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Ágwà
Ọ̀hà Ágwà | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Giant Uzhi tree at Obudi, Ágwà | |
| Motto(s): Udo, ịdị n'otu, na Ọganihu | |
  Ágwà | |
| Coordinates: 5°33′35″N 6°53′00″E / 5.55972°N 6.88333°E | |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| States | Imo State |
| LGA | Oguta LGA |
| Villages | |
| Government | |
| • Type | Traditional Republicanism, Councillorship |
| • Body | Traditional Chiefs of autonomous communities, Elected Ward Councillors |
| Area | |
| • Total | [2]259 km2 (Formatting error: invalid input when rounding sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 230,000[1] |
| • Density | 888/km2 (2,300/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Onye Ágwà, Ńdé Agwa,Agwarian |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
| Postcode | 464111,464112[3] |
| Religion | Christianity, Omenala |
Agwa is an agrarian community in the easternmost part of Oguta LGA of Imo State, lying 22 kilometres East of Oguta town,and 15 kilometres West of the Owerri Capital Territory,[4]
Geography
edit
The Agwa region is situated on the East banks of the Orashi and Njaba Rivers, at the crossroads of Igbo culture, surrounded by the Oru (Riverine Igbo) to the West, the Isu to the North, the Uratta clusters to the East, and the Ohaji to the South[5].
Agwa is located in a lowland area, nestled within the verdant tropical rainforests of the Lower Niger plains. It shares its borders with Ogbaku in Mbaitolu LGA to the North, Ejemekwuru and Izombe in Oguta LGA to the West, Amakohia-Ubi and Okuku in Owerri West LGA to the East, and Amafor, Obogwe, and Egbema communities in Ohaji/Egbema L.G.A to the Southwest and South, all within Imo State.[6][7].
The Agwa clan's territory constitutes 24.3% of the landmass of Oguta LGA. However, the area occupied by Agwa settlements is only 10.5km², accounting for merely 7.7% of the entire landmass of the Agwa territory. The remaining 92.3% of the territory comprises farmlands and conserved forests.
Although there are no rivers or streams within the clan itself, Agwa falls within the river basins of the Orashi and Njaba rivers. Historically, aside from rainfall, the main sources of water were ponds, wells, and tree trunks, with the rivers in neighbouring Egbema providing additional water resources[8][9]
According to oral traditions and myths, it is believed that a tributary of the Orashi River once extended to Agwa before disappearing, reportedly due to a dispute with the people of Agwa over meeting the demands of the water spirit[10][11].
In historical texts, the town was previously referred to as Obudi-Agwa. This naming convention arose from the establishment of a colonial native court and dispensary at Obudi village after the Anglo-Aro war. However, this was later rectified to accurately reflect the name of the town[12][13][14][15][16]
Demography
editThe Agwa people, a distinct and significant clan situated in the Igbo heartland, are integral to the Oratta cluster of the Southern Igbo, recognized as the Owerri group from a historical and anthropological perspective.[17] Renowned for their belligerent nature, war might, and their audacity, courage, and bravery,[18][19] Agwa people have a longstanding history of successful warfare, particularly in the context of territorial expansion[20], manifested in recurring disputes with neighboring communities over land.
Linguistically, the Agwa people speak a unique dialect of Igbo, sharing similarities with the dialect spoken by the Oratta clusters or the Owerri group.[21] Notably, the Agwa dialect is distinguished by its unique tone, accentuation, semantics, and phonology. It is characterized by a strong accent and an imposing tone, setting it apart from other Igbo dialects.[22]
In terms of population, the Agwa clan holds the distinction of being the most populous clan in Oguta Local Government Area (LGA)[23] and ranks as the second largest clan in the entire Imo State based on indigenous population, second only to Mbieri in Mbaitolu LGA.[24] Within Oguta LGA, the Agwa clan constitutes the majority of the voting strength, with three out of the eleven wards. Specifically, the population of Agwa alone constitutes 27.2% of the entire population of Oguta LGA.
Historical population figures reveal that the 1963 census, controversially rejected by the Eastern Regional Government for deflating the population[25] [26]reported the population of Agwa at 29,000.[27] Conversely, a 1969 US report estimated the population of the clan to be around 75,000.[28] Presently, the population is estimated to exceed 230,000 [29]with approximately 35% of the population residing outside the clan.
Remarkably, the Agwa people have a notable presence in various cities within and outside Imo State, especially in Owerri, Port-Harcourt, Lagos, Onitsha, Enugu and Abuja, as well as in several countries around the world.
The Agwa Central Union (ACU) plays a pivotal role in integrating all home and diaspora town unions for community development.[30] Religiously, the Agwa people are predominantly Christians, with a substantial Roman Catholic population.[31] Despite the influence of Christianity, a sizable population still adheres to traditional religions, with recent years witnessing a resurgence of interest in the traditional religion.[32][33]
History
edit
Notes
edit- ^ Ozor, Nduka (23 September 2015). "Widow's Empowerment Program". Nduka Ozor.
Agwa community is located in the Eastern Part of Nigeria. Eighty-five percent of the people are predominantly Catholics. The town has a total population of about 230,000 people with two catholic parishes, one public post primary school and, three private post-primary schools.
- ^ Committee on the Judiciary, United States Congress (1969). Relief Problems in Nigeria-Biafra: Hearings Before the Subcommittee to Investigate Problems Connected with Refugees and Escapees. U.S Government Printing Office.
- ^ "Obudi agwa Imo - Nigeria Postcode".
- ^ Unagha,Amanze.Agwa in Perspective,Gifas & Associates, 2004,p.11.
- ^ Jones, G.I; Forde, Daryll (1950). 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒃𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒃𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒐 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉-𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂: Ethnographic Survey of Africa, Western Africa part III. London: Oxford University Press for the International African institute.
- ^ "Agwa at a Glance". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ Unagha, Amanze (2004). Agwa in Perspective. Lagos: Gifas & Associates. p. 11.
- ^ Ifesinachi Nwadike (10 November 2021). The Ludicrousness of “Ungodly Things” An essay on African Christians and the destruction of African heritages (Report). Kalahari Review. p. 1. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
Agwa has no river, no lake, no dam...what used to obtain in time past was Ọmi — a water preservation system that collated and retained rainwater in a large dugout hole over a period
- ^ "Agwa at a Glance". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ Unagha, Amanze (2004). Agwa in Perspective. Lagos: Gifas & Associates. p. 11.
- ^ Ifesinachi Nwadike (10 November 2021). The Ludicrousness of “Ungodly Things” An essay on African Christians and the destruction of African heritages (Report). Kalahari Review. p. 1. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
A misunderstanding between Ogbuide, the river goddess, the guardian of the lake and the then Chief Priest, led to the departure of that side of the river from my town
- ^ Unagha, Amanze (2004). Agwa in Perspective. Lagos: Gifas & Associates. p. 10.
The name Agwa has been erroneously known outside as Obudi-Agwa.This is a misconception
- ^ Eastern Nigeria (Nigeria) Agriculture Division (1962). Report 1960/1961-1963/1964 (Report). Government Printer 1962. p. 31.
- ^ Jones, G.I; Forde, Daryll (1962). 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒃𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒃𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒐 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉-𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂: Ethnographic Survey of Africa, Western Africa part III. London: Oxford University Press.
- ^ Nigeria Federal Census Office (1964). Population Census of Nigeria, 1963: Eastern Region. Lagos: Federal Census Office. p. 6.
- ^ Ekechi, Felix (1989). Tradition in Eastern Nigeria:a sociopolitical history of Owerri and its hinterland,1902-1947. Ohio: Kent State University Press. ISBN 0873383680.
- ^ Jones, G.I; Forde, Daryll (1962). 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒃𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒃𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒐 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉-𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂: Ethnographic Survey of Africa, Western Africa part III. London: Oxford University Press for the International African institute. p. 144.
- ^ "Agwa at a Glance". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ PIND (2021). Conflict Resolution in Agwa Clan in Oguta Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State by a Network of Peace Actors–A Case Study (Report). Foundation for Partnership in the Niger-Delta. p. 3.
The Agwa Clan is historically known as the ancient warriors' kingdom
- ^ Sylvester Chukwuemeka (18 June 2024). "AGWA DEVELOPMENT: A HISTORICAL APPRAISAL AND PROJECTING THE FUTURE". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
With an increased population, they started the " expansionist project." The large expanse of arable land we have today is to their credit
- ^ Igyor, Doris (19 January 2009). "Count Us Out of Proposed Njaba, Orashi States". Nigeria. Abuja. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
with their brothers and sisters in Owerri, Ihiagwa, Nekede, Irete, Uratta, etc, because they enjoy mutual culture and language affinity
- ^ Unagha, Amanze (2004). Agwa in Perspective. Lagos: Gifas & Associates. p. 12-13. ISBN 9780647988.
...her dialect contains a lot of tonal mixture... differentiated from the dialects of the other towns around it by high accent that characterizes their speech
- ^ Uzoaru, Stanley (20 February 2023). "10 communities,100 villages endorse Izunaso for Imo West senate". Owerri. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
Agwa clan is about half of the population of the entire Oguta LGA. Whereas the people of Agwa Clan comprising the three INEC Wards: (i) Mgbala/Ubah Ward (ii) Obudi/Aro Ward, and (iii) Uwaorie Ward
- ^ "Agwa at a Glance". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
She is the second most single-populated clan in Imo State after Ogwa-Mbieri ... and the highest in Oguta.
- ^ Ajayi, Rotimi; Fashagba, Joseph Yinka (2020). Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development. Springer Nature. p. 69. ISBN 9783030505097.
- ^ National Population Commission. "HISTORY OF POPULATION CENSUS IN NIGERIA". www.nationalpopulation.gov.ng/. National Population Commission. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
The 1963 census exercise despite the controversies it generated especially its rejection by Governors of Eastern and Midwestern Nigeria who went to the Supreme Court to contest the results, but lost was accepted by the Federal Government.
- ^ Nigeria Federal Census Office (1964). Population Census of Nigeria, 1963: Eastern Region. Lagos: Nigeria: Federal census Office.
- ^ Committee on the Judiciary, United States Congress (1969). Relief Problems in Nigeria-Biafra: Hearings Before the Subcommittee to Investigate Problems Connected with Refugees and Escapees... U.S Government Printing Office.
- ^ Ozor, Nduka (23 September 2015). "Widow's Empowerment Program". ndukao.blogspot.com. Nduka Ozor. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
Agwa community is located in the Eastern Part of Nigeria. Eighty-five percent of the people are predominantly Catholics. The town has a total population of about 230,000 people with two catholic parishes, one public post primary school and, three private post-primary school.
- ^ "Agwa at a Glance". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
What the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo is to the Igbo tribe, is what ACU is to the Agwa clan/The ADF is the apex forum for all Agwa sons and daughters living outside Nigeria. It is a platform for the socioeconomic advancement of the Agwa clan and membership welfare
- ^ Ozor, Nduka (23 September 2015). "Widow's Empowerment Program". ndukao.blogspot.com. Nduka Ozor. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
Agwa community is located in the Eastern Part of Nigeria. Eighty-five percent of the people are predominantly Catholics
- ^ Nnoruga, James (2023). "Examining the Sudden Religious Change in the South-East Nigeria in the Light of Horton's Theory of Religious Change". Nigerian Journal Of African Studies (NJAS). 5 (3): 59. ISSN 2734-3146.
Over the last decade, the South-East Nigeria has seen ...an unprecedented number of votaries going back to the Igbo/African traditional religion.
- ^ Nwadike, Chinedu (25 February 2024). "On the Resurgence of African Traditional Religion". The Forum Newspaper. No. 13 (808 ed.). Orlu: Catholic Diocese of Orlu. p. 13.
You have heard it whispered in some corners and also witnessed a series of arguments boldly presented in public places that... it is time to return to African Traditional Religion... In this regard, a growing number of youths (a very small fraction now anyway) are distancing themselves from Christian religious practices and teachings they were nurtured in since childhood and renouncing Christianity.
References
edit1.Unagha, Amanze (2004). Agwa in Perspective. Lagos: Gifas & Associates.
2.Nigeria Postcode (2014). "Obudi-Agwa Imo Postal Code". Nigeriapostcode.com. Nigerian Postal Code Directory. Retrieved March 27, 2024. 464112
3. Emereole, Walter; Nkwocha, Anthony (December 2020). "Ndigbo and the Enigma of an Unsettled Historical Origin; a Contribution to an Unending Dialogue". Port Harcourt Journal Of History & Diplomatic Studies. 7 (4): 85–101.
4. Talbolt, Percy; Mulhall, H (1962). The Physical Anthropology of Southern Burger. New York. ISBN 9781107652026.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
5. Njoku, Constance; Onyeanu, Lilian; Anyaele, Michael (2020). "ORAL Tradition As Source Of Sustenance Of Traditional Values: A Study Of The Legendary Mbaeri Nwaotuoke, Founder Of The People Of Mbieri Of Imo State". Nigerian Social Science Education Review. 4 (1): 36–47.
6.Isichei, Elizabeth (1976). A History of the Igbo People. London: Macmillan press.
7. Nzimiro, Ikenna (1972). Studies in Ibo Political Systems: Chieftaincy and Politics in Four Niger States. University of California Press. p. 15.
8. Committee on the Judiciary, United States Congress (1969). Relief Problems in Nigeria-Biafra: Hearings Before the Subcommittee to Investigate Problems Connected with Refugees and Escapees. U.S Government Printing Office.
9. Ifesinachi Nwadike (10 November 2021). The Ludicrousness of “Ungodly Things” An essay on African Christians and the destruction of African heritages (Report). Kalahari Review. p. 1. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
10. Anudu, Odinaka (3 July 2020). "How gas firms, Imo government exploit oil-producing communities". BusinessDay Investigation. Owerri. Retrieved 23 June 2024.Agwa in Oguta hosts Sterling Global Oil Exploration and Energy Company.
11. Uba, Don (2 April 2018). "Imo Community, Oil Firm At War Over Breach Of Agreement". Lead Stories. Owerri. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
12. Ozor, Nduka (23 September 2015). "Widow's Empowerment Program". Nduka Ozor. Retrieved 23 June 2024. Agwa community is located in the Eastern Part of Nigeria. Eighty-five percent of the people are predominantly Catholics. The town has a total population of about 230,000 people with two catholic parishes, one public post primary school and, three private post-primary school.
13. Igyor, Doris (19 January 2009). "Count Us Out of Proposed Njaaba, Orashi States". Nigeria. Abuja. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
14. Uchenwoke Ekperechi, John Mbonu (23 May 2024). "UZI: THE OLDEST TREE IN EASTERN NIGERIA". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
15. Cole; Aniakor, Chike (1984). Igbo Arts: Community and Cosmos. Los Angeles: Museum of Cultural History, University of California. ISBN 0930741005.
16. Jibiri, Nnamdi; Eke, Benedict Chukwudi (April 2021). "Radionuclide contents in yam samples and health risks assessment in Oguta oil producing locality Imo State Nigeria". International Journal of Physics Research and Application. 4 (1): 6–14. doi:10.29328/journal.ijpra.1001034. ISSN 2766-2748.
17. "Agwa at a Glance". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. May 16, 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
18. Ekechi, Felix (1989). Tradition in Eastern Nigeria: a sociopolitical history of Owerri and its hinterland, 1902-1947. Ohio: Kent State University Press. ISBN 0873383680.
19. Conflict Resolution in Agwa Clan in Oguta Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State by a Network of Peace Actors – A Case Study (Report). Foundation for Peace In the Niger Delta. 2020. p. 3-5. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
20. Okoroiwu, Gideon (2014). "Studies on the Menace of Hookworm Infection in Agwa community, Oguta LGA of Imo State Nigeria". Journal of Medical Laboratory Sciences. 23 (1): 62–67.
21. Uzoaru, Stanley (20 February 2023). "10 communities,100 villages endorse Izunaso for Imo West senate". Owerri. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
22. Ekechi, Felix (1981). "Aspects of Palm Oil Trade at Oguta (Eastern Nigeria), 1900-1950". African Economic History (10): 33–65. doi:10.2307/3601294. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
23. Uzoigwe, Godfrey N. (2004). "EVOLUTION AND RELEVANCE OF AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES IN PRECOLONIAL IGBOLAND". Journal of Third World Studies. 21 (1): 139–150. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
24. "Escalating Insecurity in Mgbala Agwa Community in Imo state Sparks Concerns as Government and Police Response Lags". Owerri. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
25. Nwakamma, Obi (September 2023). "Igbo Enwegh Eze: From an Antinomy to the Deutro Nomos, A critique of the second wave of Pseudo-Monarchism in the evolution of Igbo political Systems". Ikéngà International Journal of Institute of African Studies. 24 (3): 1–16. doi:10.53836/ijia2023/24/3/002. ISSN 2006-4241.
26. John Mbonu Uchenwoke, Wisdom Onuegbu, H.R.M I.O Assor (May 2022). What You Don't Know About Ogbafor Agwa Market [Inside Agwa] (MP4) (Motion picture). Obudi-Agwa: Inside Agwa TV. Retrieved 23 June 2024. The Ogbafor Market is one of the oldest markets in Imo State....It was pioneered by the Umudude Lineage group
27. Ekperechi Uchenwoke, Jumbo Obinna (March 2, 2024). Is Agwa an Oil Community? [Inside Agwa] (MP4) (Motion Picture). Agwa: Inside Agwa Tv. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
28. Herbert M. Cole, Karen L. Morell (1985). Two Igbo Masquerades: Beauty and the Beast [African Encounters: The African Studies Programme in the Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington] (Motion picture). Agwa, Imo State: University of Washington Libraries.
29. Okor, Emezi (1975). "The Origin of Ihiagwa" (Interview). Interviewed by J.O Muruakor. Umuelem-Ihiagwa: Ihiagwa Students Association.
30. Ngoka, C.D (1982). "A History of Ihiagwa". Ọha Ihiagwa Cultural Magazine. Nsukka: Ihiagwa Students Association, University of Nigeria Chapter.
31. Jones, G.I; Forde, Daryll (1950). 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒃𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒃𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒐 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉-𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂: Ethnographic Survey of Africa, Western Africa part III. London: Oxford University Press for the International African institute. p. 144.
32. Nigeria Federal Census Office (1964). Population Census of Nigeria, 1963: Eastern Region. Lagos: Nigeria: Federal census Office.
33. Eastern Nigeria (Nigeria) Agriculture Division (1962). Report 1960/1961-1963/1964 (Report). Government Printer 1962.
34. Ifesinachi Nwadike (10 November 2021). The Ludicrousness of “Ungodly Things” An essay on African Christians and the destruction of African heritages (Report). Kalahari Review. Retrieved 23 June 2024..
35. PIND (2021). Conflict Resolution in Agwa Clan in Oguta Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State by a Network of Peace Actors –A Case Study (Report). Foundation for Partnership in the Niger-Delta. p. 3.
36. Sylvester Chukwuemeka (18 June 2024). "AGWA DEVELOPMENT: A HISTORICAL APPRAISAL AND PROJECTING THE FUTURE". www.Insideagwa.com.ng. Inside Agwa News and Entertainment. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
37. Ajayi, Rotimi; Fashagba, Joseph Yinka (2020). Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development. Springer Nature. p. 69. ISBN 9783030505097.
38.National Population Commission. "HISTORY OF POPULATION CENSUS IN NIGERIA". www.nationalpopulation.gov.ng/. National Population Commission. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
39. Nnoruga, James N (2023). "Examining the Sudden Religious Change in the South-East Nigeria in the Light of Horton's Theory of Religious Change". Nigerian Journal Of African Studies (NJAS). 5 (3): 59–67. ISSN 2734-3146.
40. Nwadike, Chinedu (25 February 2024). "On the Resurgence of African Traditional Religion". The Forum Newspaper. No. 13 (808 ed.). Orlu: Catholic Diocese of Orlu. p. 13.