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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria (14056 Views)
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The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by AndreUweh(m): 3:52pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
EKUMEKU WAR OF WESTERN NDIGBO The Anioma-British war popularly referred to in history as Ekumeku or Ekwumekwu in some Anioma quarters occurred between 1883-1914 and involved Anioma and the British. The Anioma are mostly Igbo therefore all Anioma speak Igbo beyond the enclaves of non Igbo ancestry of the Anioma region. It is therefore easier to recognize that Ekwumekwu is an Igbo word. However, different sources have interpreted "Ekumeku" differently. Ekumeku is indigenously known in Anioma historical context as "Aya Ekumeku". Aya in Igbo language denotes "war" while Ekwumekwu in Igbo onomatopoeia connotes "Do not talk about it" or "Not to be spoken about". This is a portrayal od secrecy associated with Ekumeku movement. The terribly fast, devastating and invisible nature or strategy employed to wage the war couples with the initiation requirement necessary for the recruitment of soldiers may have warranted the word "Ekumeku" In the years of the Ekumeku war, it was a taboo to reveal the secrecy behind the activities of the cult regarding initiation, operational bases, movement and sources of the cult group. This situation posed the British with so much difficulty as they were unable to manage the activities of the Anioma perceived worrisome to their imperialist policies. The mystery surrounding the activities from which the people derived unexplainable strength puzzled the British who perhaps were hasty to abolish what they believe could become established in the socio-cultural society of the Anioma and constitute hindrances towards realizing their economic aims if nothing was speedily done. Resistance was strong in western Igboland with series of wars waged to resist the British who had strong economic interest in the region and Ekumeku with well organized leaders joined in oath-taking secrecy to forestall the activities of the British in the region. Guerrilla warfare was the effective weapon if this was to be achieved. The Ekumeku became the greatest of the Igbo nationalism that instilled fear and discipline in the minds of the British on how and how not to deal with the Igbo people generally. It was from Ekumeku that other Igbo regions derived boldness to confront the British. Perahps, there existed no region in Southern Nigeria where the people ferociously and collectively rose to resist the British imperial conquest as in the Anioma region where the war lasted for 16 years with heavy casualties on both belligerents. Attempts in the 19th and 20th centuries by the British to impose imperialistic and hegemonic measures that would subjugate the Anioma people for their own economic gains triggered-off the Ekwumekwu war. Anioma had viewed socio-economic activities of the British in the Anioma region as an intrusion that must be resisted at all cost and the British decided to employ the use of force to subdue the people. This became a threat in the Anioma society. Scholars of the Anioma History believe that while Britain because of its experiences derived from other parts of the country was well prepared for the outcome, the Anioma were little prepared and only ready to defend its territory from economic violation of the British. This gave the Britisn an upper hand over their Anioma counterparts. It was not until towards the end of the war that the rest of the Anioma towns prepared themselves for the battle the British. The Anioma nation had before 1898 engaged in violent clashes with the British resulting in the identification of the Anioma region as a difficult terrain and it was the feeling of the British that the area needed to be purged if they would derive economic gains from the region and for the social activities of the British to be impacted on the people. Interestingly, the British had already noted the leaders of the region as violent because of their unpleasant experiences with the people. In 1830, the Lander Brothers reported their sour experiences in the hands of the Anioma back home as they were captured by the Anioma community who did not understand their reason for crossing through their territory. It was a crisis that put the Anioma in the bad book of Britain only waiting to explode. By 1870, the crisis between Anioma and Britain had escalated culminating in the invasion of Ndoni, an Anioma community by the British in the same year. The British parliament had ruled that the use of force would be necessary to compel the people of Ndoni to cooperate with their economic terms among several others. Atani another Anioma community would suffer the same fate as it engaged the Royal Niger Company in 1880 in a bid to control the trade of the region. The Royal Niger Company with its charter perpetuated what Joseph Egwu an erudite scholar regarded as the first genocide against the Anioma people. Finally, in November 2, 1897, Onicha-Ado (Onitsha) an Anioma community was bombarded in what was to set the Anioma rulers against the British in many years of guerrilla warfare. Ibusa-Royal Niger Company War (1898) The real first of the Ekumeku wars was between Ibusa and Royal Niger Company. Dr. Joseph Egwu in an article titled"Ekwumekwu Movement" published in Anioma Essence Vol. 1, No. 4, 2008 edition delivers a beautiful account of the Ibusa-Royal Niger Company War in which the Royal Niger Company forces commandeered by Major Festing decided to attack Ibusa. Strangely, the Royal Niger Company launched a surprise attack on Ibusa and thus won an initial victory which through was temporary. The Ibusa forces retreated and the feeling of the British was absolute victory. Writing further, Father Zappa in 1898 emphasized that rather than surrender, the Ekwumekwu soldiers continued to resist as the Ibusa forces reinforced. Major Festing's further appeal and indeed reinforcement of troops from Lokoja that joined the forces of the Royal Niger Company helped the Forces to sustain victory over the Anioma community of Ibusa. "Indeed it was not the possession of more sophisticated firearms that ensured Major Festing's ultimate victory, it was rather wanton and callous destruction of Ibusa farms and villages that forced them to sue for peace. Ukwunzu/Owa-the British (1904) On the 11th February 1904, severe fighting increased between Ukwunze and Owa on one side and the British as the other party. W. E. B. Crawford Coupland, the Divisional Commissioner ordered for 4 Connaught Rangers, 2.95 artillery and other weapons with which the people were subdued. Owa-the British (1906) The Ika people displaying prowess of the most war-like of the Western Igbo speaking people with the fierce wars fought to end S. O. Crave-Read and his British styled inhuman treatment. In this war, Ekute provided military support to the Ekwumekwu soldiers. The Ika people fought a well prepared battle as Lt H. C. Moorhouse would later put up a brilliant defence of himself on why he appeared prone to sustaining casualties stating that the Ekwumekwu soldiers operated with a well trained soldiers and geographical knowledge was an advantage. Mr. S. O. Crewe lost his life in the battle. Ogwashi-Uku-the British The Anglo-Ogwashi-Uku war which began on November 2, 1909 with a mandate to the British Forces to kill everybody proved to be a partial disappointment ion the part of the British and more than anything proved that the British Forces could collapse if matched with sophisticated arms and ammunition. In that war the British sustained 34 casualties with the death of Captain H. C. Chapman. With the fall of Ogwashi-Uku, the Anioma was doomed for balkanization. Dr. Egwu briefly summarizes what thereafter befell the Anioma as thus: "Anioma Region was divided into four and joined to other groups neighbours who were then given political precedence over Anioma. Asaba Division was joined to the Benin Province and Aboh Division (Ndi-Olu) were joined with Urhobo, Ijaws and Itsekiris to make up the Delta Province. Onitsha, Oguta and environs were joined to the Eastern Provinces. This made political unity nearly impossible. This was the genesis of our woes! With the fall of Anioma, the great price for losing a war was paid by the people. The region was balkanized by the British and many Anioma territories such as Onicha-Ado (Onitsha) and Oguta were permanently lost to the easterners. That of Onitsha was characterized with a change of the name that disassociated it from Onicha-Olona, Onicha-Ukwu, Onicha-Uku kinsmen but in all Anioma achieved for the Igbo nation a movement more extensive and resisting than what the British had experienced in Africa South of the Sahara. Igbafe in his work opines "the ability to manipulate their Age Grade system and other associations building an extensive network of communication throughout the whole of Anioma…no matter its cost, honour, bravery and integrity which have been internalized and consolidated in their myths, legends, proverbs and typical behaviour patterns. The Anioma Ekwumekwu commanders were: 1. Dunkwu Isusu (Onicha-Olona) 2. Ochei Nwayazia (Onicha-Olona) 3. Nwabuzo Olimagwo (Issele-Uku) 4. Mokobia Odiajo (Ogwashi-Uku) 5. Nwaiyogolo (Ogwashi-Uku) 6. Eninwizomo (Ugbodu) 7. Idegwu Otokpoike (Ubulu-Uku) 8. Monye Ukpe 9. Diei Nwobodo 10. Egbune Uza 11. Awunor Ugbo (Akumazi) 12. Abuzu (Idumuje-Unor) 13. Idabor (Issele-Uku) 14. Agbambu Oshue (Ibusa) Some of the Anioma towns that participated were: 1. Isheagwu 2. Kwale 3. Ugbolu 4. Obiaruku 5. Aboh 6. Ebu 7. Ubulu-Uku 8. Ogwashi-Uku 9. Akumazi-Umuocha 10. Onicha-Ado (Onitsha) 11. Obomkpa 12. Ezi 13. Issele-Uku 14. Ilah 15. Okpanam 16. Issele-Azagba 17. Owa 18. Ibusa 19. Idumuje-Ugboko 20. Agbor 21. Igbodo 22. Umunede 23. Asaba 24. Ute-Okpu 25. Ashama 26. Idume-Ugbo (ArticlesBase SC #2316537)http://www.articlesbase.com/culture-articles/ekumeku-war-of-the-anioma-people-2316537.html |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by AndreUweh(m): 3:54pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
As Nigeria prepares to celebrate fifty years of Freedom from colonialism, let us not forget those groups and peoples who resisted the whiteman's occupation of Nigeria. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by texazzpete(m): 5:12pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Please focus on resisting those kidnappers and armed robbers that are killing and maiming your people now instead of dredging up ancient glories. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by chyz(m): 5:19pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
texazzpete: please focus on the fulanis that are pushing your people out of their land and are taking over kwara state. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by AndreUweh(m): 5:38pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
texazzpete:Clown, get out of here. You are not intelligent enough for this sort of thread. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Dede1(m): 6:21pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
texazzpete: This sort of idiotic display is the fuel that runs the engine which seeks the disintegration of Nigeria. In fact, the earlier the cesspit called Nigeria is disintegrated the better for its former inhabitants. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Nobody: 6:23pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
texazzpete:LOL ![]() Why this nau? |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by MaziUche0(m): 6:52pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Ileke-IdI: Can you please speak the queen's English? "Why this nau?" - What is this now? |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Nobody: 6:53pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
MaziUche0:No. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by MaziUche0(m): 6:56pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Ileke-IdI: And of course you would laugh at something so tribalistic. You disappoint me each day. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Dede1(m): 7:03pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Ileke-IdI: If you continue with your newly found love in tribalism, I warn you husband could be far-fetched. ![]() ![]() |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Nobody: 7:07pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
MaziUche0:So that was the point of calling me out? And I thought I was getting an English lesson. Why do you constantly rebuke me for something you're so expert at? His post was funny, I laugh. But it was also wrong, so I question. [Queen's English, much?] Dede1: I'm married, but thanks. And how exactly am I being a tribalist? ![]() ![]() And what should I say about your love for hating |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by MaziUche0(m): 7:10pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Dede1: Her tribalism rears its ugly head, when I am not satisfying her. When she is fine with me, her tribalism is kept at bay. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Nobody: 7:12pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
MaziUche0: Keep flattering yourself. When have you ever satisfied me?. . . . you and your 58 seconds of action, not even up to one minute ![]() ![]() |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by AndreUweh(m): 7:16pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Ist October, 2010, marks The 50th anniversary of Nigeria's independence from imperial Britain. It was not a walk over for the British to conquer Nigeria, some individuals and groups resisted the imposition of colonial rule. Please let us discuss the brave roles of this groups and peoples. Thanks. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by MaziUche0(m): 7:16pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Ileke-IdI: ![]() Why should I flatter myself, when I have you? And stop exaggerating, more like a hour. I would have finished earlier if the tread wasn't worn out. ![]() |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by MaziUche0(m): 7:17pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Andre Uweh: You are right my brother. However, I feel these proud Igbo warriors, if they were living would only shake their heads in disgust at the deplorable sight of the East. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Nobody: 7:18pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
MaziUche0:Oh but you dont. ![]() They say men that make the loudest noise, are the emptiest barrel. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by MaziUche0(m): 7:19pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Ileke-IdI: That is news to me. ![]() If I don't toot my own horn, then who will? |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Nobody: 7:22pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
MaziUche0:I guess you keep on tooting your own horn then. Esp since no one else would ever find it worth tooting. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Dede1(m): 7:27pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Ileke-IdI: I can not discuss my run-ins with babes from Yoruba stock on Internet as it will fly in the face of my cherished principles even though the temptation abounds. I hope this might disabuse your mind about the alleged hatred for Yoruba. I wish you and your husband nice things. By the way, I suggest you spin away from tribalism. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by MaziUche0(m): 7:28pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Ileke-IdI: Oh really? That is not what you said last night. If I remember correctly, you were tooting my horn for me. ![]() |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Nobody: 7:32pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Dede1: I hope you know that dating Yoruba babes does not make you stop hating the whole tribe. MaziUche who has been dating Yoruba babes and that has never dated an Igbo babe is the most tribalistic annoying boy in this section---> follows by chyz ![]() Once again, I am not tribalist ![]() ![]() ![]() Thanks. I suggest you do the same too, for a very intelligent man. . . .your tribalism is too overwhelming. MaziUche0:Shut up, already. You're so annoying. Well, atleast NL now knows that you cant keep some private/personal stuff on the hush. So sad ![]() |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by redsun(m): 7:43pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Andre Uweh: Man,this is my history you just raised and i never really took it seriously because i have been so preoccupied with the unnecessaries,chasing shadows.Most of us have been so distracted and schooled to believe that all that is black is irrelevant, barbaric and unsystematic,and most of us are beginning to believe,hence our acceptance of undignified ways of life as a people,though i don't believe. History vividly says that one of my grand ancestral uncle killed a whiteman(missionary) for real in resistance of their interferance in their ways of life.Blackman can never be bored,we have alot of hidden dramas to excavate and reverse for good. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Dede1(m): 8:09pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Ileke-IdI: I am lost with the plank of your argument. I honestly do not think and can not even insinuate that Yoruba have the most beautiful girls in Nigeria that their beauty can still instigate my hatred for Yoruba. It is unfortunate that my zeal to stand truth on its feet had to be construe as a practice of tribalism. Well, few great individuals from Nigeria have been injudiciously labeled as tribal bigots. If writing to separate facts from fictions will earn me such a label, I shall wear it as a badge of honor. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by ikeyman00(m): 8:10pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
f1 miss tribalism of ekitti state talking ![]() ![]() I hope you know that dating Yoruba babes does not make you stop hating the whole tribe. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Ibime(m): 8:12pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Its a fallacy and revisionist theory to group Anioma as a homogenous group who resisted the British as one. The fallacy that Onicha was change to Onitsha as part of some British war against Anioma is a revisionist theory. Onicha was bastardised to Onitsha whilst the Onicha people were still trading peacefully with the British who had established a couple of factories (trading depots) in Onicha. The decision by the British to burn Onicha to the ground came subsequently, and was an individual action, not linked to any "war against Anioma". The British continued to trade peacefully with the Aboh even after burning down Onicha. Secondly, Aboh firepower was never concentrated on fighting the British but was rather concentrated on subjugating the Igbo groups around them so they could gain control of the trade up the lower Niger, and gain advantage over their Idah counterparts. It is ironic that after amalgamation, the Aboh later found themselves dominated politically by their numerically superior neighbours. Finally, there was no joint British mandate in the Niger. Each individual company operated under its own auspices until 4 different companies were amalgamated into the United African Company in the late 19th century. This so called war is a fable. Perhaps you had individual wars between different groups and the British companies, but claiming a region wide war is pure revisionism, not to be compared to the Ashanti war against the British for example. I believe this piece is written in support of the creation of an Anioma state more than any true historical reason. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Nobody: 8:20pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Dede1: Now what does Yoruba beauty has to do with this convo? Even if you dig ugly yoruba women, how is that tangible? You're the one that brought your encounter(s) with Yoruba babes into this convo when your status of tribalism was in question. No one is question your zeal to speak the "truth" [which in some cases are your own version], it's the way you go about it. Deny it or dont deny it. . . .point is, you're a tribalist and you have no ground to accuse someone of being a tribalist. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Becomrich0: 8:24pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
fake article made up . it never happen. this people are telling. You can check with the british government. It was benin empire that battle. Not igbos. made up story. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Dede1(m): 8:49pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Ileke-IdI: I brought it up because your accusation lacks fundamental logic. If I am a human being who feels my ethnic stock is superior to others, why should I have love lust for girl from ethnicity I disdained? I hope you are not sensitive with issues of beauty and ugly. Fallacies that found their way to this board must be intellectually challenged before they became gospel as in the case of Fajuyi wanting to die with Ironsi. |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by Nobody: 8:54pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
Dede1: And dating a girl from a Yoruba "stock" is a logical explanation of why you CAN'T hate the "Ngbatis"? LOL, funny boy. Think up a more reasonable explanation, you this tribalit ![]() I'm not sensitive, just trying to understand the reason why you're bringing beauty into an issue that has nothing to do with it. Mekusxyz has a fiance named Bimbo ----> [Now under the username Akin-Egba, confused Igbo man claiming Yoruba man] Aloy.Emeka has a Girlfriend named Bukky[b] ---->[/b] [ Confused Yoruba woman claiming Igbo man] Dele1 has dated Yoruba chicks EzeUche/MaziUche has dated countless Yoruba chick, but never an Igbo one. Plz, who is next? ![]() |
Re: The Western Igbo Resistance Of The British Occupation Of Nigeria by tpiah: 8:59pm On Sep 25, 2010 |
^^dont group Dede1 with those other three. apples and oranges. |
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