After the Civil war many towns and villages in Port Harcourt had their names changed. The issue in contention were the terms Umu and Rumu

in Igbo Umu means children or descendants of. And a town is often named after its founder e.g Umuahia

The same appears to operate in Ikwerre land and many places like Umuola,Umuomasi and Umukurushi had their names changed after the end of the civil war to Rumuola, Rumuomasi and Rumukurushi.

Many Igbos argue that this was an attempt an denying their Igbo identity forced on the Ikwerre by the Federal government

Many Ikwerres argue that the word in Ikwerre language is Rumu and not Umu and that under the domineering Igbo influence in the government of the the Eastern Region the names were forcefully changed to Umu and that they we
re only revertin to the original forms. This change had happened ,they claim,in the memory of those alive and whilst it was successful in official documents ,the Ikwerre people persisted with Rumu in their speech and oral tradition

What is the truth?

http://247ureports.com/beyond-chimamanda-and-the-rumu-umu-controversyby-okachikwu-dibia/

Let me educate Chimamanda that Ikwerre names were first changed by the Igbos when the latter colonized the former under the Eastern Regional Government. During this time, Ikwerre was under total social, economic and political control of the Igbo, hence it was extremely difficult then to challenge the changing of Ikwerre names by the Igbo. Who was Ikwerre to challenge Igbo maximum leadership actions in Ikwerreland? We know the indignities suffered by late Chief E. J. A. Oriji in the Eastern House of Assembly and indeed in the hands of the Eastern Region government by insisting that Ikwerre is not Igbo.

Another means through which Igbo names came into existence in Ikwerre was via other interactions between the Ikwerre and the Igbo. But note that these interactions were initially with mutual respect but later became one between a stronger culture (Igbo) and a weaker culture (Ikwerre) within a new rampaging political regime that favoured the Igbo culture aimed at becoming an absolute dominant culture in the region. For example there were names like Port Azikiwe (Igbo name) for Port Harcourt; Igirita (Igbo name) for Igwuruta; Amaweke (Igbo name) for Rumuokwuta; Obinna (Igbo name) for Ovundah; Onyemaechi (Igbo name) for Yelemaekhile etc. Take note that the non-Igbo names were there before they were changed by the Igbo into Igbo names. Natuarally, the Ikwerre did not like the changing of such names; but Ikwerre could not challenge these local colonizers.

Also recall that during the Eastern Regional Government, Igbo language was the second official language used to teach in schools throughout the region, to worship in churches and used in offices. Some Ikwerre who dared to use Ikwerre language in the church for example were punished by the Igbo who were in charge of the churches in the first place (see page 145 in my book titled: The Challenge of Ikwerre Development in Nigeria 2011).

It was in these circumstances that, especially after the creation of Rivers State, Ikwerre people got relieved and encouraged enough to change some of the Igbo-imposed names back to their original Ikwerre names. It was this second change of names that Chimamanda and indeed most Igbos see as Ikwerre’s effort at denying being Igbo. That is not true! The real reason for the second change of names was to return the names to their true and authentic Ikwerre names.

If they claim it is rumu and not umu, what's the meaning of rumu in Ikwere or any language in Nigeria?

Take note that Rumu is an Ikwerre word for children and was not created from the Igbo word Umu.

according to this author
http://247ureports.com/beyond-chimamanda-and-the-rumu-umu-controversyby-okachikwu-dibia/

omonnakoda:
http://247ureports.com/beyond-chimamanda-and-the-rumu-umu-controversyby-okachikwu-dibia/

Let me educate Chimamanda that Ikwerre names were first changed by the Igbos when the latter colonized the former under the Eastern Regional Government. During this time, Ikwerre was under total social, economic and political control of the Igbo, hence it was extremely difficult then to challenge the changing of Ikwerre names by the Igbo. Who was Ikwerre to challenge Igbo maximum leadership actions in Ikwerreland? We know the indignities suffered by late Chief E. J. A. Oriji in the Eastern House of Assembly and indeed in the hands of the Eastern Region government by insisting that Ikwerre is not Igbo.

Another means through which Igbo names came into existence in Ikwerre was via other interactions between the Ikwerre and the Igbo. But note that these interactions were initially with mutual respect but later became one between a stronger culture (Igbo) and a weaker culture (Ikwerre) within a new rampaging political regime that favoured the Igbo culture aimed at becoming an absolute dominant culture in the region. For example there were names like Port Azikiwe (Igbo name) for Port Harcourt; Igirita (Igbo name) for Igwuruta; Amaweke (Igbo name) for Rumuokwuta; Obinna (Igbo name) for Ovundah; Onyemaechi (Igbo name) for Yelemaekhile etc. Take note that the non-Igbo names were there before they were changed by the Igbo into Igbo names. Natuarally, the Ikwerre did not like the changing of such names; but Ikwerre could not challenge these local colonizers.

Also recall that during the Eastern Regional Government, Igbo language was the second official language used to teach in schools throughout the region, to worship in churches and used in offices. Some Ikwerre who dared to use Ikwerre language in the church for example were punished by the Igbo who were in charge of the churches in the first place (see page 145 in my book titled: The Challenge of Ikwerre Development in Nigeria 2011).

It was in these circumstances that, especially after the creation of Rivers State, Ikwerre people got relieved and encouraged enough to change some of the Igbo-imposed names back to their original Ikwerre names. It was this second change of names that Chimamanda and indeed most Igbos see as Ikwerre’s effort at denying being Igbo. That is not true! The real reason for the second change of names was to return the names to their true and authentic Ikwerre names.

hmmm!

educative!

May God help in quenching this "change of name" issue between the "Rumuikwerre" and "Umuuganda/Umuisrael"

Tolexander:
hmmm!

educative!

May God help in quenching this "change of name" issue between the "Rumuikwerre" and "Umuuganda/Umuisrael"

There are many who like to pretend that Ikwerre only started claiming not to be Igbo after the civil war but we know this is untrue.This started in the Eastern Region Government even BEFORE INDEPENDENCE

Very educative, but watch how some people who are not from Ikwerre or Rivers State in general will come with their blind ipob and biafra mentality

Rumour everywhere

omonnakoda:
There are many who like to pretend that Ikwerre only started claiming not to be Igbo after the civil war but we know this is untrue.This started in the Eastern Region Government even BEFORE INDEPENDENCE

Exactly, it is also because of this overbearing influence many in the South-South joined the Nigerian army against Biafra in the civil war.


This is also the reason why up to 85% of Rivers people are Anti-IPOB.

AjiereTuwo:
Very educative, but watch how some people who are not from Ikwerre or Rivers State in general will come with their blind ipob and biafra mentality

There is no IPOB or Biafra in Rivers state. Traders at Ikoku Spare parts market do not constitute even 0.0001% of the Rivers state population.

Henry240:


Exactly, it is also because of this overbearing influence many in the South-South joined the Nigerian army against Biafra in the civil war.


This is also the reason why up to 85% of Rivers people are Anti-IPOB.

It is exactly this overbearing attitude that led desperate Igbo revisionists to write a phony article on Wikipedia about the Origins of Ikwerre going as far as to describe the in that article as a SUBGROUP of Igbos.As usual they think they are clever and everyone else is foolish

omonnakoda:
It is exactly this overbearing attitude that led desperate Igbo revisionists to write a phony article on Wikipedia about the Origins of Ikwerre going as far as to describe the in that article as a SUBGROUP of Igbos.As usual they think they are clever and everyone else is foolish

Its not just the history of the Ikwerre they are rewriting but basically every tribe in the Niger delta in other to annex us into their phantom biafra

omonnakoda:
It is exactly this overbearing attitude that led desperate Igbo revisionists to write a phony article on Wikipedia about the Origins of Ikwerre going as far as to describe the in that article as a SUBGROUP of Igbos.As usual they think they are clever and everyone else is foolish

The Ikwerre identity is distinct, Ikwerre forebears have made sure this identity continues to be preserved and passed on from one generation to the next.

omonnakoda:
http://247ureports.com/beyond-chimamanda-and-the-rumu-umu-controversyby-okachikwu-dibia/

Let me educate Chimamanda that Ikwerre names were first changed by the Igbos when the latter colonized the former under the Eastern Regional Government. During this time, Ikwerre was under total social, economic and political control of the Igbo, hence it was extremely difficult then to challenge the changing of Ikwerre names by the Igbo. Who was Ikwerre to challenge Igbo maximum leadership actions in Ikwerreland? We know the indignities suffered by late Chief E. J. A. Oriji in the Eastern House of Assembly and indeed in the hands of the Eastern Region government by insisting that Ikwerre is not Igbo.

Another means through which Igbo names came into existence in Ikwerre was via other interactions between the Ikwerre and the Igbo. But note that these interactions were initially with mutual respect but later became one between a stronger culture (Igbo) and a weaker culture (Ikwerre) within a new rampaging political regime that favoured the Igbo culture aimed at becoming an absolute dominant culture in the region. For example there were names like Port Azikiwe (Igbo name) for Port Harcourt; Igirita (Igbo name) for Igwuruta; Amaweke (Igbo name) for Rumuokwuta; Obinna (Igbo name) for Ovundah; Onyemaechi (Igbo name) for Yelemaekhile etc. Take note that the non-Igbo names were there before they were changed by the Igbo into Igbo names. Natuarally, the Ikwerre did not like the changing of such names; but Ikwerre could not challenge these local colonizers.

Also recall that during the Eastern Regional Government, Igbo language was the second official language used to teach in schools throughout the region, to worship in churches and used in offices. Some Ikwerre who dared to use Ikwerre language in the church for example were punished by the Igbo who were in charge of the churches in the first place (see page 145 in my book titled: The Challenge of Ikwerre Development in Nigeria 2011).

It was in these circumstances that, especially after the creation of Rivers State, Ikwerre people got relieved and encouraged enough to change some of the Igbo-imposed names back to their original Ikwerre names. It was this second change of names that Chimamanda and indeed most Igbos see as Ikwerre’s effort at denying being Igbo. That is not true! The real reason for the second change of names was to return the names to their true and authentic ikwerre names.

Very educating write up.
But the Ikwerre people don't have a definite language beside Igbo, even if they tried to twist the igbo language to suit them they still end up speaking Igbo, the Ikwerre's are Igbos in my opinion, there's an adage that "blood is thicker than water", and have observed that to be true because 80% of ikwerre men rather marry Igbo women than their women even as they claim not to be Igbos.

herbie27:
Very educating write up.
But the Ikwerre people don't have a definite language beside Igbo, even if they tried to twist the igbo language to suit them they still end up speaking Igbo, the Ikwerre's are Igbos in my opinion, there's an adage that "blood is thicker than water", and have observed that to be true because 80% of ikwerre men rather marry Igbo women than their women even as the claim not to be Igbos.

So do abia state people become ibibio,efik,annang because they marry a lot of akwa ibom women, a peoples ethnicity is majorly based on that of their founding fathers not by marriage

AjiereTuwo:

So do abia state people become ibibio,efik,annang because they marry a lot of akwa ibom women, a peoples ethnicity is majorly based on that of their founding fathers not by marriage

So who are the founding fathers of the Ikwerres?.
They're a Subgroup of Igbo.
But they will never admit it.

Who cares whether they accept to be Igbos or not. Until they stop naming their kids Chibuike, Odili and co, then we will take them serious.

herbie27:
So who are the founding fathers of the Ikwerres?.
They're a Subgroup of Igbo.
But they will never admit it.

.

herbie27:
So who are the founding fathers of the Ikwerres?.
They're a Subgroup of Igbo.
But they will never admit it.

But you are not an Ikwerre lady, so how will you know who their founding fathers wer

AjiereTuwo:

But you are not an Ikwerre lady, so how will you know who their founding fathers wer

I don't need to be to know that.
I reside with them, and even when you put the question of their origin they just have no answer.
Who said they have a language?.
And btw we have 3 major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

So you created this thread just for your own masturbatioon... I just pity those that are edging to go down with you on your solo orgasm exploration

herbie27:
I don't need to be to know that.
I reside with them, and even when you put the question of their origin they just have no answer.
Who said they have a language?.
And btw we have 3 major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

They have a language, and the fact that we have 3 major ethnic groups doesn't mean the minority ethnic groups become extinct, u forgot that the last president is an Ijaw, and the current one is a fulani

herbie27:
I don't need to be to know that.
I reside with them, and even when you put the question of their origin they just have no answer.
Who said they have a language?.
And btw we have 3 major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

What is the origin of Igbos > We have been waiting an answer to this question on another thread. No answer still!!
https://www.nairaland.com/3149574/where-ancestral-home-all-igbos/5

Why dis ovoko of an o.p no just go the state website go find out?

Or even go ask wike abeg............

AjiereTuwo:

They have a language, and the fact that we have 3 major ethnic groups doesn't mean the minority ethnic groups become extinct, u forgot that the last president is an Ijaw, and the current one is a fulani

We have over 250 minor groups and 3 major, the Fulanis are under the Hausas, but that's not my point.
All i know is the Ikwerre's speak Igbo and they can't deny it, you guys can write whatever you like, they're a subgroup of Igbo who migrated into the State.

nwakibe:
If they claim it is rumu and not umu, what's the meaning of rumu in Ikwere or any language in Nigeria?

and y don't dey use it in dia speech. I have lots of ikweree friends,u cat tell dey are from ss unless they tell u demselves. They interact with fluent imo like igbo language. I never heard dem say tins like rumunwoke or rumuchukwu in place of umunwoke or umuchukwu!

Dat R prefix sounds so out of place,..evn dumb

I've said it several times on this forum that Ndigbo should forget anything Ikwerre, how many LGs do they control in Rivers state and can the whole Ikwerre land compete with Abia state alone not including the whole Igbo nation? Let them fight with their identify crisis, make una allow them be abeg

herbie27:
I don't need to be to know that.
I reside with them, and even when you put the question of their origin they just have no answer.
Who said they have a language?.
And btw we have 3 major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Tell the origin of the Igbos.. and may i remind you that there are over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria and they all deserve to be regarded and accorded respect no matter how large or little their individual population are.

There is something about Igbos and their ITK tendencies. You people are very nosy and do not concern yourselves to things that directly concern you. Also, People who lived in the former eastern region can attest to Igbo overbearing posture on other smaller erhnicities and it is still very evident till today.

Only in the dreams of Igbos will be Ikwerre be Igbo.

herbie27:
We have over 250 minor groups and 3 major, the Fulanis are under the Hausas, but that's not my point.
All i know is the Ikwerre's speak Igbo and they can't deny it, you guys can write whatever you like, they're a subgroup of Igbo who migrated into the State.

Your mind seems set on that view, but what you should know is that the opinion that counts is that of the Ikwerre and not that of outsiders.

AjiereTuwo:

They have a language, and the fact that we have 3 major ethnic groups doesn't mean the minority ethnic groups become extinct, u forgot that the last president is an Ijaw, and the current one is a fulani

Ikwerre is even more igbo than the likes of nsukka, ohuofia, and abakalaka that's the truth, but who needs to force them to be igbos

First of all who named us igbos?? . .. let them be.. . If and when they realise themselves they claim their origin

rivers claim they are not igbos....... .......'m still skeptical if they will join us in biafra nation











even anioma of delta are denying their igbos identity

mightyhazell:
and y don't dey use it in dia speech. I have lots of ikweree friends,u cat tell dey are from ss unless they tell u demselves. They interact with fluent imo like igbo language. I never heard dem say tins like rumunwoke or rumuchukwu in place of umunwoke or umuchukwu!

Dat R prefix sounds so out of place,..evn dumb

The fact that someone speaks your language doesnt make him ypur brother, and ikwerre use rumu in there speech, dere is no point spreading falsehood, there is this song by erasmus jenewari-joy where an ikwerre lady was in the song, and i have lots of ikwerre friends who use it in there speech, stop this lies and let Nigeria move pass this local colonialism