Perspectives On Aro History & Civilization: The Splendour of a Great Past

Nigeria

PERSPECTIVES ON ARO HISTORY & CIVILIZATION

The Splendour of a Great Past

Vol. 1

Mazi Azubike Okoro & Mazi Ben Ezumah

Copyright © 2014 Mazi Azubike Okoro & Mazi Ben Ezumah.

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ISBN: 978-1-4834-1296-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-1295-5 (e)

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Content

Foreword

Preface

List of Contributors

Prologue : In Search of Aro History

Chapter 1: Aro Golden Age - 1750-1902

Chapter 2: Thoughts on the Challenges of the New Millennium

a.   Thoughts on the challenges of the new millennium

b.   Arochukwu: Challenges of the new millennium

c.   Battle of Muzanga: Travesty of truth

d.   Aro expedition centenary celebrations

e.   Aro News at One

f.   Governments and Burden of Accountability

Chapter 3: Contemporary Issues in Aro History

a.   lzuogu 2000: Aros set Agenda for 21st century.. Swear oath of Unity

b.   Eze Aro: The Journey to the Throne

c.   Amuvi Mourns.., as Eze Ogo Goes Home

d.nd All-Aro National Conference takes-off, Ndizuogo Plays Host

e.   Aros Reject Autonomous Community

f.   AROSON ushers in New Millennium - Holds 60th NEC at Abuja

g.   Eze Aro Bags National Honor

Chapter 4: Grey Areas of Aro History & Culture

a.   Aro Society between 1850 - 1902

b.   Marriage Ceremonies in Arochukwu

c.   Reflections on the Symbolism of the Aro Coat of Arm

d.   Steps towards Poverty Alleviation in Aro

e.   Our commitment to the Uplifoment of Aro kingdom

f.   Building on the Debris of a Great Past - Inside story of the 1st All-Aro National Conference

g.   Ogugu lkeji Aro: It’s Meaning within a Calenderic System

h.   Origin, History & Significance of Omu Aro

i.   Some Grey Areas of Aro history & culture

j.   In Search of Amuvi History

Chapter 5: Thoughts on the Development of Aro Society

a.   World Press Conference by Eze Aro on the Centenary Anniversary of Aro expedition

b.   Nzuko Aros’ position on the Creation of lbom lsii Autonomous Community

c.   The Autonomous Community Blues

d.   Remain Good Ambassadors of Aro kingdom… Eze Aro urges Aro News Editors

e.   The Quality of Human life in the Nigerian Environment: A Critical Evaluation

f.   Revisiting the Aro Expedition of 1900 - 1902

g.   Age Grade System in Aro: - Role & Relevance in Changing Times

h.   Education in Arochukwu

1.   Obsession for Titles

j.   Re-positioning Aro for Greatness in the 21 Century

k.   That lkeji may not Die

Chapter 6: Thoughts at the Meridian

a.   2nd All-Aro National Conference - Matters arising

b.   Aro Girls are ‘hot cake", Aren’t they?

c.   Millennial Greetings

d.   Aro News and its Reception

e.   Passages

f.   Mazi Fred Okereke Uja Okoro Akuma Oziza: A Tribute

Chapter 7: Concluding Remarks: The Centenary Anniversary Event

a.   The Obnoxious Label

b.   Why the fanfare

c.   The Other Side of the Coin

Epilogue: Good Wine Needs no Bush

Images

Endnotes

Foreword

I thank Almighty God for the opportunity of writing the forward to this work. Perhaps, a few remarks on our antecedent would provide enough insight which would enable readers to appreciate the value and worth of this book. Though I had a stint in journalism earlier in my career, there was no immediate plan to restart it this soon, even as a hobby. However, in 1997 while chairing the executive body of Amuvi Welfare Union, Abuja Branch, interplay of forces made it imperative. At Abuja, the branch union was still nursing injuries caused by personality clashes and intra-group conflicts among contending interests; back at Aro, the central body was trying to lay a new foundation for the village which had just survived over seven years of crisis arising from tussle for the Eze Ogo stool. Hence, the need for a platform to articulate, educate and inform the citizenry on issues of common interest and the gains of being united was greatly felt. I recognized this gap in information and communication and what dangers it posed and quickly organized my colleagues to bridge it.

In addition, we were not oblivious of the circumstances around Arochukwu then which required a serious medium that would act as a vanguard in its quest to re-event itself after about eight years of rancor and vacuum in its highest traditional authority stool. In this wise, I recall with delight our meeting with Okpankpo Aro during the public presentation of Aro News to Eze Aro in council, the frank advice of the Aro Monarch which rekindled our faith in the project. In that same event, Mazi E O Okorafor (Avonta) stirred patriotic sentiments when he wished that the medium could cater for the general and peculiar interests of the ancient kingdom. Given the above circumstances therefore, the mission of the publication was clear:- a forum for critical examination, evaluation, dissemination and discussion of views, information and ideas which concern Arochukwu as a socio-political and cultural entity, to promote cultural affinity, socialization, cultural and traditional education and sustainable development; to highlight historical landmarks and re-visit or re-trace significant events in history which made Aro an indispensable force in the history of West Africa uptil 1900. The debut of Aro News in 1997 was therefore, opportuned given the fact that the community was then unequivocally poised on the threshold of political, socio-economic and cultural transformation. As we quite understand, change, like the phenomenon of birth is often accompanied by pain and anxiety and where it is not properly handled, disastrous consequences always result. So the medium couldn’t have emerged at a better time. J. P Clark stated it better in The Last Wish, Now that where l am going is nearer than where I began, may I be like the emerging child if the arrival is into light.

Our team was drawn from diverse backgrounds. Some were professional journalists, some were academics, and some were consultants while others were people who were generally interested in literary works irrespective of their callings in life. Most were people I had the privilege of having worked with or had contact with at various times. The common link among them was the consummate ambition to grip the attention of all who loves and cherishes inquiry into knowledge, particularly as it concerns Aro issues. For completion of information, I shall not fail to note that it was our initial idea to publish under the auspices of Amuvi umbrella union but higher issues of patriotism, larger interests of Aro cum persuasions convinced us to the contrary.

In the past five years, Aro News has been very well received by our numerous readers locally and internationally. About two years ago, we started receiving enquiries from people who would want to have all the past editions of the publication. This is, no doubt, understandable given its historical and academic bent. Some university libraries and a few archives made such requests but we were unable to satisfy their demands.

Also, individuals like Mazi Gibson lhe of Amuvi, Arochukwu expressed desire to have the publication in a more handy size to enhance its storage for future generations. More over, these enquiries and reactions were received at a time when Aro kingdom was seriously preparing to host the world in commemoration of the Centenary Anniversary of the Anglo-Aro war of 1901. Major events are earmarked to celebrate the event and guests are expected from the world over. The editorial board thought over these issues and decided that a collector’s item, which this work is, would be the best way of meeting all the demands. Besides, it was equally believed that it would be an ideal centenary anniversary souvenir. What you are holding therefore, is a collection of major articles written by various authors that were published in Aro News between 1997-2000. That being the case, we do not claim any originality in the ideas espoused therein as our role was limited to re-packaging and editing the text to desired shape. I therefore, wish to thank all those who contributed articles for us in the past five years and thus, qualified to get a mention in this historic text. Every article is made to carry the by-line of the writer as they would be too many to mention individually. But in a.special way, I want to acknowledge the invaluable role of my colleague at Aro News, incidentally the editor - Mazi Ben Ezumah who in the last five years bore the brunt with me of ensuring that we appear at newsstands regularly. His words of encouragement at times when I was financially broke to pick up production costs assisted greatly to sustain the medium.

Also, we profited immensely from the intellectual reservoir of Mazi Chris Aniche Okorafor. The number of his articles in this collection is enough testimony to his onerous efforts and intellectual depth. We remain indebted to him in our collective service to the fatherland. More over, along the line the third leg that would have completed the tripod at inception lheanyi Ochor left the editorial board by choice. We acknowledge his immense contributions at the critical gestation stage. Furthermore, I will not fail to acknowledge the special role played by my family in this endeavor. Sometimes, I actually denied them due privileges - especially my time, to ensure that we do not fail to produce timely.

Again, from the onset, we defined and aimed at our target audience. Without pretending to be like every other Aro-based newspaper i.e. a social diary of sort, we aimed to be different perhaps, by the intellectual tone of our reports. But a lot of people who did not understand our philosophy felt concerned and suggested ways to reposition the medium. To all of you, I owe a lot of gratitude.

At the editorial board, we recognize the fact that knowledge is freedom, and also power. Without it, we believe, a man stumbles, a community falters and a people perish. Accordingly, it has remained our vision and intention to continue to uplift the standard of the publication so as to justify the expectations of our numerous readers. In this wise, to the extent that what the medium preached in the last five years added value to the body of knowledge which directed our community towards the path of greatness, and to the extent that it remained the point of light in darkness that inspired and encouraged our people that the future harbored greater and nobler attainments; to that extent we have largely succeeded in our mission. This is the standard by which we want our readers to continue to judge us as we strive to lay a solid foundation for posterity.

Finally, I shall not fail to point out that our primary constituency remains Aro - both at homestead Arochukwu and in diaspora and, beyond that, Igbo race and mankind. In the years ahead, we shall continue, as usual, to be patriotic, independent and committed to making a mark in the annals of Aro history and civilization. God willing, we shall succeed. Meanwhile, Please accept the assurances of my highest regard and I wish all a happy Centenary Anniversary celebration.

Mazi Azubike Okoro

Publisher/Editor-In-Chief

Abuja, June 30th, 2001

Preface

The changes brought about by slave trade and colonialism in most societies have continued to attract serious cormmentaries and books of this nature. Chinua Achebe in his book, Anthills of the Savannah attests that all over the world the labour of serfs, starving peasants and slaves were used to erect cathedrals, pyramids and stone towers. While the slaves from Africa were used to develop other continents, African Societies were neglected and today they are under developed and suffer from stunted growth, sapped energies and lethargy. That is not all; the continent is also affected by widespread poverty, diseases and disillusionment.

Aro Kingdom was almost at the peak of its greatness when the British imperialists invaded her territory. This incidence was replicated all over the continent, where societies evolving naturally at their own pace and potentials were systematically imperiled, broken up and ultimately destroyed. Bini, Kanem-Borno, Ashanti, Songhai, Mali, etc suffered this fate. The aftermath of the monumental destruction, trauma, and distortion are evident and the traces still manifest themselves in our societies. Walter Rodney articulated these issues most eloquently in his celebrated, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. The siege has continued unabated, and that is why the agitation for reparation to Africa has always been ignored by the Western imperialist powers. The cry for debt forgiveness or rescheduling is also being rebuffed and treated with paralyzing levity.

Undoubtedly, the truth remains incontrovertible that Africa was mindlessly impoverished, ravaged and plundered for centuries by the West. It is therefore only fair that the exploiters of Africa be made accountable for their heinous crimes. Moreso, when such payments have been made to the Jews by several countries for the crimes committed against them during the world wars.

The members of the Editorial Board of Aro News have done a lot of work in preparing this reference guide and compendium of fresh data and materials on Aro history and civilization. They have also drawn attention to some salient issues in Aro history which are yet to be successfully resolved by Historians, Anthropologists, Sociologists, etc. They have done so in a simple, lucid and free-flowing prose which would enable readers to easily comprehend the events. The challenge of this work therefore lies in its ability to stimulate scholarly discourse out of which the dynamics of Aro history and culture may arise. This depth of information, which could be said to be the most current on the subject, speaks volumes about the ingenuity and intellectual strength of the editors.

I recommend their efforts and also recommend the book to all Aro and non-Aro who are interested in Aro history, ideology, customs and traditions. While congratulating the initiative and dynamism of Mazi Azubike Okoro and Nwa-Mazi Ben Ezumah, Publisher/ Editor in-Chief and Editor of Aro News respectively, I strongly recommend that you pick copies of this book for your family libraries and friends.

Mazi Dave Imoko

Secretary-General, Nzuko Aro

Member, Aro 2002 Commission Abuja, Nigeria

June, 2001

List of Contributors

1.   Dr Azubike Okoro, Publisher/Editor In-Chief

2.   Mazi BenEzumah, Editor

3.   Professor Chris Aniche Okorafor

4.   His Majesty, Mazi V O Okoro, Eze Aro XIII of Arochukwu

5.   Elder Jonathan Nwagba Oji

6.   Engr. Alex Ezurnah

6.   Editorial suite

7.   Nzuko Arochukwu

8.   Barrister Ndy Nwankwo

9.   Professor Bona Emeruwa

Prologue

In Search of Aro History: - The Confederation of Three Dynasties

As is now generally accepted, early tenth century anno domino, witnessed the fusion of three dynasties in the south eastern zone of Nigeria, into the nation state Aro. There was the Ibibio clan of Obong Okon Ita dynasty with its seat of government in Obot Okon Ita. The other two contingent dynasties, located north and north-east of this Ibibio territory were the Igbo dynasty of Mazi Agwu Inobia, a blacksmith with his seat of government in Akanu Amanagwu, and the Igbo dynasty of Mazi Nnachi Ipia, a traditional medicine man with his seat of government in Utughugwu.

The need for peaceful co-existence between the Ibibio tribes at this border reign, led to the marriage alliance of Obong Okon Ita dynasty with that of Mazi Agwu Inobia. But subsequent territorial ambitions by the Igbo dynasties, dictated the need at the passing away of Obong Okon Ita, to prompt and support Ulu AKakpokpo at Okon, the ulu [second son] of Obong Okon Ita by the marriage to an Igbo lady, to succeed to the Obongship in place of his elder brother Akpan Okon.

The Coup d-etat at which was very much resisted led to a protracted and unprecedented conflict in the region that it required the engagement of a mercenary force of Akpa Warriors from across the lower Cross River Area located north of Akamkpa, South of Ogoja and West of Obubra. This mercenary army was contracted by Mazi Nnachi Ipia. When the war ended in favour of Ulu Okon, by some queer coincidence, he himself and Osim, the leader of the Akpa Warriors, were among the causalities. This double loss of leadership by the two non-Igbo parties in the war effort was very much suspect and the conflict was to have led to a feudal strife.

In a compromised solution to this conflict, Osim’s lieutenant, Akuma Nnubi was offered the primacy and suzerainty of the emergent confederacy which was later to be called Arochukwu. The mercenary army then settled for good in Ibom Oburutu [Ibom Etiti]. The Ulu Okon dynasty naturally fussed by cultural matrilineal kinship with Mazi Agwu Inobia dynasty where it retained its erstwhile primacy.

The resultant confederacy therefore, consisted of three independent and autonomous dynasties but was nevertheless collectively labeled by the sacked Ibibios as Ulu Okon dynasty, and is to this day known in its corrupted form of Inokon by the Ibibios and Efiks. Parallel corruption of the name, Ulu among the other Igbo tribes, later crystallized into the name Aro. The adjectival suffice Chukwu was later added when the worship at the Ibit Itam shrine dedicated to the deity of Obong Okon Ita dynasty was popularized among, and became extensively influential within the Igbo tribes as an omniscient oracle and omnipotent deity.

Necessary political adjustments within the confederacy, called to transference of primacy from the Akuma Nnubi dynasty to that principal who recruited the mercenary army in the first instance, namely Nnachi Ipia dynasty. Consequently, the primacy of dynasties within the Aro confederacy has reposed with the lineage of Nnachi Ipia, not in absolute terms, but in the uniquely triumvirate model of a republican confederacy.

Each of the dynasties [now labeled clans] expanded into various city states, currently labeled Ogo [now loosely called village]. Each Ogo was in turn composed of several Ezi, [loosely called family or compound]. A pyramidal structure of Ezeship, stretches from the clan down to the compound. As each ezi has an Eze, so does each Ogo, and each clan. This leaves a triumvirate at the top of which one is the primate though not in an absolute sense. We are all conversant with the stereotype English expression of our fathers in inter pares [first among equals]. The term equals does not though include the Eze-ogo and definitely not the Eze-ezi, but the Eze of the root of Nnachi Ipia; the Eze Eze Agwu of Ulu lineage, and Eze Ibom Isii of Osim/Akuma Nnubi lineage.

This city state [Ogo] had autonomy of governance and the emergence and growth of the Aro Empire was due to the independent expeditionary trade and foreign relations of their individual influential merchants. The situation was very much the same as in the birth, composition and growth of some other well documented empires such as that of Rome and Greece. Unlike the British Empire, no Aro expeditionary merchant [Okoroji or Izuogu for instance] ever took control of a territory in the name of the King. Whatever was done by the individual or the city state was done for his or its own interest, but without prejudice to or compromise of the welfare of Aro commonwealth. This explains why Aro Empire and governance has always been and always will be that of republican confederacy and why a unitary governance of administration is an inconceivable anathema to the Aroman.

CHAPTER ONE

Aro Golden Age - 1750-1902

(Antecedents of its rise and fall)

- Professor Chris Aniche Okorafor

Introduction:

To meaningfully discuss the Aro Golden Age, some of its relevant internal and external factors must be brought to the fore-ground. Most of these were occurring almost concurrently or in close successions that they must be seen as having influenced the founding, growth and decline of the Aro confederacy and hegemony. Earlier publications had given a brief introduction of the Founding Fathers of the confederacy in the discussion on "Reflections on the symbolism of the Aro coat of arm" - Chapter Four. (See also the Prologue). This paper presumes that we have read that article and only adds on a few paragraphs as a link to the current discussion.

We must at this stage premise for obvious reasons that this discussion is based on extensive research on facts of history; generally accepted but verifiably realistic and rational oral traditions; and methodically derived inferences from both. For instance, any oral tradition that assigns the name Agbagwu to a city state implying that it was derived from the fact that the Akpa warriors ran out of gun powder in that location is definitely not acceptable. It is anachronistic. The Ibibio war was about 1534, and guns were not introduced in the entire area until about 1642, a span of over a hundred years. We therefore have made very strenous effort to avoid such inferences from a fog of inadequate and inaccurate reasoning in Aro history. A renowned Professor states that development of theories is by distinguishing between what is assumed, what is known, and what can be inferred. His learned colleague has also said that if you want literal realism, look at the world around you; if you want understanding, look at theories.

These maxims have greatly influenced the dating of persons and events in the nucleic town, its subsequent metamorphosis as a confederacy and acquisition of the name Arochukwu, its growth and stultification by the British invasion. We are also emboldened by the extensive research of Professor M. B. Abasiattai of University of Calabar’s dates in his work on "History of Cross River State. The learned Professor, using available Efik king-lists, and applying a mean reign of 11.8 years, dates the Igbo-Ibibio" war to between 1500 and 1550, but specifically suggests 1534.

The dating we have employed is also in consonance with the age-old and persisting tradition of the Uke (Age Grade) system of social mobilization and governance celebrated as a rite of passage among Cross River Igbo and neighboring societies eastwards right beyond the Oban Hills. As the structure of the age grade is organic, each male belongs to an age grade. These traditional societies recognized and acclaimed nobility enhanced by merit. A male child’s first association with the group that would eventually assume an age grade classification is on the day he makes his first kill with his own bow and arrow. It may be just a bird or a squirrel. For an average child this should occur before attaining his tenth birthday. After parading the village square with his trophy in company of boys about his age, give or take three years, they eventually share the kill and the presents given to him by the villagers as prize for his first demonstration of his manly quality.

By the time the boy has attained the age of puberty, his age mates now formally organized undertake general sanitation works in the village, such as roads maintenance and providing raphia palm fronds for roofing the village hall. During this period each child devotes his time to learning one profession, trade or craft. By about age 25, their age grade is formally recognized and given an official name (Izara Ava). Simultaneous with this recognition of a new age grade is the passing into governance status of yet another age grade, averaging 50 years and above, which now retires from community labor into the hallowed and revered status of village governance (Igba Uche)

Between these two age grades, are usually three others groups of age grades about the ages of 30 to 36; 37 to 43 and, 44 to 50. As the youngest age grade (25-29