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Ine Festival And The Development Of Issele-uku: A Historical Perspective
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Ezitown: This was found by the grandson of Onicha, who was the father of Ohaeze. The great grand son of Eze Chima.
Onicha
– Ugbo: Founded by Prince Agba, the first son of Prince Ohaeze, who was
driven from Onitsha – Milli, at the death of his father.
Ugute or Ogute: founded by immigrant from Ogboli, from Issele Uku in about 1507.
Idunmuje Towns: Founded by immigrants from Idumu – Ojeogalanya, part of Ukpai quarter.
Onicha-Ukwu: founded by immigrants from Onicha – Olona and they settled near Ukwu Nzu town.
Issele-Azagba:
Founded by Immigrants from Ogbe-ani, Ogbe-Onicha of Ogbe utu quarter,
and Idumu Ikem of Idumu – Inei quarter, of Issele –Uku in about 1731
during the reign of Obi Diei.
Issele –Mkpitime: Founded by Immigrants
from, Ogbe-Owelle, Idumu –Inei and Ogbeofu quarters of Issele-Uku. The
are strictly regarded as off shoots of Issele – Uku and must always be
treated as one
Atuma – Town: Founded by immigrants from Idumu Igwe of
Idumunei quarter of Issele-Uku. Ani-Nwalo Town, Ute clan in Agbor land
and some others are land founded by immigrants from Issele – Uku from
one period to another.
They were other immigrants from Issele Uku
stocked in different part of Delta State and Anambra State presently
such as: Asaba, Umunede, Ogwashi – Uku, Illah, Ibusa, Nsukka, Orlu, Imo
State, etc. Issele-Uku is a town that covers approximately sixty (60)
square kilometers. Issele-Uku is bounded by the East by Ubulou-Okity and
Issele-Mkpitime, to the West by Onicha Ugbo, to the South by
Onicha-Ukwu and Idumuje Unor and by the north by Ubulu – Uku.
TRADITIONAL ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM OF ISSELE-UKU
Issele
– Uku is made up of ten (10) quarters these quarters make up Issele Uku
kingdom and they have chiefs, as the head. These chiefs are subject to
the Obi of Issele Uku. The quarters are as follows:
Ogbe –Owelle,
Ogbe – Utu, Ukpai, Ogbe – Ofu, Ogboli, Idumuinei, Isheakpe, Ogbidibo,
Ogbe-Ntiobi, and Idumu Ahaba. These different quarters share every thing
in common with other quarters within Issele –Uku.
The head of these
quarters are the oldest titled man and they are called Diokpa. The
Diokpa is a very important personality in the community. The Diokpa is
the chief spokes man of his quarter (Ogbe), and he presides over all
meetings.
The Obi of Issele-Uku is the traditional custodian of the
land, Obi means king. He is regarded as the ancestral father and divine
ruler of the kingdom and community. His authority must not be challenged
and his right is absolute and divine.
The Issele Uku people are
people with rich cultural heritage with a historic origin. The land is a
very vast land, very rich for Agriculture.
Issele-Uku, a distant
land and kingdom away from home (Benin Kingdom). There are still many
unique similarities between Issele-Uku and Benin, with regards to
customs and tradition. Even though the Issele-Uku speaks Ika-Ibo,
(Enuani) language nowadays, it is still full of Edo words and even
culture.
ENDNOTES
1 C. A. Akeh-Osu “The History of Great Issele-Ukukingdom†(Onitsha: Etukokwu press Ltd, 1992) pp. 6-8.
2 Ibid .
3 Ibid .
4
Personal Communication with Chief Ego. A Chidi, 40+ Former Traditional
Personal Assistant to the Obi of Issele Uku; from Ogbutu quarters in
Issele –Uku, Delta State. April 4, 2007.
5 Ibid .
6 C. A. Akeh – Osu “The History of Great Issele – Uku Kingdom†pp. 10
7
N. L. Onwochei, Enweonwu L. Nigerian Leadership and National
Development A paper presented at the Nigeria Sociological and
Anthropological Students Association Annual General Conference held at
the University of Calabar from the 22nd – 23rd January, 1988.
8 C. A. Akeh – Osu “The History of Great Issele Uku Kingdom†pp. 48
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