Re: Aguleri Is The Ancestral Home Of The Igbos, Not Nri
This Agulari and Nri history of Anambra people. Let me remind them that Arochukwu and Bende confederacy was the most powerful military and economic group between 15th century to later part of 18th century and war with British invaders and our history cannot be diminished by this fuzzy history. They have their history and we have our history.
I personally condemn slavery and oppression and every thing about it. I don't like domination for any reason, BUT we must address Some Anambra people for their disregard for true Igbo history and trying to use this fuzzy Aguleri and Nri history to actually represent other Igbos wrongly. Anambra people can use Aguleri and Nri history for their own history fine, but the is also another history of other related Igbos and other blood related tribes to Igbo like Ibibios, Annags, Efiks and other Igbos from Arochukwu, Aro, Abiriba, Ohafia, Abam, Uzuakoli, Afikpo, Isukwuato,Afikpo, Itumbuzo, Ohoazara, Okigwe, Umuahia, Ngwa, Ibibios, Efik, Annangs, Okirika, Ijaws etc.These original histories can not be dismissed by ignorance because for over 300 years these groups were the most powerful military and economic power in Southern Nigeria up to the middle belt
Some time when I see some Anambra people trying to assert some kind of leadership or control over other Igbos then I begin to wonder that sometimes a servant forgets who his master is. Anambra people are a creation of Arochukwu and Bende confederacy from Abia State from 15th centuries ago.
Abia/Imo people used to owned you Anambra people and created your towns and other villages as slave trading posts that invented today the Igbo business model of apprenticeship training and trading posts, and these trading posts are in every where in Nigeria and West Africa Region. Infact it was Aro and Bende slave raiding warrior that stopped the Spread of Islam down to Igboland, Southern Nigeria and parts of Benue and plateau (middle Belt).
A lot of Anambra people do not know their history. Almost all Anambra people, parts of Delta and parts Enugu people are people from Arochukwu and Bende slave trading out posts created by slave warriors from Aro, Abiriba, Ohafia, Abam, Uzuakoli, Afikpo, Isukwuato,Afikpo, Ohoazara, Okigwe, Umuahia, Ngwa, Ijaw, Annangs, Ibibios, Efik and Okirika slave raiding warriors and these towns and communities were the strongest people in war and economic power during this time from 15th century till the abolishion of slavery and British conquest of Arockukwu power around 18th century.
Onitsha markets area was a big slave trading post created by the slave trading post and which was eventually developed into the biggest market in west Africa build and created by Dr. Michael Okpara and Dr Akanu Ibiam Premier and Governors of Eastern Region.
The city of Onitsha was founded by Igbo group from Arochukwu under the leadership of Eze Chima. People of Arochukwu founded many other communities both within and outside Igboland. Arochukwu played a significant role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade of the 1600-1800 AD. The Aro confederacy (Aro slave traders) scattered throughout the hinterlands of the Igbo nation, in coalition with several Igbo tribal leaders orchestrated the sale of over 4 million Igbo sons and daughters during the transatlantic slave trade. Many Igbo slaves who were shipped from the slave outposts in Calabar and Bonny to Europe and the Americas, were first assembled in Arochukwu,and then transported to Calabar or Bonny via the Aro Blue River which pours into the Atlantic ocean. Most Igbo slaves were shipped to North Carolina and Virginia, in the United States. Igbo slaves were also shipped to the Caribbean Islands of Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arochukwu
LARGEST SETTLEMENTS AND TRADING POST OF ARO AND BENDE CONFEDERACY
Aro trading and Largest settlements outpost in present day are in Southern Nigeria and Igboland
These settlement outposts includes
Akri-Atani,
Akri-Uteri,
Akri-Ugidi,
Nsugbe
Aro Okporoenyi: Umuahia area of Abia State.
Aro Ndizuogu: Ideato area of Imo State (The biggest of all the settlements).
Aro Ndi Ikerionwu: In Anambra State.
Aro Ajalli: In Anambra State.
Aro Nzerem: In Ebonyi State.
Aro Amokwe: In Udi area of Enugu State.
Aro Isuochi: In Abia State.
Aro Isiokpo/Igwurita Ikwerre area in Rivers State.
Aro Abagana: In Anambra State.
Aro Izombe: In Abia State.
Aro Nkwerre in Imo State
Aro Oru: In Imo State.
Aro Ngwa: In Abia State.
Aro Ezeagu: In Enugu State.
Aro Achi: In Enugu State.
Aro Oboro Ite
Aro Kalabari: In Rivers State.
Aro Opobo: In Rivers State and many more settlement communities to note here
Aro Ajatakiri-ikwuano, umuahia,Abia state.
Aro Achara-Ama-asa,isiala ngwa,Abia state
Aro umunkpe-isiala ngwa,Abia state.
Aro mbawsi-isiala ngwa,Abia state.
Aro okporoenyi-ikwuano area,Abia state.
Aro umuru-ikwuano area,Abia state.
Aro ndizuogu-ideato area,imo state(the biggest of all the settlements)
Aro ajalli-Anambra state.
Aro nzem-Ebonyi state.
Aro amokwe-udi area,Enugu state.
Aro isuochi-Abia state.
Aro isiokpo/igwurita-ikwerre area,Rivers state.
Aro abagana-Anambra state.
Aro oru-Imo state. Aro ngwa-Abia state.
Aro ezeagu-Enugu state.
Aro achi-Enugu state.
Aro isiokpo/igwurita-ikwerre area,Rivers state
Aro kalabari-Rivers state.
Aro opobo-Rives state.
and many more to be listed
" Port Harcourt came to prominence as from 1913 because of the development of the sea port and the Eastern Railway line. During the oil Rivers trade and the slave trade era Port Harcourt was not a factor in those trades. The trade route was through Azumini River through Ohambele via Opobo to Bonny (Ubani). At Bonny commodities were loaded and shipped overseas. Another route in fact the ealier route was through Cross River Aro chukwu to Calabar. Aboh, Onitsha and Ugwuta were also important sea routes to Atlantic ocean. quote historian Vincent Erondu.
http://logbaby.com/encyclopedia/history-of-arochukwu_15827.html#.U8btT7lOVjo
Quoting historical facts.
Aro Confederacy
By the mid-18th century, there were mass migrations of several Aro business families into the Igbo hinterland and adjacent areas. This migration, influence of their god Ibini Ukpabi through priests, and their military power supported by alliances with several related neighboring Igbo and eastern Cross River militarized states (particularly Ohafia, Abam, Abiriba, Afikpo, Ekoi etc.) quickly established the Aro Confederacy as a regional economic power.
Aro activities helped coastal Niger Delta city-states become important centers for the export of palm oil and slaves. Such city-states included Opobo,Bonny, Brass, Calabar as well as other slave trading city-states controlled by the Ijaw, Efik and Igbo. The Aros formed a strong trading network, colonies, and incorporated hundreds of communities that formed into powerful kingdoms. The Ajalili, Arondizuogu, and Bende Kingdoms were the most powerful Aro states in the Confederacy after Arochukwu. Some were founded and named after Commanders and Chiefs like Izuogu Mgboko and Iheme whom led Aro forces to conquer Ikpa Ora and founded Arondizuogu. Later Aro commanders such as Okoro Idozuka also of Arondizuogu expanded the state's borders through warfare in the start of the 19th century. The Aro Confederacy's power, however, was mostly derived from its economic and religious position. With European colonists on their way at the end of the 19th century, things changed.
British Conquest
British Colonialism in the late 19th century turned Anglo-Aro relations sour. Aro leaders knew that Christianity, colonialism, and end of their monopoly would destroy Aro economic rule. Also the British felt that repeated Aro attacks rendered outright war inescapable. They made plans for war in 1899. The conflict had both religious and economic causes. Aro traders and the Royal Niger Company, had their own issues. An Aro invasion of Obegu in 1901 started the Anglo-Aro War. In 1902, following a direct attack on Arochukwu and months of fighting, the British were victorious. The Aro Confederacy's power was shattered, making it easier for the British to take over the Eastern Nigerian region although resistance in the area was far from over. Although Aro dominance crumbled in March 1902, many Aros took part in later resistances against the British in in the region such as Afikpo (1902-1903), Ezza (1905), and other areas where the Aro had a particularly significant presence.
Nigeria
When Nigeria won independence from Great Britain in 1960, ethnic tensions rose between the regions resulting in the Nigerian Civil War in 1967-1970. After the war, the Aros and the rest of the Igbo People suffered discrimination from other Nigerians. Many Igbo moved out of Nigeria. Aro culture suffered. However, they are currently efforts to unite Aro people and revive their culture. unquote http://logbaby.com/encyclopedia/history-of-arochukwu_15827.html#.U8btT7lOVjo encyclopedia.logbaby.com Article Credit:
This nonsense of Anambra people trying to lord over other Igbos with their self made history and their distress penchant
to want to control other Igbo throught crook or brawn cannot stand because from history in Igboland and parts of South South, Rivers and Bayelsa and the whole of Anambra and parts of Enugu (Udi, Agwu and the coal mines areas of Onyeama coal mine camp) where people relocated and sold as slave during the powerful Aro and Bende confederacy warriors (Abiriba, Ohafia, Abam, Uzuakoli, Isukwuato, Nkpa, Efiks, Ibibios, Okrika, Umuahia and Ngwa). These were the warriors in Igboland during Slavery who go to war in different parts of Southern and North Nigeria and parts of upper and lower Benue/Plateau for slave raiding and wars from 15th century. Infact it was Aro and Bende slave raiding war warrior that stopped the Spread of Islam and muslim down to Igboland, Southern Nigeria and parts of Benue and plateau (middle Belt).
Take a look at thier trading posts from 15 century till today and these villages and towns have expaned and mixed up so much.
Even Igbo business model, training an apprentice model was created from Aro and Bende business outpost and slave posts. Even Onitsha markets area was a big slave trading post created by the slave trading post and which was eventually developed into the biggest market in west Africa build and created by Dr. Michael Okpara and Dr Akanu Ibiam Premier and Governors of Eastern Region.
This nonsensical history from Anambra people is really getting me upset. The whole of Anambra and Enugu is slave trading posts creation. These Anambra people are actually Aro and Bende people from Abia State. Till today the Eze Aro is the most powerful King in Igboland from history forget the bastadization of Nigeria power structure by the British and Nigerian Corrupt system. Eze Aro does not make noise but he is one of the Richest and most powerful King in West Africa when one considers the history and legacy of Arochukwu and Bende Confederacy.
The development of Nigerian Railway system from 1885 by the British and the British Arochukwu War that defeated Arochukwu and the Abolistion of Slavery was what gave peace and normalcy to Brirish control of Southern Nigeria.
Among the Igbos and others tribes in Southern Nigeria the Aros, Bende, Ohafia, Abiriba, Abam, Ohafia, Ibibios, Efiks, Ijaws and Okirikas were the main people who were powerful at that time dealing and fighting wars over slavery and ownership of land, business in palm produce and people.
In Igboland the Whole of Anambra and Enugu (Udi and Agwu areas) were slave trading posts and almost all of Anambra and Enugu are actually people of Aro and Bende from Abia State.
Ugo Ukandu