INOMA AKATOR: The history of Inoma in Anambra west L.G.A Anambra state

 
Inoma is an Ancient Town in Anambra West L.G.A. Anambra state. The mileage  Kilometer from from Inoma toNzam is 6.5km, from Inoma to Aguleri junctions 27.2km from Inoma to Onitsha Holy Trinity, Onitsha is 40.4km.

Inoma hasboundary in the North with Ikah/Iregu Kogi state through which one can connect to Abuja FCT through Lokoja Road, Inoma has boundary in the North West with, Edo State as one crosses  River Niger through Odekpe to Ozingono Market in Edo State, Finally Inoma has boundary in the South with Nzam the headquarters of Anambra West L.G.A and in the East Inoma boundary with Mmiata Anam and in the West with Odekpe/Igbedor. 

DIRECTIONS – Taking River transport from Onitsha to Inoma Start at Ose main market Onitsha (John Holt Company) on board a boat through river Niger pass through Onono Umuikwu Anam, Oroma Etiti Anam , Umuenwelu/Nkwoji , Nzam and then Inoma Water side. 

Taking land transport from Onitsha at Ose  Main Market Garage Onitsha, Enter a bus going to Inoma , the bushave to  pass through 3-3 Onitsha, Nkwele Ezunaka, Nsugbe  to Aguleri Junction in Otuocha then by pass Umueri to Omambala bridge , here is Y junction one is Ezi Anam road and the other is Ifite Anam road  both can lead to Inoma but let’s use Ifite Anam through Umueze Anam -Mmiata Anam road then Mmiata Anam- Nzam road and finally Nzam-Inoma road and you arrives Inoma.

THE LAST MIGRATION OF INOMA PEOPLE

Inoma poople are descendant of AKPALI the son of AGULU UNANAvillage of Igala Mela in Idah. Ancient Igala kingdom, Kogi State. Inoma is one of the seven Olumbanasa Communities (Olumbanasa is an Igbo word for Seven 7 different communities “Olu = Dialect , Mba =Community, Asa = Seven (7) ) Olumbanasa is madeup of seven major communities and their ally villages that merged together for their common goals and interest. They include the following Inoma Akator, lgbedor, Odekpe ,Odeh, Odomagwu, Igbokaenyi and Allah/Onugwa
NB: Inoma is called Aka-ator (an Igbo word for (3) three hands “Aka =hand, Ato =3 three”) because Owelle and Ukwall were and are still  parts of Inoma Akator However, the politics of autonomous community which is now very common in Igbo land came in and they separated for good from Inoma and formed  autonomous communities.

Meanwhile Inoma people are descendant of AKPALI the son of AGULU from UNANA village of Igala Mela in ldah, Igala Ancient kingdom who migrated East wards around year (1516) immediately after the Igala vs Benin war, Among his brothers, in the Amoma Onija clan/kindred of Unana village in Idah were the following AYA, AKURO, IREGU, ITE, IYANO, UJEH, INEME, IKAKA, ISHI (all in the present day Ibaji L.G A, Kogi State) Others  include INOMA, IGBEDOR, OSOMALLA AND ODEKPE (all in present day Ogbaru and Anambra West L.G.A, Anambra state) Odekpe people later divided into 2  one in Anambra West L.G.A, the other in Ogbaru L.G.A All in Anambra State,  and the last but not the least was EKPILI in Edo State They were fourteen (14) brethrens that descended directly from Idah.

THE COURSE OF AKPALI’S MIGRATION AND THE GENEOLOGY OF INOMA PEOPLE

In the course of his migration, AKPALI first arrived at ALIGONU RIVER a place presently located at Iregu and settled with his two wives He had three 3 children with his two wives namely OKOLO-ODU, EKPEJA (from first wife) and AJOALE from the (second wife) AKPALI also set out with three idols namely OKILO, AKULAKWU, and OJIAGAMA Now OKILO is presently at Inoma while AKULAKWU has a masquerade in Inoma and Igbedor till today.

But Akulakwu’s shrine is located at Igbedor, Consequently Okolo- Odu the first son of Akpali married two wives as well The first wife is called Afor, who begot Uja the father of Inoma.

THE REASON FOR THE NAME UNOMA (INOMA)

Now Uja, the son of Okolo-Odu and the grand son of Akpali married his first wife and was childless for many years.

However, as he and his wife were migrating with his brothers (half brothers, uncles and cousins, they found a fertile arable lands and vegetations suitable for farming, fishing and hunting at a place called ODO MOMA.

They lived and settle there for some years. It was there that God blessed Uja with a baby boy through his first wife that had been barren for years Meanwhile, yearly over flowing of River Niger, Omambala River  and streams around that is flooding, indicate that most land areas of ODO MOMA were always flooded whereas across the River Niger seemed  to be upland.

Therefore, after some few years, the brothers of Uja decided that they all should cross the Niger River to the hill land across but Uja refused vehemently saying that since the God of heaven and the gods of ODO-MOMA blessed him with a baby boy there in ODO-MOMA, that he and his first wife should remain there to nurse their child. Note in Igala langage to nurse is “Une” and child is “Oma”.

If you join these two Igala words together it is UNEOMA(INOMA)” meaning: “Nursing a child”.

However, when the brothers of Uja realized that Uja was strongly determined to remain and nurse his child at ODO MOMA, they packed all their properties and crossed the Niger River and settled at upland there near Illah present day Delta State.

They settled and lived at a place called EZI  a city in present day Delta State while the brothers of Uja were living in Ezi when people who knew Uja asked them about Uja their brother, they only answered and replied them that Uja was nursing a child somewhere there (Odo moma) So, they nick named Uja “to nursing a child” Une-Oma.

This was the reason behind the Uneoma/Unoma,  the gradual change from Uneoma/Unoma to Inoma was as a result of  inability of their neighbours in the Riverbank of  Omambala  to pronounce it well , those neighbours includes: Anam, Aguleri, Umueri. Oyi, Nsugbe and Aghamelum people which are closest neighbours and allies to Inoma people.

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This is how we widely came to be known as INOMA.by peoples of various nationalities today. Later, the brothers of Uja migrated to different parts of Anambra, Edo and Kogi States where they are living happily to this day doing what their great grand fathers and ancestors were known for which included: farming, hunting, fishing, canoe making, clay pot making, buying and selling farm produce and other things.

AGRICULTURE  IN INOMA TODAY

Uja, the great grand father/ancestor of Inoma did not migrate further. He remained in Odo-moma; the vast acres of lands where we are living till this day, he remained here not only to “nurse a child but most gloriously to nurse multitude of children to the glory of God.

Now, the major advantage of remaining in this area include that we are very close to River Niger and surrounded by many lakes, streams and Omambala River.

This helped our lands to be more fertile as the over flowing of their waters bring more manure for our farm lands.

We can transport our goods and farm produce by water through boats and canoe and by upland through motors and motorcycles and bicycles to different destinations.

Inoma is blessed with many good things with regards to Agriculture and natural resources (oil and gas).

Inoma people produce different species of rice and yam as well as various kinds of pepper.

These species of crops: yam, rice and pepper which we plant are on a very high demand in the market.

Thus, we are well known in Olumbanasa and around Omambala for rice, yam and pepper cultivation.

We plant them in two dimensions namely “Uda” (An Igbo word for low land ) cultivation, that is planting down the flood way areas which normally begins by November/ December.

The specie of yam for Uda cultivation is called EKPE. The other dimension is (Enu) planting at upland area which normally begins around March every year the specie of yam for upland cultivation is UGA/ADAKA. Our yam is the biggest, longest and sweetest among yam producing communities in  West Africa.

Besides crops cultivation and production, Inoma is also widely known for fishing as we are surrounded with lakes ponds and stream and Rivers where we do fish and catch different kinds and species of fishes in their big sizes. The best time for fishing for big and multiple catch is around February- April.

Inoma people is also widely known for hunting in fact, the great grand father/ancestor of Inoma Uja was a great hunter. His nicked name was “Omajode” Igala word for a great hunter. Inoma hunters hunt and get antelopes, grass cutters, tigers and other bush meat.

Inoma is equally known for their love and hospitality. Even the early missionaries of Catholics and Anglicans can testify to them. Inoma welcomed them wholeheartedly and donated them with large hectres of land for school and church buildings towards development of our community.

Inoma had lived hundreds of years before another set of migrating communities: (Owelle  from Owerri present day Imo state and Ukwalla from Anaku/Aghamelum present day Anambra state areas respectively) came down to our already occupied land.

Inoma people saved them from marauding hands of other neighbouring  communities. Inoma welcomed and embraced them with love and hospitality with them. Inoma is called Inoma Akator that is Inoma, Owelle and Ukwala communities the three combined together (Aka Ato, Igbo word for 3 hands). Inoma people are living in peace and harmony with them despite small misunderstanding that occasionally corrupt in now Owelle and Ukwalla communities are autonomous and allied communities, Inoma people are mainting friendly neighbourhood and brotherhood with them.

Finally, Inoma people are believed to have been under the mighty hands of God of heaven and protecting hands of their native deities. It is a common belief among Inoma people that War would not enter Inoma.

During the Nigerian/Biafran War. Nigerian federal troops advanced towards Inoma but God of heaven and our gods protected us and made Nigerian Army retreat back. (Inoma is part of the general Igbo tribe and  was on the side of Biafra during the war).

SOCIO POLITICAL STRUCTURES OF INOMA PEOPLE

Villages in present day Inoma: they include the following:(EGBATAH AND EGBENUBI) both are sub divided into (13 villages) Edepu, Imeme, Egbatah, Omadelu, Ategbadu, Otoko, Ukojeina, Egwumichi, Onadi, Ugbajah, Ugbajenkwo, Egwekwo, Okota. Each of these villages has two , three to four kindreds/ kinsmen.

THE POSITION OF ATTAH OKAKWU IN INOMA

Attah Okakwu is the highest traditional position in Inoma socio-cultural setting because Inoma just like other Igbo communities practiced GERONTOCRACY before the British colonial era.

The post is given to the oldest man in the community. The current Attah Okakwu is CHUKWUMA OKUTE, The Attah Okakwu of Inoma.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF ATTAH OKAKWU

• The person must be the indigene of Inoma in every aspect and ramification.
• The person must never be a slave or born of a slave woman
• The person must have taken title of Ogbuefi in the community.
• The person must not marry a slave woman/women
• The genealogy of the candidate for Attah Okakwu must be free from any known crimes and taboos
• The person must be well known by all and his means of livelihood must be clear to all

Note: If Atta Okakwu dies he may be buried on Afor or Eke market day but must never be buried on Nkwo and Oye(Orie) Market day

NOTE: Inoma is observing the Afor day as her own market day in honour of her great grand mother whose name was Afor.

So till this day Afor day is a sacred day for the commencement and conclusion of our cultural festivals and celebrations like Ugwolaegwu (Obele) cultural festival and new yam festival.

AGE GRADE SYSTEM OLD GROUPING IN INOMA

Ije amalagwu: Forming age grade starts in Inoma from learning a masquerade call Ije amalegwu (an Igbo word for saying ” going to know a leopard). This Ije amalegwu is for young people of age limit of seven to eight years and it last for three or more years.

Agaba : In this period the age  grade becomes more organized and structured because the people are already adults, they organize themselves and celebrate that period with Agaba masquerade.

Egwu Ura: This is a period after Agaba and the next stage before idifu , is not a very important stage though  , it is celebrated with a masquerade called Egwu Ura.

Idifu:  It indicates that the group has grown to the highest youth position . After this stage the age grade become eligible to pay taxes or make contributions in the community the age grade holds that position for three years and hand over to those following them. (After Idifu the whole age grade are considered grown men ).

Utegbe: This Utegbe group is the youngest elder group in the community. Their works as from olden days was to clear community roads and path ways and also carry corpses of dead persons for burial rites. The traditional dance for this group is Ogene or Odogwu dance.

Iyaika: The work of this group is all about masquerade in the community. At the time of annual festival these groups first knows about it and alert the people on the need for adequate preparations.

Ichogwa: Ichogwa group is the last group in the age grade system and grouping in Inoma.

The people of this group stay with Atta Okakwu. They help him to govern Inoma and solve any problem in the community.

Atta Okakwu cannot solve all the problems alone but with the help of Ichogwa group, things would be going on well orderly and accordingly.

Note: Age grade grouping in Inoma is for both males and females: men and women as against some towns/communities in Igbo land where Age grade is strictly men’s affairs.

The summary of the importance and works of Age grade system in Inoma is for development, peace and security, stability.

social order, equity and justice in our land Inoma. Those who default any of the community’s rules, norms and regulations are punished accordingly including the following: imposing simple fines/levy to imposing heavy levy and killing of any goat on the streets later the offender must have to pay for those goats killed and other things that follow.

The most grievous crime like willful killing of ones’ neighbour attracts heavier penalties like: death, ostracization and exile etc.

INOMA IN RELATION WITH GOVERNMENT

Inoma people relate with government of any level through Inoma development Union (IDU) which has president general  and the body of executives, their tenure last for three years renewable tenure.

Also, Inoma people relate with government through the office of Igwe and PG president general. Now, the current Igwe of Inoma is His Royal Majesty Igwe EMMANUEL CHUKWUKA OLLOTAH, Onoja 1 of Inoma.

CONCLUSIONS: Inoma is a vast acres of land for Olumbanasa, a land flowing with milk and honey with divine deserting and protect.

Written by:  EMEKA ENETU (MR EMEKA) Source: ORAL INFORMATION AND PART OF CATECHIST PETER ALAOBOJA’S WORK

Edited by: MR EMEKA ENETU