I recall I had a number of invitations to contribute articles on issues pertaining to the history and people of Arochukwu Kingdom. On those many occasions I did not decline out of the necessity of time or duty of care but was rather riddled with a phenomenal feeling of insufficiency to rise to such top notch global space Arochukwu. 

The word Arochukwu in itself conjures a massive sense of awe, mystery and unexplainable exclusivity. Arochukwu sounds to me like a mountain top overlooking its people scattered all over the earth and beyond with imperial majestic adoration. This instinct and overview has colored my reluctance to indulge in any explorative orgy of narrative concerning my homeland but when I recall that I am the eldest grandson of Late Mazi Lazarus Okereke of the legendary Okoro Afigbo kindred Amuvi Uda, the great produce dealer and a general merchant of immense sprouts. Supported by the above consequence I was inescapably thrown into the fight albeit literally to contribute to the sacred and hollowed discourse concerning the place of Ekpe in our social spiritual cosmos. Without sounding intellectually dishonest let me state my limitations, my narrative is not a thesis of avowed academic content it is neither a seminal paper nor position paper but a treatise of a novice, a recent initiate of the Ekpe society. 

Just Last year December, we journeyed from Ujari/Ajalli Aro(Diaspora) to undertake a rather arduous activity culminating in my being admitted into the full Opulace of Ekpe Society of mbala Ekpe Amuvi Arochukwu. 

I shall observe and pledge my full obeisance as an initiate, of the revered Ekpe Mboko.  

All together the topic is not consequential on the rules and regulations of the Ekpe Society but centres on moral spiritual and social reach in helping to maintain order stability, history and continuity in the larger Arochukwu conglomerate. 

When our people began the inevitable movement from the homeland to the diverse world of acculturation, we lost to dilution some of the essential attributes of our cultural make up albeit essential content. In its places we imbibed doses of our new neighbors crippled in and somewhat made us look like them. Ajalli, our great town our heritage is one of the Aro communities in Orumba North Local Government Area nightly called Ndi Enyi Asa. 

Ajalli/Ujari retained most of the governance structure of Arochukwu Kingdom and assimilated cultures from our neighboring communities. Ujari Community is governed by hierarchical order of precedence and time honored traditional institutions. These institutions prescribe and formulate the rules, observance, cordinances, milestones and precedences that govern various segments of the lives of our people some of the institutions include: 

1. Ikoro Society
2. Ekpe Society 
3. Masquerade Society
4. Burial rites Society
5. Umuada Society 
6. Age Grade Society 

These institutions which contribute towards the attainment of order, peace cooperative spirit, inclusivity, diversity, equalitarianism, memory and epics are self-autonomous, immanent, self- creating and self-governing. Our Eze is usually ceremonial head of the community holding titular powers, receiving foreign visitors, dignitaries and appearing in important occasions like yam and masquerade festivals. 

The Ekpe Society which had played great roles in sustaining the social and spiritual fabrics of Arochukwu Kingdom and beyond is one that has deep mystical history carrying with it fear, awe, majesty and celebrations. Ekpe with its diverse roots running from the Camerons Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and even Benue states. Notably the Ekpe Society was a supreme ruling council that served the governments enforcing law and order, upholding justice and upholding the sanctity of the throne of the Eze. It widely held quasi political and judicial power controlling a significant portion of the community’s economic resources and mediating disputes. In a brief resume, the Ekpe society undertakes the underlisted function in a virile Arochukwu society. 

MEMBERSHIP: The Ekpe society draws its membership from the best of the society from the nobility in character, fame, ancestry and good blood and breed. 

1. Law Enforcement: Society is usually in charge of enforcing local penalties and fines and waivers. 
2. Royal authority: Accompanies the Eze on official duties adding pomp and pageantry like when Eze paid a condolence visit during the burial ceremonies of our deaf and severed proof. Humphrey Nwosu Mkpisan the ugly Aro Ajalli kingdom. 
3. Social and Economic control: Membership and rank within Ekpe wage used to determine a person’s social standing and aristocracy. The society’s highest ranks the “Amama” controlled Society significant-portion of the community’s wealth.
4. Cultural and Spiritual Role: The Ekpe Society were seen as messengers of the ancestors and were responsible for upholding ancestral customs and traditions.

Is Ekpe society a secret society?  Oh yes- it is a secret society with a strict hierarchy requiring initiation and oaths from its members who were sworn to secrecy. 

1. Preservation of culture: Ekpe as known was fundamental in preserving the kingdom’s cultural heritage including the use of secret symbols and writing systems like ”Nsibidi”.  
2. Symbolism: Ekpe members are known for wearing distinctive ukara cloth which is inscribed with Nsibidi symbols on a blue background. 
3. Cultural Integration: Ekpe is a foundational element of Arochukwu life and its masquerade are important edifices and figures especially during festivals like Ikeji.

The roles of the Ekpe society in our community had been subdued for a long time with most of the earliest adherents passing away and not bequeathing a chain of succession. 

However in the past decade there has been a consistent resurgence of revival with younger generations renewing their interests in the Ekpe society- its history, relevance, roles and importance in our emergent society. Recently just about 3 months back during the last Ikeji, 40 Youth of new energies travelled from Ujari/Ajalli to home Aro (Ujari) to be admitted into the revered society. More trips are being planned for another contingent of our people to be inducted into the hallowed annals of the Ekpe society. It is generally understood that the average sense of aristocracy and nobility avoids a man that has not joined the ancient Ekpe society in Arochukwu Kingdom and diaspora. The Ujari Community essentially looks forward to unveiling the great impacts of the Ekpe society in our lives. 

This may well be the reason why the new breeze is blowing across the horizon heralding a new dawn and vision to the ways of our people- Cultural renaissance call it that. I will end this mild discourse that Ekpe society brings with an impactful social impetus to the lives of our people generally conjuring up awe, majesty, nobility, aristocracy pride, pomp and pageantry, besides all that it unveils social justice by enforcing compliances to sacred norms and ethos. Ekpe is viewed like the eagle that strides the High skies and refuses to meddle with ordinance of things- this brings with it this beautiful Latin maxim; AQUILA NON CAPTAT MUSCAS-the eagle does not eat ants. God bless Arochukwu Kingdom, God bless Ujari Kingdom as we all await a new dawn. 

Barr. CHRISTO ARUKWE 

Former Director Lands Anambra State 

Chartered Estate Surveyor and Valuer 

Solicitor & Advocate @chrisarukwe@gmail.com