| This web site serves
the Ogbaru USA Association, Inc., an autonomous, non-profit
corportation registered in New Jersey, serving Ogbaruans resident in
New Jersey and New York. Ogbaruans comprise
the Olu tribe and are one of the 250 ethnic groups that make up the
present day Federal Republic of Nigeria. They form an integral part of
larger Igbo tribe. Ogbaruans speak a variant of the Igbo language
quite different from central Igbo. Ogbaruans inhabit the geographical
area known as Ogbaru, (or variously called and spelled as Ogbahu or
Ogbasu, due to phonetics and dialectical differences). However, Ogbaru
is now the preferred and modernized form of either Ogbahu or Ogbasu.
The localities fall within Anambra and Delta States. Contiguous parts
of what was once Ogbaru are now within Rivers and Bayelsa States.
Ogbaru, which translates into "going downstream" or "going down the
river" is situated along the east and west banks of the southernmost
(lower) part of the great River Niger
.The localities run from Odekpe and Oko Ogbele on the north to Olu
Ozizo and Ogwu-Ikpelle into the estuaries that now comprise the Niger
Delta Basin.
>Ogbaru, which was formerly under the
Aboh Kingdom, is now an autonomous local government area within
Anambra State. It is made up of the following towns along the lower
Niger Valley: Abala (Abala Oshimili, Abala-Uno, and Abala Ugada),
Abalagada, Aboh, Adiawai, Akili Etiti, Akili Ogidi, Akili Ozizor,
Amiyi, Ase, Atani, Isala Aboh, Isukwe, Mputu, Ndoni, Obeagwe, Odekpe,
Odugili, Ogbakuba, Ogbe-Ogene, Ogwu-Aniocha, Ogwu-Ikpelle, Ohita, Oko
(Amakom, Anala, Ogbelle, and Odifulu), Okpai (Oluchi and Obeze),
Onuikwu, Onya, Ossomala, Umunankwo, Ochuche Umuodu, Umuolu, Umuzu and
Utchi (Oboma, Okwumedo, Owelle, and Umuochi). These towns are located
south of Onitsha bridgehead on both sides of the Niger down and
stretch about two hundred miles from Onitsha.
Historical Antecedents
Ogbaru, a predominantly farming and
fishing
community is made up of different people
who migrated over centuries from different empires to the highly
arable and productive Niger Delta Basin. Besides that attraction of
farming and fishing, the community lay on the transit route of the
largest inland waterway that enhanced inward and outbound commerce. It
was also contiguous to the renowned Onitsha "OTU" Main Market which
remains the largest in West Africa.
The inhabitants of Ogbaru towns such as the Akilis and Aboh
migrated from Benin Empire. Those of Oko, Odekpe and Ossomala were
descendants of Igala people from Nupe and Jukun empires of Northern
Nigeria. Most inhabitants of many other Ogbaru towns like Amiyi, Umuzu,
Umuodu, Atani, Umunankwo, Ogwu-Aniocha originated from Igbo
hinterland. Some also had a mix of people from the ancient Benin
Kingdom. It is noteworthy, that some of the towns that whose
inhabitants were predominantly from Benin or the Igbo heartland also
have some families that have Igala ancestry or bloodline in them---Ohita,
Obeagwe Umueze Igala, and Atani. Oko,The towns of Odekpe and Ossomala
continue to uniquely maintain their Igala cultural lineage in
comparison with other towns.
Home Page |
