Abiriba

Abiriba pronounced [/E`biriba`/] is an ancient Enuda kingdom in Abia State, in southeastern Nigeria, traditionally an Igbo speaking region. It is in the Ohafia local government area.[1]

Abiriba
Enuda city (Ancient Enuda kingdom ♚♔)
City
Nickname(s): 
The Small London
Abiriba
Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 5°42′N 7°44′E
Country Nigeria
StateAbia State
LGAOhafia
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)

History

The origin of the Abiriba people is not as speculative as the origin of other Igbos of southeastern Nigeria. Historical evidence supports the fact that Abiriba people have common ancestry with the Bahumono, Yakor, Ekoi tribes of cross river basin and the people of Arochukwu.[2] At Ekoi, constant disputes between the seven families under Ukpaghiri prompted the clan to move to Ena and finally to Akpa.[3] However, the Abiriba people found it difficult to settle in Akpa due to several issues with neighbours. Nevertheless, the death of Ukpaghiri led to the movement of Mbiriba and his group to Usukpam. Despite the fact they stayed there for many years, they were still never at peace with the neighbours [4]

Culture

Okpu Achi tree and its myth

At the heart of Abiriba —the very centre of the town—is a large, ancient tree "Okpu Achi" (Achi tree). The tree is both symbolic and spiritual; and many believe that in the event of its fall, water from Okpu Achi would engulf the entire Abiriba land. Legend also has it that the Ishimokoto River[5] is so mystical that when foreigners tried to leave town with a bottle of water from the river—the bottle broke apart and the water flew miles back to the river.

Notable people

Notable people from Abiriba include:

  • Uche Jombo Rodriguez ( Nollywood Actress ), Bourdex Telecom (The first Telecom operator in Nigeria before MTN or GLO).[6]
  • Ebitu Ukiwe (The Vice president and former Governor of Lagos State).[7]

References

[8][9][10]

  1. Egwu, Onyekachi; Ohaeri, Carmelita C.; Amaechi, Ebube C.; Ehisianya, Collins N.; Egwu, Onyekachi; Ohaeri, Carmelita C.; Amaechi, Ebube C.; Ehisianya, Collins N. (December 2018). "Distribution and abundance of mosquito larvae in Ohafia, Abia State, Nigeria". Cuadernos de Investigación UNED. 10 (2): 379–385. doi:10.22458/urj.v10i2.2166. ISSN 1659-4266.
  2. "The history of Abiriba people in Abia state - Opera News". ng.opera.news. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  3. "History of Abiriba - About Abiriba - Abiriba Enachioken". abiribaenachioken.com. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  4. Behrman, Cynthia (October 1982). "…And Showed His Neighbors Peace". Peace & Change. 8 (4): 79–84. doi:10.1111/j.1468-0130.1982.tb00479.x. ISSN 0149-0508.
  5. Abiriba Continued
  6. "Uche Jombo Archives". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
  7. "Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd) Archives". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
  8. Uche, K.O.(2008). The African community life. Lagos: Nelag & company Ltd
  9. Akuma, E.(n.d). The comprehensive history of Abiriba. Unpublished note
  10. Ndukwe, O.R.(2015). Public perception of community policing in Abiriba. Msc Thesis. University of Nigeria,Nsukka
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