©OFAAC
Anioma Carnival
©OFAAC
Ndi Anioma is predominantly the Igbo-speaking group of present-day Delta state, politically, they are grouped to Delta North senatorial district, although, some parts of Edo state like Igbanke and its environs that speak Ika are politically carved into Edo state today but they are part of Anioma, the boundaries of Anioma spans into present day Anambra state.
The term “Anioma,” in the Igbo language translates to “a land that is good” became a unifying term, in 1951 when a prominent poet and a nationalist, in person of Chief Dennis Osadebay, who was from the region used it to replace the ‘western Igbo’ nomenclature by the British administration, as a symbol of unity for these culturally connected Igbo groups.
The region of Anioma consists of three major linguistic groups: Ukwuani(Ndokwa), Enuani, and Ika. Each of these linguistic groups possesses the main characteristics of the historical and cultural identity of the larger Igbo group found in the southeastern part of Nigeria.
Despite interacting culturally with neighboring Edo groups, Ndi Anioma has been able to maintain a distinct heritage of the Igbo tribe, as shown via their cultural practices, language, and socio-political structure.
Enuani Cultural Identity and Language
Ndi Enuani forms a big subgroup of the Anioma region. The people of Enuani majorly inhabit areas in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Ahaba, Igbuzor, and its environs.
Enuani is a notable dialect of the Igbo language which is intelligible to the broader Igbo language; despite the proximity with the Edo tribe, the linguistic influences from external tribes are relatively low, showing the area’s strong Igbo roots.
Among the Enuani practices are distinct cultural costumes like the Akwa-Ocha; the akwa ocha is a traditional fabric of white color and is mostly used for Igbo cultural practices during festivals, traditional initiations, and burials.
The Akwa-ocha attire, which is mostly adorned with symbols and beads, rekindles the broader Igbo heritage connections. A host of communities in Enuani are aboriginal Nri people, and it is evident in their socio-cultural way of life and language.
Ndi Enuani, through resistant movements like the Ekwunokwu(Ekumeku) uprisings to resist the hostile colonial rule further displays the distinct ethno-cultural Igbo identity and resilience.
Ika: Autonomous Governance and Igbo Heritage
Ika people, located majorly in Ika South and Ika Northeast Local Government Areas of Delta state, are major contributors to the Anioma identity. With Agbor being its historical and cultural center, the Ika people of Anioma reflect a robust cultural heritage that is highly intelligible with the broader Igbo traditions and also speak the Ika dialect, which is a prototype dialect of the Igbo language; the Ika dialect is one of the oldest sub-dialects of the broader Igbo language.
Ika communities maintained governance structures that are dominant in the broader typical Igbo societies, this includes the Eze title system of Nri.
Although the Ika region of Anioma shares the closest proximity to the Edo region, the socio-political systems of Ndi Ika largely predate external influences, showing a strong Igbo foundation that has independently evolved.
Socio-cultural exchanges with external tribes like the Edo are visible, but these external elements portray selective borrowing and zero shift in their broader Ika practices and language, which are mutually intelligible to the broader Igbo culture.
Ukwuani: Cultural Cohesion and Igbo origin
The Ndokwa or Ukwuani people, another prominent group that makes up ndi Anioma, have a deep historical connection to Igbo areas like Ahaba, Onicha, and Aboh. Ndokwa communities like Obiarukwu, trace their lineage to various Igbo settlements, the Umuchime lineage present in Ogume further underscores the historical connections between Ukwuani communities and Enuani, Ukwuani people also speak a proto-type Igbo language that is widely intelligible with the broader Igbo dialects, Ndokwa people of Anioma practice traditions and customs that reflects the societal norms of the Igbo tribe.
The confederacy of Akashiada in Anioma, a socio-political structure of Ukwuani, observes major rituals, like the ichi-okpala ceremony, which mirrors with the cultural practices in eastern Igboland, Nigeria.
Essentially, Ndi Anioma stands out to be a distinct group of the Igbo tribe, keeping their Igbo heritage preserved amid influence from external regions. The history of the unity that exists among Ndi Anioma reflects the commitment to an enduring legacy of culture, historical resistance, and language. The profound connection to the majority of Anioma’s collective Igbo origin further solidifies their place in the aboriginal Igbo narrative of the region.
Ohadike, D. C. (1994). Anioma: A social history of the western Igbo people
Okolugbo, E. (1984). The Ndosumili and the Ukwuani: A history of Christianity in Nigeria
