OdenigboAroli:


And how do we know that the Adama of Nri who Eri met on ground were not older than Isu?
You see,we cant be in a hurry to make conclusions here. I admit the Isu were probably there before Eri arrived but they are certainly not the only group present,as evidenced by the Adama accounts. And how do we know Isu spoke Igbo before Eri arrived. It is apparent that Eri culture spread,influenced and shaped what is known as Igbo identity,TODAY! So,how are we sure this colonization didn't go in line with Eri language, I.e Igbo language ?

OdenigboAroli:


And how do we know that the Adama of Nri who Eri met on ground were not older than Isu?
You see,we cant be in a hurry to make conclusions here. I admit the Isu were probably there before Eri arrived but they are certainly not the only group present,as evidenced by the Adama accounts. And how do we know Isu spoke Igbo before Eri arrived. It is apparent that Eri culture spread,influenced and shaped what is known as Igbo identity,TODAY! So,how are we sure this colonization didn't go in line with Eri language, I.e Igbo language ?

ChinenyeN:
Considering all that we so far know, it seems unlikely that Adama is a separate group from Isu. Isu traditions are rather clear in that their ancestors were settled in the Nri-Awka region of Anambra before Eri elements migrated in. Their traditions (at least, those that we've so far been made aware of) are also silent about the existence of another [or other] distinct autochthonous group[s] in that axis. So, unless we've got reason enough to suspect otherwise, I'd say it's a likely bet that the Adama are also Isu.

Also, not every Isu group bears "Isu" in its place-name or uses it as a direct ethnonym. In fact, I'd venture to say that only a handful actually do, and they tend to be clustered in the southern section of the Awka-Orlu uplands. However, that's not enough to exclude the surviving autochthonous settlements in the northern section of the Awka-Orlu uplands which Isu ancestors are recognized as having settled.

Also, I'm not sure how material the following piece of information is to this discussion, but I'll include it regardless. For any who may not be aware, Isu as a collective could probably lay claim to being the one group in the Igbo area with the greatest diversity of dialects.

Ihuomadinihu: I kwuru ezi uka. Anyway,how are Ohuhus not Isu?

ChinenyeN:
It would be presumptuous to state that the Isu speak the most ancient form of Igbo, just by virtue of their aboriginal tradition and geographical location. Isu is just one group among a list of others with an aboriginal tradition. Focusing solely on Isu and consequently neglecting others is an oversight. In fact, it is the very same oversight (or maybe purposeful blunder) that Igbo historians have been guilty of for decades now.

If anything, we can reasonably expect the Isu speech forms to have experienced their own fair share of innovation. The Isu 'homeland' is around the Awka-Orlu axis. That is where they have their autochthony. A good chunk of that region also fell within Nri sphere of influence. We can be certain that Eri elements introduced new linguistic features upon settling in the Isu homeland (as Radoillo rightly pointed out). The introduction of these new linguistic features, and the interaction with Eri elements prior to the Isu southerly expansion, would most certainly have affected Isu lects. There's no reason to believe otherwise.

We then rightly have to apply this same criteria to other groups. In doing so, we see that it is very difficult (if not impossible) to claim that so and so group speaks "the most ancient Igbo". On top everything, we must admit that we don't really know what "ancient Igbo" even is. We were having an interesting discussion about it earlier this year though, but then the NL hack wiped that wonderful discourse from the server.

ChinenyeN:


Before I respond, let's just make sure we're on the same page. Who are you speaking of when you say "Ohuhu"?

OdenigboAroli:


If at all there were ichi rituals among Isu then they must have borrowed it from the Nri.
From what I am beginning to understand,Isu were probably one of the primitive aboriginals inhabiting the lower Omanbala area. I know there were Adamas but we Nri doest have any legends about Isu like we have of Adama Nri. Basically,we dont know anything about them.

Ihuomadinihu: Ohuhu community,Umuahia.

Ihuomadinihu:

Lol,we are not interested in Nri for now. From all accounts,Nris migrated and adopted the ways of the aboriginal people. Nobody is trying to conceal Eri's presence in igbo history.
This is about Isus,their origin and dialect.

Ihuomadinihu:

Apologies for that oversight,but i've always regarded Isu as the oldest aboringals of Igbo land. Can you list the other groups with a similar tradition.

OdenigboAroli:
Well,opinion bases on emotionally driven conceptions will not stand when the truth surfaces.
There is no defined Isu region of settlement,all we know is the probable. And its sheer ignorance for anybody to say Isu and Adama is the same...This lie should be punishable by stoning to DEATH. Adama of Nri know themselves and tbey never refer to themselves as Isu ,so I dont understand the foolish comments being peddled around. Go to the Adamas and ask them if the are Isu and see what they tells you.
Who is even Isu?
Isu are just very primitive aboriginals with little or no civilization whom were refined and colonized by Eri religion,teaching and culture. Anybody surprised why Isu culture is non Existent.
Ikpu alu and isa ile is one of the tradition Eri introduced to cleanse and refine the aboriginals.

chulla12:


Why do you have resort to such ugly and hateful words when describing your own brothers?

Man people are messed up.

chulla12:


Why do you have resort to such ugly and hateful words when describing your own brothers?

Man people are messed up.

ChinenyeN:


Mind going into more detail on this, with examples as well? I'm interested in hearing it.

We can be certain that Eri elements introduced new linguistic features upon settling in the Isu homeland (as Radoillo rightly pointed out). The introduction of these new linguistic features, and the interaction with Eri elements prior to the Isu southerly expansion, would most certainly have affected Isu lects. There's no reason to believe otherwise.

In my opinion, Adama is a compound word: Ada + Ama= the first /original people of the area.

Radoillo: I will hesitate to tie the (hypothetical) arrivals from the Anambra Valley, who introduced the stereotypical Anambra dialectical strain, to any single cultural group. The ‘Anambranization’ of the Awka uplands probably pre-dates the rise of Nri hegemony. The ancestors of the modern Nnewi people who have traditions of pushing the Isu southwards are not of Eri descent, for example.