Every nation, town and village has its lore and legends.  Ossomala in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria is no exception. One notable legend in Ossomala is the Ohia Ndiom Ossomala.

Ohai Ndiom Ossomala is believed to posses unbelievable magical powers that made Ossomala a force to be reckoned with. The modern trends in life have made it difficult for Ndiom Ossomala to assert those powers that were prevalent in the yesteryears of Ossomala Igili.

Ndiom Ossomala are comprised of middle aged and much older women who meet regularly at Ohia Ndiom to deliberate on difficult issue and problems that men could not resolve, to make sacrifices for peace and tranquility and to have native dances as a means of praying. The head of Ndiom Ossomala is called OMU, who consults the Ohia on behalf of the people of Ossomala.

Whenever the occasion arises for Ndiom Ossomala to assemble at the Ohai, the oldest woman among the Ndiom Ossomala will travel the length and breath of Ossomala to summon all the Ndiom. She did so by hollering and the thumping of a large gong (ogene):

Gom, Gom, Gom, Gom…. Ndiom Ossomala eeii…..Aka kwabalu akukwe eeii….

Zuenu na ihu ohai nubosi nkwo eeii….Nti nulu anyi okwu eiii….Gom, Gom, Gom, Gom,……

There are innumerable instances that have warranted the portrayal of the extra-ordinary clout of the Ndiom Ossomala. In 1862 all the efforts by the Christian Missionary Society (CMS) to settle in Ossomala was rendered ineffectual by the unexplained attacks on the missionaries at night.

Isaac of Umuoga Village at Ossomala was apprehended at Ndoni for trading in akamelu illicit gin. During the course of his trial in the Native Authority Court, Isaac invoked  the powers of  Ohia Ndiom to prove his innocence. Suddenly, the court was invaded by a flock of vultures believed to have been sent by Ndiom Ossomala.  As the vultures attacked everyone present the judge was forced to call off the trial. Isaac appealed to Ndiom Ossomala and the attack ceased.

Legend has it also, that at Umuolu, one Imeomu from Ugolo village was accused of pointing at another woman with her left finger, an act which was considered a symbol of witchcraft by Ndiom Ossomala. The woman alleged that Imeomu became angry and invoked the powers of Ndiom. Again, the vultures swooped on the woman and almost killed her. She recanted her statement and Imeomu’s appeal to Ndiomu Ossomala brought about the disappearance of the vultures. The women later came to Ossomala and gave the Ndiom a cow to appease them.

The most popular of contemporary Ndiom Ossomala elders were Omenwa Akwuoji, Omenwa Amudo, Omenwa Ejesi, Omenwa Nne-Igwe and Omenwa Iduh. [OHP] 

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