Aro History

8

Arochukwu is a small town located at the Southern end of Abia State in Nigeria. The Aros, as other Igbos, migrated from the Middle East to their present location in the then Eastern Nigeria. You cannot mention Christopher Columbus who discovered America, without a short history of the Indians who owned the land. Also, in retrospect, the Aros came and won the land from the inhabitants, the Ibibios, after series of wars. These wars had a historic impact on the town. For instance, the leader of the Ibibio warriors who fought the war was captured and slain at Oror village and this is why Oror became the chieftaincy village. Amaikpe Obinkita became the center where these defeated warriors were judged. This is also why all Aro villages assemble at Obinkita during the Ikeji festival. Any village that is not represented is fined by the entire Aro. This still exists as I write.

Arochukwu town has 19 villages namely: (Not alphabetically ordered.) Ugwuakuma, Agbagwu, Utughugwu, Amanmagwu, Ujari, Amasu, Ibom. (These Villages are what is known as Ime Aro). Oro, Obinkita, Amoba, Amankwu, Ugbo, Amukwa, Atani, Isinkpu, Ugwuafor, Amangwu, Asaga, and Amuvi. (These villages sums up the Amuze.) Each of these villages are characterized by their respective cultural displays. For instance, Obinkita village (landlord of all Aro) is known by their masquerades called Ekpo. Atani villages are identified by their Ugboali music, for example madam Mary Kanu. Arochukwu town is divided into three kindred: Okennachi,Ezeagwu and Ibom Isi. These villages are then merged into these three groups due to their migration from one village to another. This inter village migration not only populated Arochukwu but brought internal progression that helped split the villages into different kindred. Note also that EzeAgwu is split into two Umumna Okpara Agwu and Okpara Ezo Agwu.

The population of Aro is approximately 60,000 and every Aro indigene is a proud person due to the fact that we are the cultural chief in all Iboland. Our culture is being exemplarily practiced in all Iboland and this is how the “Aro Okigbo” came about. The slave era found most Aro people migrating to all parts of Nigeria spreading the religion of Aro heritage. This heritage, became adopted by the host in all the cities and towns in Iboland where an Aro man lives. The branch out of Aros to other Iboland, for example, Aro Okporoenyi,Aro Ndizuogu,Aro Ikwere, Aro Yoruba,Aro Ngwa,Aro Izombe,Aro Cameroun,Aro Ajalli,Aro Oru,Aro Nkwesi,etc., did not only personalized the Aros but had an Aro matic effects to the entire Iboland. These Aros that migrated still have a bonding link with the villages they had left behind. The new Yam Festival is a period where all Aro cultures are displayed. The activities of these events are very fascinating and interesting to watch. All villages prepare for this wonderful occasion that starts and ends in September of every year. Any village (s) that is not represented as I mentioned earlier on, will be fined. The place of this meeting is called “Amaikpe Obinkita.”

The American Beauty Pageant has judges who decide the winner of the Pageant. So also, during this festival 19 Judges are appointed including the Eze Aro who will select the best village presentation on the Ekekpe day which is the outstanding day of the festival. These judges will then assemble at Obinkita recording and checkmarking events. At the conclusion of Ekekpe day, the Eze Aro then announces the number one village in the entire town. Also other identifiable villages that host some of these events as per another market day includes: “AKUMANNAOBI” who is from Ugwuakuma village. The Ugwuakuma village host the “MGBAPE AWADA” which signifies the beginning of the New Yam festival (IKEJI) for all Aros. As the events are heated up, every village must pay homage to the Eze Aro by going to Oror village as a group. The Eze Aro in return, will bless them and the village they represents. The “Ekpe Society” is predominantly becoming a domineering factor in Aro whereby if you are not a member, you tend to feel isolated. I vividly remembered my age mates who will proudly come to me and aske “I bakwara Ekpe?” or are you “Ikpoo?”. It is the man’s thing. Besides the Ekpe society, we also have the “OBON” that plays all night.

Mazi Ngozi Ukwu Okoronkwo who hails from Obinkita village contributed this article

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8 comments

  1. Frank Oti 13 November, 2015 at 20:46 Reply

    A very informing piece by the author Mazi (Pastor) Ngozi Ukwu Okoronkwo. It remains a misery that our great story, history, culture and heritage has never been narrated to the fullest. It is welcoming to have briefs like this.
    It is quite refreshing to have a publication like Aro news. I hope it will grow on to other types of media – AroTV

    • Okorofoma Nnamdi 19 September, 2022 at 03:42 Reply

      There is no relationship between the Aro and the population in the Arabian Peninsula….No matter where we collect legend on the genesis of the Black African people, those who still remember their origins say they came from the east…. Dogon and the Yoruba legends report that they came from the east Igbo Land … I do not see any reason for falsifying history when the true information is before our nose. What will one gain seeking affiliation with the ancestors of the Arab nations.

      Egypt, for instance, was founded by the Anu race from the East Igbo land by a group of people that characteristically lived last in the present day Igbo land , Ethiopia was founded earliest by Ndi Ojukwu of Igbo land, walker travellers and their land is called Kambata because of the situation they faced against monsters in the days of their settlement, they also produced a king whose title was Ezana king of the land . Therefore Aro did not migrated from Mideast

  2. Amah Jones 23 January, 2016 at 17:36 Reply

    The Ibibio Civilization of Arochukwu

    “For instance, Obinkita village (landlord of all Aro) is known by their masquerades called Ekpo.”

    Obonkita is the Igbo corruption of Obot Okon Ita. Obot Okon Ita or Obinkita was the capital of the Ibibio kingdom of Obong Okon Ita before its conquest by Igbo and Akpa invaders in 1690–1720.

    “You cannot mention Christopher Columbus who discovered America without a short history of the Indians who owned the land. Also, in retrospect, the Aros came and won the land from the inhabitants, the Ibibios, after series of wars. These wars had a historic impact on the town. For instance, the leader of the Ibibio warriors who fought the war was captured and slain at Oror village and this is why Oror became the chieftaincy village. Amaikpe Obinkita became the center where these defeated warriors were judged. This is also why all Aro villages assemble at Obinkita during the Ikeji festival. Any village that is not represented is fined by the entire Aro. This still exists as I write.”

    “For instance, Obinkita village (landlord of all Aro) is known by their masquerades called Ekpo.”

    https://maa.wvx.mybluehost.me/?p=518

    1. Ekpe-Ekpe or Ekpekpe means The Ekpe of Ekpes or The King Ekpe. So, Ekpekpe Day is the day set aside to celebrate the Lord of Ekpes?

    2. Ikpo means Funeral

    3. Ekpe means Leopard. It could also mean Lion or any other large cat such as the Tiger, Cheetah, etc.

    4. Ibinu Ukpabi is the Igbo corruption of Ibit Ukpabi. Ibit means drum. Ukpabi means the creator, God. Therefore, Ibit Ukpabi means the Drum of the Creator, God.

    5. Obonkita is the Igbo corruption of Obot Okon Ita. Obot Okon Ita or Obinkita was the capital of the Ibibio kingdom of Obong Okon Ita before its conquest by Igbo and Akpa invaders in 1690–1720.

    6. AmaIkpe means The Lover of Judgement. Ama means Lover or one who likes or loves. Ikpe means Judgement.

    7. Obon is an Ibibio secret society. Obong means chief, leader, king, chief or master. So, Obong Obon means the Chief of Obon.

  3. Amah Jones 23 January, 2016 at 17:39 Reply

    The Ibibio Civilization of Arochukwu

    “For instance, Obinkita village (landlord of all Aro) is known by their masquerades called Ekpo.”

    Obonkita is the Igbo corruption of Obot Okon Ita. Obot Okon Ita or Obinkita was the capital of the Ibibio kingdom of Obong Okon Ita before its conquest by Igbo and Akpa invaders in 1690–1720.

    “You cannot mention Christopher Columbus who discovered America without a short history of the Indians who owned the land. Also, in retrospect, the Aros came and won the land from the inhabitants, the Ibibios, after series of wars. These wars had a historic impact on the town. For instance, the leader of the Ibibio warriors who fought the war was captured and slain at Oror village and this is why Oror became the chieftaincy village. Amaikpe Obinkita became the center where these defeated warriors were judged. This is also why all Aro villages assemble at Obinkita during the Ikeji festival. Any village that is not represented is fined by the entire Aro. This still exists as I write.”

    “For instance, Obinkita village (landlord of all Aro) is known by their masquerades called Ekpo.”

    https://maa.wvx.mybluehost.me/?p=518

    1. Ekpe-Ekpe or Ekpekpe means The Ekpe of Ekpes or The King Ekpe. So, Ekpekpe Day is the day set aside to celebrate the Lord of Ekpes?

    2. Ikpo means Funeral

    3. Ekpe means Leopard. It could also mean Lion or any other large cat such as the Tiger, Cheetah, etc.

    4. Ibinu Ukpabi is the Igbo corruption of Ibit Ukpabi. Ibit means drum. Ukpabi means the creator, God. Therefore, Ibit Ukpabi means the Drum of the Creator, God.

    5. Obonkita is the Igbo corruption of Obot Okon Ita. Obot Okon Ita or Obinkita was the capital of the Ibibio kingdom of Obong Okon Ita before its conquest by Igbo and Akpa invaders in 1690–1720.

    6. AmaIkpe means The Lover of Judgement. Ama means Lover or one who likes or loves. Ikpe means Judgement.

    7. Obon is an Ibibio secret society. Obong means chief, leader, king, chief or master. So, Obong Obon means the Chief of Obon.

    8. Ekpo Society, just like Ekpe Society, is of Ibibio origin.

  4. Ndabu Edem Archibong. 26 November, 2018 at 13:16 Reply

    The history of the Efik peoples’ migration to Aro country is said to have been early 11th century AD. The Efiks coexisted with the Aro people for about a century before finally parting ways to Uruan. Before the Efiks exit from Aro country, there were many events that marked the sociocultural watersheds of the Aro country, among which was the refusal of the Efik people to worship the Aro “Long Juju”. And this particular event marked the turning point of Efik exit from Aro country.

  5. Okorofoma Nnamdi 19 September, 2022 at 03:29 Reply

    There is no relationship between the Aro and the population in the Arabian Peninsula….No matter where we collect legend on the genesis of the Black African people, those who still remember their origins say they came from the east…. Dogon and the Yoruba legends report that they came from the east Igbo Land … I do not see any reason for falsifying history when the true information is before our nose. What will one gain seeking affiliation with the ancestors of the Arab nations.

    Egypt, for instance, was founded by the Anu race from the East Igbo land by a group of people that characteristically lived last in the present day Igbo land , Ethiopia was founded earliest by Ndi Ojukwu of Igbo land, walker travellers and their land is called Kambata because of the situation they faced against monsters in the days of their settlement, they also produced a king whose title was Ezana king of the land . Therefore Aro did not migrated from Mideast

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