samuk:


It's very important that you get one thing straight about the average Benin person when it comes to their history, it's only the truth that matters.

History to us is not about tribal supremacy, if you view us from this angle, you will miss the point.

We don't care where the truth lead us to, in as far as it's the truth.

Some people just can't wake up one day and begin to write about Benin/Ife relationship when there are no evidence to back it up, no recorded history or oral history for over 500 years to back it up.

If the Yorubas had said Oranmiyan was from Owo, Ekiti or Akure, it would have made more sense because we had both oral and documented history with those palaces.

What we will not accept is to be lumped into some union with fabricated history.

The European are not trying to rewrite our history, it's just that, there are no evidence to support Benin/Ife relationship.

You know that the Orun Oba Ado is a fraud.

The messagers represented by the Benin artwork the Yorubas claim was from Ife bears no resemblance to an Ife person by Nupe/Igala.

That is one thing playing on the mind of some tribes. Supremacy by hook or by crook.
How does the truth, whatever it is make anyone inferior or superior in 2020?

I for one have nothing to loose which ever originates from whom. I am at home in Eastern Yorubaland as I am at home in Benin. And there are many out there like me.

Benin just need the truth. If that means scientific work involving a targeted DNA analysis, so be it.

In fact I have long volunteered my widow's mite towards that. But it seems all people wanted to do is quote European adventurers and tribally based publications than do anything supported by more reliable modern technology.

AreaFada2:

That is one thing playing on the mind of some tribes. Supremacy by hook or by crook.
How does the truth, whatever it is make anyone inferior or superior in 2020?

I for one have nothing to loose which ever originates from whom. I am at home in Eastern Yorubaland as I am at home in Benin. And there are many out there like me.

Benin just need the truth. If that means scientific work involving a targeted DNA analysis, so be it.

In fact I have long volunteered my widow's mite towards that. But it seems all people wanted to do is quote European adventurers and tribally based publications than do anything supported by more reliable modern technology.

When European sources flatter Bini, you act like European sources are the Holy grail of West African history
But when European sources don't flatter Benin, we begin to hear things like this

There's one of your brothers who has said more damning things about Benin history than any Yoruba, he has called any Benin history not recorded by Europeans lies and myths and on this very forum you are one of his supporters
So deal with what and who needs to be dealt with and stop your bigotry and Yoruba hate
You feel at home in eastern Yorùbáland... Yimu

macof:


When European sources flatter Bini, you act like European sources are the Holy grail of West African history
But when European sources don't flatter Benin, we begin to hear things like this

There's one of your brothers who has said more damning things about Benin history than any Yoruba, he has called any Benin history not recorded by Europeans lies and myths and on this very forum you are one of his supporters
So deal with what and who needs to be dealt with and stop your bigotry and Yoruba hate
You feel at home in eastern Yorùbáland... Yimu

Yoruba hate? Why? To you guys anyone who is not wholly bashing other tribes on behalf of Yoruba is a hater.

Like Dino, FKK and Afenifere are called Omale.

As a people/family we suffered that under Pa Awo and his supporters decades ago already, not new to us. I wrote about it here a few weeks ago.

That I disagree with the lot of you speculating wildly is not Yoruba hate. In fact I believe the loudest and most insulting people here claiming Yoruba cannot tell us their direct lineage to a second class Oba in Yorubaaland. In fact most are Nupe and Igalla immigrants to Yorubaaland.

My relative on the other hand sits proudly and gallantly as first class king. For centuries now.
No, I do not agree with all European writers of old.

I have seen a couple that appear not to have reached Benin at all but gave a widely off the mark description. Painting Benin as an Islamic empire. Basically forging another Mansa Musa story. I quickly dismissed it however gloriously presented it was. In fact it was Caucasian course mate at university who drew my attention to one such.

AreaFada2:

Yoruba hate? Why? To you guys anyone who is not wholly bashing other tribes on behalf of Yoruba is a hater.

Like Dino, FKK and Afenifere are called Omale.

As a people/family we suffered that under Pa Awo and his supporters decades ago already, not new to us. I wrote about it here a few weeks ago.

That I disagree with the lot of you speculating wildly is not Yoruba hate. In fact I believe the loudest and most insulting people here claiming Yoruba cannot tell us their direct lineage to a second class Oba in Yorubaaland. In fact most are Nupe and Igalla immigrants to Yorubaaland.

My relative on the other hand sits proudly and gallantly as first class king. For centuries now.
No, I do not agree with all European writers of old.

I have seen a couple that appear not to have reached Benin at all but gave a widely off the mark description. Painting Benin as an Islamic empire. Basically forging another Mansa Musa story. I quickly dismissed it however gloriously presented it was. In fact it was Caucasian course mate at university who drew my attention to one such.

Leave story. Your moniker is known to detest the yoruba
And when are called out, you will always find one Yoruba relative to talk about, phantom relatives on a faceless forum don't interest most people here
Whether they are French immigrants or Mongolian expatriates is not anyone's concern, but most of all not mine. As long as they are proudly Yoruba and not just 'for mouth'
And contrary to what you think, I don't consider ethnic bashing or hating productive

macof:

Leave story. Your moniker is known to detest the yoruba
And when are called out, you will always find one Yoruba relative to talk about, phantom relatives on a faceless forum don't interest most people here
Whether they are French immigrants or Mongolian expatriates is not anyone's concern, but most of all not mine. As long as they are proudly Yoruba and not just 'for mouth'
And contrary to what you think, I don't consider ethnic bashing or hating productive

I see. The reason you guys talk anyhow is because you believe this forum to be totally anonymous.There is nothing like total anonymity. Some researchers have gotten in touch with me based on my posts here.

I can assure it's not as anonymous as you think. There are certainly one or two prominent Nairalanders who know more about me in real life.

For that reason alone I can't make up things here.
If I what I say turns out to be wrong, I would have done so in good faith, believing it to be correct.

I have in the past written enough about my background. Any serious person is free to find out and confront me if false. If I consider here as a truly anonymous forum, I won't waste my time here. I am way too busy. Especially at this time.

If you insist I can refer you to my people there. Or invite you to a festival coming up in a few months. We welcome tourists from within Yorubaland and indeed worldwide. It's only liars with something to hide that would not invite people to their place or not take up invitation. Having taken Westerners to my places of origin, why not a Nigerian?

The problem with immigrants is that in their desperation to belong, they overdo it. To convince themselves. Much the same way many religious converts tend towards extremism and excess zealotry.

samuk:


Metaphysical,

You seems to be pursuing your history of Benin as if you have problems and issues with the Benin people, what did they do to you that makes you so angry to be reading your history upside down.

Which Edo told you they migrated out of Onitsha.

It's Onitsha and other western Igbos that claimed to have migrated out of Benin.

Olaudah Equiano actually said his Ibo town was under the rule of Oba of Benin.

Below is what Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe said in his autobiography about how his Onitsha people left Benin.

Find yourself a copy of Nnamdi Azikiwe autobiography and history of Onitsha people to read.
Below is an extract.

Nnamdi Azikiwe: My Genealogy and Nativity

"Thus, in tracing my paternal lineage, I could say that both parents of my father are direct descendants of Eze Chima. As for me, I can trace my paternal ancestry in this wise: I am the first son of Chukwuemeka, who was the third child and first son of Azikiwe, who was the second son of Molokwu, who was the third son of Ozomaocha, who was the second son of Inosi Onira, who was the fourth son of Dei, the second son of Eze Chima, the founder of Onitsha." SOURCE - Nnamdi A zikiwe: My Odyssey, Chapter I (Spectrum Books, 1970) "My Genealogy and Nativity" p4 "I can trace my maternal ancestry thus: I am the first son of Nwanonaku Rachel Chinwe Ogbenyeanu (Aghadiuno)Azikiwe, who was third daughter of Aghadiuno Ajie, the fifth son of Onowu Agbani, first daughter of Obi Udokwu, the son who descended from five Kings of Onitsha. Five of these rulers of Onitsha were direct lineal descendants of Eze Chima, who led his warrior adventurers when they left Benin to establish the Onitsha city state in about 1748 AD." SOURCE - Nnamdi Azikiwe: My Odyssey, Chapter I (Spectrum Books, 1970) "My Genealogy and Nativity" p5 "One day I asked her (grandmother) the meaning of the word 'Onitsha'. She explained that it had historical significance. The terminology meant one who despised another. It is a contraction of two words, Onini to despise, and Ncha meaning others. So that the two words when joined together mean one who despises others. Then I asked her why we despised others. She patted me on the back and told me that it was due to our aristocratic background and tradition. I insisted that she should explain to me the basis of this supercilious social attitude. She told me that we despised others because we descended from the Royal House of Benin and so regarded ourselves as the superiors of other tribes who had no royal blood in their veins....." "I continued to belabor my grandmother to tell me more of the history and origins of the Onitsha people. She narrated that many many years ago, there lived at Idu (Benin) a great Oba who had many children. Due to a power struggle regarding the right of precedence among princes of the blood and other altercations, there was a civil war in Benin. One day, the supporters of one of the princes insulted and assaulted Queen Asije, the mother of of the Oba of Benin, who was accused of having trespassed on their farmland. Enraged at this evidence of indiscipline and lawlessness, the Oba ordered his war chief and brother, Gbunwala Asije to apprehend and punish the insurgents. In the attempt to penalise them, Chima, the ultimate founder of the Onitsha city-state, a prince of the blood in his own right, led the recalcitrants against his Uncle, Gbunwala. This intensified the civil war which rent the kingdom of Benin in two and led to the founding of Onitsha Ado N'Idu....... ..." "As the great trek from Benin progressed, some did not have the stout heart of the pioneer-warrior, and decided to settle at different places, known today as Onitsha -Ugbo, Onitsha-Olona, Onitsha-Mili, Obior, Issele Ukwu, Ossomari, Aboh, etc..." SOURCE - Nnamdi Azikiwe: My Odyssey, Chapter I (Spectrum Books, 1970) "My Genealogy and Nativity"

Lol, Oga Samuk, they say Dr Zik nor sabi book o. They say theyknow better. Current young tribalists know better than a man born in 1904, educated in USA and one of most prominent Africans of the 20th century. :

One thing is sure. When the young men in a street, village or town fight over a girl, it's not over the girl with yam leg, k-leg, 5 naira kpoff kpoff breasts or ikebe like a mirror hanging on the wall. Oh no! It's over the beautiful damsel in town. Benin is the beautiful culture everyone likes to claim or attach to. Never mind childish attempts to sneer when rebuffed.

Benin people are very comfortable with both East and West. From centuries of co-existence, much of it peacefully, Benin understand both sides better than most. Benin has no burning animosity towards East or West. But one thing Benin cannot take is either East or West trying to use current population politics as a yardstick to measure history. History is what it is. It cannot be twisted. History doesn't bring cash like crude oil, but it's a people's heritage none the less.

I respect your culture and what you stand for but don't get carried away. Your culture starts and ends with Oba.

AreaFada2:


Lol, Oga Samuk, they say Dr Zik nor sabi book o. They say theyknow better. Current young tribalists know better than a man born in 1904, educated in USA and one of most prominent Africans of the 20th century. :

One thing is sure. When the young men in a street, village or town fight over a girl, it's not over the girl with yam leg, k-leg, 5 naira kpoff kpoff breasts or ikebe like a mirror hanging on the wall. Oh no! It's over the beautiful damsel in town. Benin is the beautiful culture everyone likes to claim or attach to. Never mind childish attempts to sneer when rebuffed.

Benin people are very comfortable with both East and West. From centuries of co-existence, much of it peacefully, Benin understand both sides better than most. Benin has no burning animosity towards East or West. But one thing Benin cannot take is either East or West trying to use current population politics as a yardstick to measure history. History is what it is. It cannot be twisted. History doesn't bring cash like crude oil, but it's a people's heritage none the less.

Benin is not dragging anything with them but just restating what Zik said and I don't see any reason why this should upset any of them.

Zik is not a historian. EOD

AreaFada2:


Lol, Oga Samuk, they say Dr Zik nor sabi book o. They say theyknow better. Current young tribalists know better than a man born in 1904, educated in USA and one of most prominent Africans of the 20th century. :

One thing is sure. When the young men in a street, village or town fight over a girl, it's not over the girl with yam leg, k-leg, 5 naira kpoff kpoff breasts or ikebe like a mirror hanging on the wall. Oh no! It's over the beautiful damsel in town. Benin is the beautiful culture everyone likes to claim or attach to. Never mind childish attempts to sneer when rebuffed.

Benin people are very comfortable with both East and West. From centuries of co-existence, much of it peacefully, Benin understand both sides better than most. Benin has no burning animosity towards East or West. But one thing Benin cannot take is either East or West trying to use current population politics as a yardstick to measure history. History is what it is. It cannot be twisted. History doesn't bring cash like crude oil, but it's a people's heritage none the less.

Zik's story didn't match the realities on the ground. Onicha has always been Igbos , this is an undisputed fact by all historians who know their onion. Stop behaving ignorant because of sentiments. At no point were Onicha people ever of Bini ancestry....no traces , proof or jack...nada ma nigga

IDENNAA:


Zik's story didn't match the realities on the ground. Onicha has always been Igbos , this is an undisputed fact by all historians who know their onion. Stop behaving ignorant because of sentiments. At no point were Onicha people ever of Bini ancestry....no traces , proof or jack...nada ma nigga

Same thing we are saying. You know reality on ground and everything else than what Dr Zik saw in his over 91 years in this world.

You be real MVP. Clap for yourself sir.

AreaFada2:


Same thing we are saying. You know reality on ground and everything else than what Dr Zik saw in his over 91 years in this world.

You be real MVP. Clap for yourself sir.

Yes, my hometown is a stone throw away from Onicha and we were there when they crossed the Niger and knew the identity they bore. A billion Ziks can't win this debate. Interestingly, you reject the source of the report that had your Bini chiefs on record acknowledging a superior king in the east yet you quickly accepted the account of a man who was basically regurgitating the falsehood he was fed growing up. Go to your village and debate with drunks....you are a neophyte in this.

IDENNAA:
Zik is not a historian. EOD

Even if he were a historian, he would still have been wrong if he tried to sell the story of a Bini man named "Ezechima".
Imagine a Bini man giving his son such Igbo name centuries ago.
If Zik ever believed Ezechima was a Bini man, then he wasn't a very intelligent man, and that could explain alot of things.

MetaPhysical:
The portuguese partner of Benin de Barros said THERE IS A KING, CALLED OGENE WHO IS GREATER THAN THE OBA AND HIS PALACE IS EASTWARD OF BENIN.

This establishes that Oba is a lesser king to someone else who dictates power in Benin. This is clear.

This means Oba is not the greatest king in that region....there was another king greater than him.

Who was this Greater King?

The Portuguese were referring to Nri.
Eze Nri was like the pope of Igbo cultural and religious practicies and also a King of the ancient Nri territories of Enugwu-Ukwu, Agukwu, Enugwu-Agidi and Nawfia.

Ofo (which is the staff of office) will normally be issued out to Igbo kings, Benin Obas and Attahs of Igala, by the reigning Eze Nri who was the high priest.

In the olden days, every Oba of Benin and Attah of Igala, must also be made an Ozo title holder before they become proper candidates for any royal positions.

The thing is that people have no idea that Igbos were the principal civilizing influence in the dark ages. I hope one of these days, the full tale of Nri people will be revealed to the world.
Perhaps, about a hundred years ago, some British anthropologists asked the reigning Nri king which territories were under Nri influence. He mentioned towns including Aguleri and Idu (the way ancient Nri people referred to Edo/Bini people).
This Nri king had no idea Portuguese anthropologists had already been to Benin and found evidence of Nri overlordship of Benin, a few hundreds of years before.
Imagine if these Portuguese did not make this recording, today people will be accusing Nri people of chest-beating, but thank God these Portuguese people visited.

pazienza:


Even if he were a historian, he would still have been wrong if he tried to sell the story of a Bini man named "Ezechima".
Imagine a Bini man giving his son such Igbo name centuries ago.
If Zik ever believed Ezechima was a Bini man, then he wasn't a very intelligent man, and that could explain alot of things.

Panzenzia odogwu nwoke. Nice to read from you. The thing is that Zik was never qualified to speak about the history of Onitsha, Eze Chima et al

He went to the US and got a phd and felt he was testicularly fortified to talk about Igbo history. It will be impossible to fully grasp the weight of the contribution of Igbos in the social and cultural development of Nigeria, without referring to Nri, but because Nri was against the bearing of arms or the establishment of empires by brute force, as was the case in the dark ages, Zik was mesmerised by the nature of empire building that he almost single-handedly ignored the Nri Igbo contributions to the establishment and socio-cultural development of the Anioma Igbos.

Please read this writeup from one Nze Emeka Umeagbalasi from Ezinifite in Anambra state. Ezinifite is not an Nri town, but it is quite clear his research if way above Zik's in terms of getting to the truth of things.


The Roots Of “The Anioma Igbo” People By Cheta Nwanze: The Missing Points

By Nze-Na-Ozo Emeka Umeagbalasi


1st May 2020

Onicha Mmili, Eastern Nigeria



The account presented by Maazi Cheta Nwanze concerning the above subject, published by Elombah Reports on 28th April 2020 and Sundiata Reports on 29th April 2020 is seminally grounded and commendable; particularly the aspect that has to do with missionary, colonial and civil war times’ happenings in ‘Anioma Igbo’ including psychological traumas, identity crises and feelings of inferiority complex suffered following the defeat during the war (Nigeria-Biafra Civil War of 1967-70).



However, there are few important areas where the facts he presented are either incomplete or wrong. Recent research findings have also confirmed that the scholarly works of Prof Elizabeth Alo Isichei on Igbo origin including her work of 1976 are either incomplete or not totally correct. But in social research, it is a grand rule that ‘no matter how unacceptable a research may look before its target audience, it must surely contain some validity, points and generational values’ and ‘where one researcher and his or her research end, another begins’.



The Missing Points: Maazi Cheta Nwanze had held that the Igbo people came from different parts of what is today’s Nigeria and settled in the area that they now call home. He had mentioned the 1976 work (A History Of Igbo People) of Prof Elizabeth Alo Isichei as his source. This is not totally correct. From ancient records backed by recent research findings, it is much more correct to say that the Igbo Nation has one origin but presently accommodates a fraction of micro-nationalistic non Igbo clans or entities (i.e. Esan Igbo, Ijaw Igbo, ‘Igbonized People of Agbor-formerly Ominijes and Arochukwu-formerly Ibibios), just as there are several Igbo clans lost to other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and beyond (i.e. Igbo people of Obiaruku in Nigeria and Igbo Peoples of Equatorial Guinea, Zambia and Sao Tome & Principe). This is similar to Igala Land, presently composed of mainstream or majority, as an offshoot of Igbo; and micro nationalistic others made up of non indigenous Igala nationalities.



Forgotten in Maazi Cheta Nwanze’s seminal account is the famed politico-spiritual influence and role of Eze Nri and Eze Nri-in-Council, later described in 1498 AD by Portuguese visitors/diplomats as “Pre Christian Pagan Pontiff/Papacy”; the powerful influence which dated back beyond AD periods and wielded in ancient Igbo Land and beyond, covering the Ogiso (650-1150AD), pre imperial (1150-1440AD) and imperial (1440-1897) Ubini (Benin) dynasties and their periods; some parts of old Ife and Oyo Empire, Igala and Idoma; down to old Cross River areas. The politico-spiritual influence of Eze Nri played a key role in the founding and kingship of the ‘Anioma Igbo’ including the return and the kingship of ‘Onicha Mmili’ People. The Igbo People of ‘Anioma stock’ was anciently and commonly called “the Ofe (across) Mmili Igbo People” or “the Igbo Bi-N’ Uzo” (outpost Igbo People).



Maazi Cheta Nwanze also said in his account as follows: these people, under their leader, Eze Chima, founded a number of towns along the way — Ọnicha Ugbo, Ọnicha Ọlọna, Issele Uku, Issele Azagba… This account is most likely to be historically and factually incorrect, even if contained in or referenced from the work of erudite Prof Elizabeth Alo Isichei.



Again, ancient records in Igbo hinterland (the seat of ancient Igbo kingship, customs and traditions) backed by recent research findings have clearly indicated that there were olden time migrations, settlements and re-settlements within and beyond Igbo Land propelled by the famed politico-spiritual influence of Eze Nri and Eze-Nri-in-Council. There were the Agwu Inobia clan migration to then Ibibio Land in 17th century or before then; the migration by the Ebonka generations to now Agbor and his crowning as “Dein of Agbor” in 1270AD; the migration by the Eze Chima generations from Igbo Land to Ubini and back to Igbo Land and his crowning as first ‘Obi of Onicha Mmili’ in 1500 AD (he reigned from 1500AD to 1507AD); and the ‘Onoja Nwa Oboli’ earliest migration to present Igala Land projected around 1400 BC and the institution of the throne of ‘Eze Igala’ in around 900BC, later changed to “Attah Igala”, etc.



It must be further informed that ancient Igbo generations led by powerful oracle priests, trade merchants, warriors, wise men and Nri agents, etc left Igbo Land and migrated to far places and settled. As far back as 1600AD, for instance, Chekwas Okorie disclosed in August 2017 in Enugu that “Igbo people migrated to Gusau in now Zamfara State as far back as in 1600AD” and “as at the year 2000 when Fulani People were marking 200 years of their Jihadist incursion into the Northern Nigeria, the Igbo People of Gusau had marked 400 years of their migration into the area”.



Except the lost Igbo clans, others including ‘Anioma Igbo’ existed under the politico-spiritual influence of Eze Nri and Eze Nri-in-Council who had the prerogative in the areas of communal naming, institution of kingship (Okwa Eze), principal deities (including market deities), Igbo four market days, issuance of mystical or spiritual staff of office (offo) and admission of communal principal figures (i.e. Ezes chosen by ‘perfect spirits’ and oracles) into ‘Nze-na-Ozo’ noble societies, ‘Igu Aro’ or proclamation of new indigenous calendar year and cleansing of taboos and abominations, etc.



In olden day Igbo Land, granting of ‘Eze stool’ or ‘Okwa Eze’ to aspiring communities was sparingly done with stiff conditions, which was why out of between 150-200 Igbo communities then, only 66-69 had lineage of direct kingship or ‘Okwa Eze’, with others allowed to operate indirect or titular kingship, pending their qualification for direct kingships. The Eze Nri’s policy in this regard was called “Eze Ofu Ana” policy. It was exclusively exercised by Eze Nri and his Eze Nri-in-Council, and was much later jointly handled by Eze Nri and Eze Aro, strictly for communal offshoots of the Aro Nation. For instance, in 1800s, both of them stopped Chief Okoli Ijeoma (1815-1892), a wealthy slave merchant from the Igbo hinterland of Ndikelionwu from becoming the ‘Eze Aro’ of his community.





Therefore, for the fact that “Onicha” was added to the names of some “Igbo-Bi-N’ Uzo” or “Igbo Ofe Mmili” People, now called ‘Anioma Igbo’ communities did not mean they were founded by the Eze Chima clan of the ‘Onicha Mmili’ People. The word “Onicha” is a common compound name in Igbo Land with common meaning. “Onicha” People simply mean ‘people residing or living or settling by the side or corner of an area or road or river’. Today, there are ‘Onicha Mbaise’ and ‘Onicha LGA’ of Ebonyi State. There is also ‘Onicha’ in Abia State, to mention but a few. Are those mentioned “Onichas” of Igbo hinterlands also founded the “Eze Chima lineage”?



‘Onicha Mmili People’ is four names joined together: “People settling or living by river bank, or corner, or side of same”. It was a name given to them by the then Eze Nri and his Eze Nri-in-Council, upon their return back from Ubini. The Eze Nri also admitted Eze Chima into the prestigious Nze-na-Ozo title society and later issued him with first mystical or spiritual staff of office (Offo) as the first Obi of Onicha Mmili. It is recorded in both Nri and Onicha Mmili histories that the issuance of staff of office to every new Obi of Onicha Mmili by the Eze Nri continued till as recently as in 1962 when a selection crisis erupted between JJ Enwezor and later Obi or Eze Onyejekwe. The then Eze Nri was Eze Nri Tabaansi Udene.



Research records contained in the works of Prof Mike Angulu Onwuejeogwu, an erudite scholar from Igbo Ofe Mmili (‘Anioma’ Igbo) have also disproved the account of Maazi Cheta Nwanze, to the effect that the Eze Chima clan or people under his leadership founded a number of towns along the way — Ọnicha Ugbo, Ọnicha Ọlọna, Issele Uku, Issele Azagba.



A good number of ‘Igbo Ofe Mmili’ Communities had already been granted direct kingship stools or “Okwa Eze” by Eze Nri as earliest as 1300AD to 1500AD when the Onicha Mmili People were yet to settle or about to settle in their present abode. Others, said to have been founded by “the Eze Chima Clan or generation”, had also operated direct kingships as far back as 1600AD-1700AD when Onicha Mmili People were yet to recover from the stresses of their tortuous journeys back to their Igbo Land of Ancestry.



In his 2001 seminal work, Prof Onwuejeogwu had made it clear that as at 1300AD and 1500AD, Ubulu-Ukwu, Ogwashi-ukwu and Obior had already operated direct kingship throne; respectively granted by Eze Nri. Other communities of Igbo Ofe Mmili with direct kingship thrones in closer generations then were Onicha-Olona, 1700AD, Idumeje-ugboko, 1750AD, Idumeje-uno, 1700AD, Issele-ukwu, 1700AD, Onicha-ugbo, 1700AD, Issele Azagba, 1700AD, and Agbor, 1270AD, etc. Asaba (Ahaba), on its part, got its own in 1550AD, but set same aside in 1800AD.



There is no doubt that those communities of ‘Igbo Ofe Mmili’ were influenced by long years of Benin Empire and its culture, but such did not make them to lose their original Igbo identities. It was common, too, in those ancient times for Igbo communities that migrated from their original abode in Igbo Land, to stand the likeliest risk of losing same whenever they decide to return; forcing them to settle in other places. This must have been the case in the case of ‘Onicha Mmili’ People, who must have migrated originally from Igbo Land, but lost the records of their earliest migrations just as Umu Nri lost records of their earliest or BC era list of kings.

Also, not all of the ‘Igbo Ofe Mmili’ People were originally Igbo People, but most of them were and still are. The Agbor People are one of the ‘Igbonized’ kingdoms in Igbo Land, originally of ‘Ominije People’ with Ubini roots. It is also on record that their kingships, four Igbo markets and other Igbo customs and traditions as known in Igbo Land were instituted by Eze Nri and Eze Nri-in-Council; and not Oba of Benin, natively called in Igbo Land- the “Eze Idu na Ika”.



Finally, Maazi Cheta Nwanze’s account of “some Onicha Mmili People migrating from Igala” is likely not out of place. This is because upon their return back to Igbo Land in the later part of 1400s, local farmers, fishermen and women and other natives met on the ground included natives of Ijo (Ijaw), Igala and Obosi, who rendered assistance to them and ensured they settled well and in peace; their conflicts with Obosi People in later years notwithstanding. So, it is possible that such micro non natives were incorporated and indigenized in appreciation, with their brothers and sisters at home joining them later to form part of present ‘Onicha Mmili’ Kingdom.



Maazi Cheta Nwanze’s colonial, missionary and civil war (and its aftermath) times accounts are superb, an eye opener and totally commendable. In the end, I strongly join him to agree that, except the micro-nationalistic segment of the Igbo People of Ofe Mmili, the greater percentage others are the aboriginal Igbo People, likewise those presently found in Igweocha (Rivers State) and other areas.



Contributed by Emeka Umeagbalasi (Nze Eziokwu Welu Onodu, Asi Ewelu Oche Azu). He is proudly Igbo and member of the prestigious Nze-Na-Ozo Noble Society in Ezinifite, Aguata, Anambra State of Eastern Nigeria. He is also a man of letters, with Second Class Upper Division in Criminology & Security Studies and a Master of Science in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution. A criminological researcher, investigator and dogged rights and democracy activist; he is presently working on “The Igbo Bible of Origin & Noble Ways of Life”, a lifetime legacy research work, originating from his Master of Science Thesis on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
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Re: Anioma Vs Igbo: By Nze Emeka Umeagbalasi by OfoIgbo: 10:53am
One thing a lot of people do not know is that Igbos were a major civilizing influence across much of Nigeria before the Europeans came in.

A number of the non-Igbo kingdoms and empires that are now celebrated, were under Nri-Igbo spiritual, cultural, social and civilizing influence, and their kings, emperors, obas, and attahs received their ofo (staff of office) from Eze Nri
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Re: Anioma Vs Igbo: By Nze Emeka Umeagbalasi by gwafaeziokwu: 11:41am
Igbo means NDIGBOO ( Ancient people).

We have been around for a long time doing our thing. Listen to our conversation and hear undiluted wisdom through the use of proverbs.

The Brits saw and confirmed. For more than 15 years they tried to bring us under direct colonial rule, for where? grin

They met a fiercely independent free people who were not intrigued nor intimidated by thier sophiscation.

Our fathers simply want to be left alone to continue our peaceful existence.

A close look into our community administration system will tell you about our well organised ancient civilisation. If a demand is made of each geopolitical zone for a comprehensive data of all its population within a given time frame, Igbos will submit first with about 98% accuracy because we have our data ready through Town union/village associations and the Kindred units.

OfoIgbo:


The Portuguese were referring to Nri.
Eze Nri was like the pope of Igbo cultural and religious practicies and also a King of the ancient Nri territories of Enugwu-Ukwu, Agukwu, Enugwu-Agidi and Nawfia.

Ofo (which is the staff of office) will normally be issued out to Igbo kings, Benin Obas and Attahs of Igala, by the reigning Eze Nri who was the high priest.

In the olden days, every Oba of Benin and Attah of Igala, must also be made an Ozo title holder before they become proper candidates for any royal positions.

The thing is that people have no idea that Igbos were the principal civilizing influence in the dark ages. I hope one of these days, the full tale of Nri people will be revealed to the world.
Perhaps, about a hundred years ago, some British anthropologists asked the reigning Nri king which territories were under Nri influence. He mentioned towns including Aguleri and Idu (the way ancient Nri people referred to Edo/Bini people).
This Nri king had no idea Portuguese anthropologists had already been to Benin and found evidence of Nri overlordship of Benin, a few hundreds of years before.
Imagine if these Portuguese did not make this recording, today people will be accusing Nri people of chest-beating, but thank God these Portuguese people visited.

And by the way, the Eze Nri throne was not just greater than the Oba of Benin, he was also greater than the Ooni of Ife. The Benin chiefs told the Portuguese explorers that this king to the east of Benin was greatest of them all in THAT PART. We all know that Benin lies between Igboland and Yorubaland. And in fact, I am almost certain that Benin is even nearer to Ife, than to Nri, yet the Benin chiefs said that that Eze Nri was the greatest in THAT PART, which must certainly include Yorubaland.

The day the Nri tales are publicized, that will be the day people will get to know the true contributions of Ndigbo to southern Nigerian civilization.

OfoIgbo:


And by the way, the Eze Nri throne was not just greater than the Oba of Benin, he was also greater than the Ooni of Ife. The Benin chiefs told the Portuguese explorers that this king to the east of Benin was greatest of them all in THAT PART. We all know that Benin lies between Igboland and Yorubaland. And in fact, I am almost certain that Benin is even nearer to Ife, than to Nri, yet the Benin chiefs said that that Eze Nri was the greatest in THAT PART, which must certainly include Yorubaland.

The day the Nri tales are publicized, that will be the day people will get to know the true contributions of Ndigbo to southern Nigerian civilization.

You guys are demented. All you are saying is complete rubbish. Nri is a small village far from being as great as Onitsha which is a vassal to Benin Kingdom.

You guys are demented. All you are saying is complete rubbish. Nri is a small village far from being as great as Onitsha which is a vassal to Benin Kingdom.

You are definitely out of your mind to refer to Onicha as Bini vassal. Go find your mate.

You guys are demented. All you are saying is complete rubbish. Nri is a small village far from being as great as Onitsha which is a vassal to Benin Kingdom.

That is where you are getting it wrong. Core Nri is a combination of four towns known as Enugwu-Ukwu, Enugwu-Agidi, Nawfia and Agukwu.

The current Nri town is not even one quarter of the real Nri. Enugwu-Ukwu is the biggest of the Nri towns.
With the coming of the Europeans, a lot was done to whittle down Nri, which is why the small Nri town you now know exists, with infighting that has been occurring between the Nri brothers, especially Enugwu-Ukwu and Agukwu.

The Nri that you see now is just Agukwu, with two very small clans known as ndi Akamkpisi and Diodo. The modern Nri town is not even as big as Enugwu-Agidi, let alone Enugwu-Ukwu

Up until the early 1960s, it was the reigning Eze Nris that gave Obis of Onitsha their staffs of office (ofo). This is very verifiable.

Thank God that neutral Portuguese recorded this, and thank God that they met Benin chiefs who had no agenda, and were very willing to dish out the truth.
The Eze Nri throne remains the most ancient and the most revered royal stool in the whole of Nigeria

IDENNAA:


You are definitely out of your mind to refer to Onicha as Bini vassal. Go find your mate.

I believe it was Zik that started twisting this part of history, trying to make Onitsha subservient to Benin, which was totally a false piece of history.

Onitsha was totally an independent state, but had cultural exchanges, with both Benin and Nri.

Nri, being their fellow Igbos, definitely gives Onitsha some bragging rights, as coming from the same ethnic clan that brought in much civilization to southern Nigeria.
The day Benin tells us the meaning of Eze and CHIMA in Edo language, that's the day, any attempts at trying to make Onitsha, a vassal of Benin, will start working.

We know that Nri men were heavily revered in the palace of the Oba of Benin, and there were usually a team of them constantly stationed at the Oba's palace 100s of years ago. Any of them could bear the name CHIMA. Of course, I can't prove it yet, but it is 100% unlikely to be a name born by a Benin person.

After thorough research, it appears that the Portuguese accounts likely referred to Eze NRI rather than Ile Ife. Initially, the narrative specifies that the journey was 20 moons walking days to the East of Benin. This calculation is straightforward; 20 moon days equate to 24 hours multiplied by 20 days. Additionally, considering they wouldn't be walking continuously, an estimated walking day might involve around 10 hours of travel before resting. Thus, the distance covered to the East amounts to 20 days multiplied by 10 hours of walking per day, resulting in approximately 200 km. Confirming this, a check on Google Maps reveals that the walking distance between Benin City and Nri ranges from 197 km to 207 km depending on the chosen route.

Interestingly, the distance from Benin to Ile Ife is also similar. However, Ile Ife is not situated to the East of Benin but rather to the North-West, unlike Nri, which lies exactly to the East of Benin city. Moreover, the article in question focused on a spiritual leader rather than a political figure, drawing comparisons to the Pope. Later European observers noted Nri's spiritual influence over numerous kingdoms, emphasizing their mutual independence rather than subordination to one another. This understanding is widespread in the Anambra region regarding Nri's spiritual sway, characterized by a lack of political conquests and a commitment to maintaining autonomy.

Based on this research, one could conclude that any community practicing Nri culture might be considered part of the Nri kingdom, as in ancient times, they saw themselves as unified under Nri's spiritual leadership.

Lastly, regarding the orientation of maps, it's worth noting that prior to the age of discovery, maps were commonly depicted with South at the top, following the conventions of ancient civilizations like the Egyptians. However, during the European age of discovery, maps were reoriented with North at the top, reflecting the dominance and perspective of European explorers. Through your research, it becomes evident that by this time, the Portuguese were indeed using maps with the North at the top, aligned with the current convention.