Igboland (Alaigbo): A Regional Breakdown of Ethnic Divisions, Tribes, and Sub-Tribes

“Alaigbo” A breakdown of Igboland cultural regions, ethnic divisions, tribes and sub-tribes.

The written record

1. Cross River Igbo (Aro)
– Location: Found primarily in the eastern part of Igboland, close to the Cross River area.
– Key areas: Arochukwu, Afikpo, Ahaba, Nguzu-Edda, Ihechiowa, Ohafia, Isuikwuato, Abiriba, Bende, and Isiama
– Tribes:
– Aro
– Edda
– Afikpo (Ehugbo)
– Abam
– Item
– Isuikwuato

Historical context

2. Northeast Igbo (Ogu Ukwu)
– Location: Found in parts of present-day Ebonyi and northern Abia States.
– Key Areas: Abakaliki, Izzi, Ikwo, Okposi, Ishielu, Ishiagu and Onicha Uburu.
– Tribes:
– Izzi
– Ezza
– Mgbo
– Ezzamgbo
– Ikwo

3. Northern Igbo (Wawaa)
– Location: Found in northern parts of Igboland, primarily in Anambra, Enugu, parts of Imo, Kogi and Benue States.
– Key Areas: Nnewi, Nsukka, Udi, Awka, Enugu, Ekwulobia, Agulu, Ogidi, Okigwe and Awkuzu.
– Tribes:
– Nri
– Nsukka
– Agbaja
– Awka
– Ezeagu
– Okigwe
– Idemili
– Nkanu
– Otanzu-Otanchara
– Agbenu

4. Riverine Igbo (Oru)
– Location: Found in the riverine areas near the Niger Delta, including parts of Anambra, Rivers and Delta States.
– Key Areas: Onitsha, Nzam, Ahoada, Oguta, Aboh, Awarra, Kwale, Ndoni, Omoku and Izombe.
– Tribes:
– Onitsha (Onicha)
– Egbema
– Oguta (Ugwuta)
– Ekpeye
– Ogba
– Ogbaru
– Ndokwa (Ukwuani)
– Omambala

5. Southern Igbo (Isu-Urata)
– Location: Primarily found in southern parts of Abia, Imo, and parts of Rivers State.
– Key Areas: Owerri, Aba, Port Harcourt, Orlu, Umuahia, Aboh-Mbaise, Nkwerre, Oyigbo, Elele and Igbo-Etche.
– Tribes:
– Isu
– Ezinihitte (Mbaise)
– Agbaja-Ehime (Mbano)
– Asa
– Ngwa
– Ikwerre (Iwhuruohna)
– Etche
– Ndoki
– Orsu
– Uratta (Owerre)

6. Western Igbo (Anioma)
– Location: Found primarily in Delta State and some parts of Edo and Anambra States.
– Key Areas: Asaba, Agbor, Umunede, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Igbuzo, Obiariku, Idumuje Ugboko, Igbanke, Nsukwa and Issele-Ukwu.
– Tribes:
– Aniocha
– Ika
– NdiOshimili (Enuani)
– Ukwuani

Photo by: Chiadikobi Nwaubani @Ukpuru