is regarded highly anywhere.

Infact, it is a mark of royalty per se. As a result, such a person cannot be sold into slavely, poisoned, kidnapped or harmed by anyone in any way since the person is considered to be enjoying the protection of the Gods.

The Mmanka festival is a way Umudioka celebrates herself and their ancestors. Mgbemena (2018) calls it a festival of renaissance and a reminder of the great Umudioka heritage. It is a celebration of the Umudioka occupational art of Igbu ichi.

Ezenne (2005) highlights that Mmanka/Nkadioka festival is a thanksgiving ceremony by Umudioka sons to their ancestors for granting them success in their occupation during the year. It was also an opportunity for a head count of all Umudioka sons and daughters who have travelled far and wide to perform their professional duties.

This is why all Umudioka indigenes must come home for the ceremony. If anyone is found missing, a search party was sent to locate him.

Let us focus on the festival in the ancient times in order to appreciate the point opportunity for a head count of all Umudioka sons and daughters who have travelled far and wide to perform their professional duties. This is why all Umudioka indigenes must come home for the ceremony. If anyone is found missing, a search party was sent to locate him. Let us focus on the festival in the ancient times in order to appreciate the point of crisis with the Church in modern times.

When the migrants came, they assisted Enenina Ubosi descendents in protection of their territory, the powerful nature of the migrants causes their 'forceful expansion' as per landmass. The migrants grabbed lands from all their neighbors for sole purpose of expansion creating an extension of the village to Ndi Bi Na Agu. Furthermore, they share common boundaries Eziaja village, Etitinabo village, Amakwa Kindred, Adazi-Ani, Adazi-Nnukwu and Oraukwu town.

This research was compiled by Hon. Fidelis Kene Chiekezie of Eziaja, Neni, a Wikipedia editor, historian, promoter, blogger and writer, drawing from cited historical and cultural works. For enquiries: [email protected]