Anaku is one of the administrative divisions of Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. The town lies 6°15' North of the Equator and 6°44' East of the Greenwich Meridian. It is bordered by "Omabala," the native name of the Anambra River, which is a tributary of the River Niger (North), Aguleri, Ezu River (South), Omor and Umuerum communities (East).
The town bears the appellation "Ogbe"; which is derived from its linkage with the Benin Empire (1440–1897) of the defunct Bendel State (now Edo State) and Igala Kingdom of Kogi State in Nigeria, which also explains why Anaku is a land of warriors. Although they are Igbo people and the language is Igbo, dialects of the language can be observed in different parts of the town.
Anaku is the headquarter and seat of Ayamelum Local Government Area. It is easily accessible from Onitsha (about 29 km) and Otuocha Aguleri (about 19 km).
Regions Anaku is made up of three major villages, several quarters and kindreds, viz:
Umuria:
1.1 Akamanto 1.1.1 Akpaa 1.1.1.1 Akpaa Enu 1.1.1.2 Akpaa Chinemelu 1.1.2 Umuriaenu 1.1.2.1 Okpuno 1.1.2.2 Nebo: Ereamaka & Elimnwa 1.1.3 Umuerechi 1.1.3.1 Umuereogwum 1.1.3.2 Umuereotulu (believed to have migrated from Asaba) 1.1.3.3 Umuereoke 1.2 Anaocha 1.2.1 Umuagu 1.2.1.1 Ere Iriotu 1.2.1.2 Ndi Anachuna (believed to have migrated from Achalla) 1.2.1.3 Ndi Mgbata Na Emegini (believed to have migrated from Umuleri) 1.2.2 Umuriana 1.2.2.1 Umuchimelu 1.2.2.1.1 Ereovili 1.2.2.1.2 Erekansim 1.2.2.2 Umualodi 1.2.2.2.1 Umundunu 1.2.2.2.2 Umundiji
Ikenga: (believed to be related to Ikenga Ogidi)
2.1 Obukwu (Also referred to as Obukwu Ogbosu) 2.1.1 Umuogulu 2.1.1.1 Ayalinwa (for example, the Ajonsis) 2.1.1.2 Ndabaonochie (for example, the Onwuasa Ndubas) 2.1.1.3 Umunnagbuo (for example, the Afoejemuos) 2.1.1.4 Umuekidi (for example, the Onyedilos) 2.1.1.5 Adimmeli (for example, the Afunes) 2.1.2 Amakolum 2.1.2.1 Umundavaogbuo (for example, the Eke Okoyes), migrated from Ogbos 2.1.2.2 Akpi (for example, the Ikwege Nwakezes), migrated from Ogbosu 2.1.2.3 Umundava (for example, the Daba Mgbatas), have origin from Umuogulu and could not inter-marry with the Umuogulu until 1956 when Ejike Iveakudo performed some bond breaking tradition to allow marriages.
2.2 Atava (Also referred to as Atava Nimo / Atava Awka) 2.2.1 Isiakpume 2.2.1.1 Irukwelike (for example, the Nwobokwes) 2.2.1.2 Iruagulu (for example, the Ifeanyas), migrated from Agulu Awka 2.2.1.3 Umuekeonaga (for example, the Akwugos) 2.2.1.4 Umuerikechinwa (for example, the Umunnanemes) 2.2.2 Opuatava 2.2.2.1 Umuokpala (for example, the Ekwunifes) 2.2.2.2 Daba Chimelu (for example, the Nwekes) 2.2.3 Otobo 2.2.3.1 Iruogboo (for example, the Eboyaas) 2.2.3.2 Isamagu (for example, the Edochies) 2.2.3.3 Iruowelle Uwana (for example, the Achebes)
Umuezeagu:
3.1 Akpi 3.1.1 Ndi Chimelu 3.1.2 Umu Nwamuo 3.1.2.1 Ikwe Loti 3.1.2.2 Ikwe Iwoba 3.1.2.3 Ikwe Uchenu 3.2 Umuoka 3.2.1 Umu Ndiji 3.2.1.1 Umu Onyenka 3.2.1.2 Umu Mbinwanne 3.2.1.3 Umu Ayomma 3.2.2 Amedem 3.2.2.1 Umu Dibia Nta 3.2.2.2 Umu Okpala 3.3 Isiokwe 3.3.1 Umundum 3.3.1.1 Umuerekwelagu 3.3.1.1.1 Akojo (for example, the Ikwe Nwaliejis) 3.3.1.1.2 Ikwe Ananti (for example, the Ikwe Ogagas) 3.3.1.1.3 Nkanu (for example, the Ikwe Nwabuisis) 3.3.1.1.4 Umuerechonwa (believed to have migrated from Ikem Nando) 3.3.1.2 Umuarechi 3.3.1.2.1 Ikwe Anamu (for example, the Ere Onwuachums) 3.3.1.2.2 Ikeaja (for example, the Ikwe Nwodus) 3.3.1.2.3 Ikwe Chegbuo (for example, the Ikwe Mmawuyas) 3.3.2 Otobo (Also called Otobo Eke) 3.3.3 Umakuma (believed to have migrated from Achalla) 3.3.3.1 Okpanria 3.3.3.2 Utiokpa 3.3.3.3 Ikwe Nnora 3.3.4 Olu (Also called Mgbuda Olu) 3.4 Umuowa 3.4.1 Umu Otobo (also called Umuere Nkolo) 3.4.1.1 Umu Ikwe Erenru 3.4.1.2 Umu Ikwe Elulu 3.4.2 Iriagu 3.4.2.1 Umu Uyele 3.4.2.2 Umu Okpalechi
History African (Africa) societies have long relied on oral accounts about their past. A potential pitfall of this, however, is its ease of embellishment. The absence of written records, passage of time and the hunger for greatness have made the method most unreliable. This article attempts to address all pieces and joins gathered from different sources and times and continues to make senses out of them.
Anaku has a long and rich historical background. While it would not be possible to classify every part, Anaku is believed to have largely migrated from Benin Empire(1440–1897) of the Defunct Bendel State (now Edo State) and Igala Kingdom of Kogi State in Nigeria.
The people of the Benin Empire were ruled by the OgisoHernon, A. Britain's Forgotten Wars, p. 409 (2002) dynasty who called their land Igodomigodo. The rulers were called Ogiso. Igodo (analogous to "Gbam gbam Igodo" in Anaku traditional folk tales), the first Ogiso, wielded much influence and gained popularity as a good ruler. He died after a long reign and was succeeded by Ere (analogy of the traditional name "Eredi" in Anaku), his eldest son.
In 8th century AD, the ruling Ogiso successfully established Igodomigodo into a system of autonomous settlements. In 12th century AD, a great palace intrigue and battle for power erupted between the warrior crown Prince Ekaladerhan, son of the last Ogiso and his young paternal uncle. Angered over an oracle, Prince Ekaladerhan left the royal court and went into exile with his warriors. He earned the title of Ooni at Ile Ife and refused to return.
On leaving Benin it was informed that Ekaladerhan moved west to Yoruba. It is not clear whether some of his warriors or other warriors from the Benin Empire moved to Igala Kingdom. The Igala Kingdom was heavily influenced by Yoruba, Igbo, Bini (original founders of Benin Empire) and Jukun Kingdom.
Anaku is believed to have originated around the 17th century. At that time there was an intertribal war in the Igala Kingdom called the Apa war. At about the same time, there was another war in the Eastern Nigeria (now present Anambra State). It was called the Adda war. The warriors were strong, huge and generally black.
The natives of Anaku were descendants of General Ajida, a notable warrior of Idah origin. Ajida is the father of Field marshal Ogbe who was married to Iyida. Ogbe and Iyida had five children viz :- Nzam, Anam, Anaku, Uloshi and Okpanam. Ogbe and his family lived around Ankpa in Igala Kingdom. When the Apa and Jukun warriors invaded Igala communities, Ogbe along with many others retreated with their families through the Ibaji jungle, moving southwards along the course of the River Niger. As they journeyed, the children of Ogbe, for one reason or the other settled themselves at their present locations.
Meanwhile, some parts of Anaku are believed to have migrated from Nkanu Enugu State, Ossomala Ogbaru Local Government Area, Ogbosu Uzo Uwani Local Government Area, Ogidi Idemili North Local Government Area, Awka Anambra State Capital and Olu (Olumbanasa, Anambra West Local Government Area).
Anaku has relationship with the following towns: Ukwala Ogbe, Obosi Ukwala, Ifite Anam (also known as Iyiora), Okija Obosi and Ulosi Ogbe. Traditionally, the indigenes of the mentioned towns should not break the colanut where an indigenous person of Anaku is because all the towns mentioned descended from Anaku.
During colonial era in Nigeria, the people of Anaku and Ayamelum in general were hostile to and refused to welcome the early missionaries and their activities. Early schools and colleges in Nigeria were built and maintained by the missionaries. There was no primary six school in Ayamelum until one was built at Umumbo in 1952. By that time, schools, colleges, churches and vocational centers abounded in all other Igbo hinterlands except in Abakiliki and in Olumbanasa. Many Igbo lands also had many university graduates at that time. This is a big gap between Anaku and the other Igbo communities.
Odogwu institution
The Odogwu (Ajogwu in Igala Kingdom) institution is common among the five children of Field Marshal Ogbe. The Odogwu is the custodian and traditional Minister of defense council. The Odogwu of Anaku is always from Umundum kindred which is made up of Umuarechi and Umuezekwelagu. He works very closely with his warriors (Ozo Odogwu), who are drawn from different quarters of the town.
Past Odogwu of Anaku and their quarters / kindred, in chronological order, are :- Odogwu Ogaga (Umuezekwelagu) Ere Onwuachuna (Umuarechi) Odogwu Mmawule (Umuarechi) Ikwe Okoye (Umuarechi) Ikwe Nwalieji (Umuerekwelagu) Odogwu Edoruno Akwuu (Umuerekwelagu) Odogwu Ikegbuna Mbosiru(Umuarechi), assisted by Nnebuife Obidike Odogwu Edoruno Nweke (Umuarechi), assisted by Mbanefo Nweke Odogwu Ozoemena Duaka (Umuerekwelagu), assisted by John Okechukwu Odogwu Chukwunonso Ekwuye (Umuarechi), assisted by Tony Mbuje
Politics and government Anaku is characterized by decentralized system of government, before and after British colonial era, whereby power is vested in different groups, such as, the Ndi Ichie as the highest decision-making body of the community, the age grades, the Umuadas and the Odogwu of the community as the traditional Minister of Defense. Just like every other Igbo hinterland, colonization (1900-1960) was not easy in Anaku due to this established system of government.
The colonial masters divided Southern Nigeria into three provinces, for administrative purposes, namely: (a) The Western or Lagos Province, comprising the former Colony of Lagos and its Protectorate, with headquarters in Lagos; (b) The Central or Niger Province with headquarters at Warri; (c) The Eastern or Calabar Province, with headquarters at Calabar. The Central and Eastern Provinces comprised what was formerly known as the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria. A Provincial Commissioner presided over each Province sub-divided into Districts under the charge of District Commissioners and Assistant District Commissioners. In the annual report of the Central or Niger Province (1910), the Province was divided into four divisions; the first three previously had distinct administrative peculiarities. These were: (a) The Delta Districts of Warri, Sapele and Forcados; (b) The Benin District and the Districts of Ifon, Ishan, Agbor and Kwale; (c) The Niger Districts of Abo, Onitsha, Asaba and Idah; (d) The new Districts of Awka, Udi and Okwoga.
In the wake of colonial rule, the Ayamelum Clan was included in the Onitsha District of the Central province, as indicated in section B11 of the map of Southern Nigeria in 1905. Evidently, the Ayamelum Clan bounced back to the Awka District shortly after the District was opened in 1904. A confirmation is contained in Southern Nigeria Civil Service List and Handbook, 1907, which listed Ayamelum under the District of Awka. R.M. Heron was the Acting District Commissioner, Oka (sic), from 26 June 1906, to 31 December 1906.
The natives of Awka District were Ibos, and various dialects of the Igbo language were spoken. With the exception of the Hausas and a few Christian converts, people were pagan. There were Hausa settlements in the north of the District with headquarters at Umerum and Ogurugu. Few converts were made to the Muslim religion. The Church Missionary Society and the Roman Catholic Mission had stations and schools in the District, but the education given was elementary, and the attendance in schools was low and irregular.