How significant is the Omu Anioma?cc pazienza, bigfrancis21 ishilove amarabae ngozi123 Dedetwo ChinenyeN selemempe, Lovelyn451, Armaggedon, SlayerForever, gidgiddy

Those that know me on this forum know that I always support the inclusiveness of women in Igbo affairs.

As a matter of fact, I only just recently discovered that their was a female throne in Igbo land.

I had assumed that the most powerful and relevant Monarchs were Kings and Men.

Thus, had previously advocated for a Female throne in Anambra from the Ojukwu lineage.

This was before i discovered the Omu Anioma.

Makes me wonder how significant is this Throne in the grand scheme of things in Ala-Igbo.

The Omu does not sit on any throne. She is just a traditional title holder

gidgiddy:
The Omu does not sit on any throne. She is just a traditional title holder

Really?

That was wat i thought, becos if their was a Female throne in Igboland, I would have known about it.

I only recently discovered a lady with Red cap and title Omu Anioma, I no come understand again.

most of the monarchs were british creations, and after the Women's War the British began dissolving women's titles and authority in Igboland because through them the resistance and coordination of the women's war was possible.

Igbo society is run by community congresses. Men's (Umunnadi) and Women's (Umuada). Both are separate and deal with separate affairs. Men's congress deals with laws concerning men, land, disputes between men, titles, wars, and diplomacy with other communities. Women's congress deals with market laws, disputes between women, integration of wives into community, etc. At any point each can elect a leader so if you want to call that a 'throne' you can, though there is no igbo word for 'throne'.

At certain times of the year, particular masquerade and title societies governed a town and these were usually male only and joined through initiation and training.


the last Omu of Onitsha was also the richest woman in Igboland in her time. Her land was used to build Onitsha Main Market (in case people still believe women 'couldn't own land')

it's also important to remember that it is an earned title and not an inherited 'throne'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omu_Okwei

@gidgiddy, Just so am not mistaking, this Omu Anioma title is no different to Omu Eze title of Stella Oduah right?

But Anioma people constantly state that they are not Igbos.
What concerns Omu or whatever her title is with the Igbos?

We have Aniomaland and Igboland.
You don't muzzle the two together
Which one exactly.
mynd44 move this to culture section.

J111333:
But Anioma people constantly state that they are not Igbos.
What concerns Omu or whatever her title is with the Igbos?

MelesZenawi:
We have Aniomaland and Igboland.

You don't muzzle the two together

Which one exactly.

mynd44 move this to culture section.

Where are u both from?

Tell us the truth now, dont lie.

I hope not South West as usual?

hammer0:


Where are u both from?
Tell us the truth now, dont lie.
I hope not South West as usual?

Answer the question
Anu

MelesZenawi:


Answer the question

Anu

Wat question?

OruExpress:
most of the monarchs were british creations, and after the Women's War the British began dissolving women's titles and authority in Igboland because through them the resistance and coordination of the women's war was possible.

Igbo society is run by community congresses. Men's (Umunnadi) and Women's (Umuada). Both are separate and deal with separate affairs. Men's congress deals with laws concerning men, land, disputes between men, titles, wars, and diplomacy with other communities. Women's congress deals with market laws, disputes between women, integration of wives into community, etc. At any point each can elect a leader so if you want to call that a 'throne' you can, though there is no igbo word for 'throne'.

At certain times of the year, particular masquerade and title societies governed a town and these were usually male only and joined through initiation and training.


the last Omu of Onitsha was also the richest woman in Igboland in her time. Her land was used to build Onitsha Main Market (in case people still believe women 'couldn't own land')

it's also important to remember that it is an earned title and not an inherited 'throne'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omu_Okwei

I believe before the arrival of the British, Igbo women were included in all affairs of Igbo land and that included leadership.

The exclusive male domination of Igbo affairs began post colonization.

This was aided by the Church.

Igbo women are brilliant and given the same education opportunity as Igbo men.

The same university opportunity available to boys was made available to girls.

hammer0:
@gidgiddy, Just so am not mistaking, this Omu Anioma title is no different to Omu Eze title of Stella Oduah right?

Remember that Stalla Oduah is a princess.

Dedetwo:


Remember that Stalla Oduah is a princess.

I did not know dat?

So her Dad must have been Onye-Eze?

gidgiddy:
The Omu does not sit on any throne. She is just a traditional title holder

It is purely ceremonial and she cannot attend Mmanya Orie or appear in a Ekwuru. Though in the picture shown on this page, it appears the woman is well placed with deep pocket and she decided to elaborate her position. Nonetheless, her position as well as people in her circle carries strong and influential aura in Igbo land. When a generation of men in Igbo land are not following the foot step of their forbearers, women in her position will come to speak with voice of rebuke and caution.

hammer0:


I did not know dat?

So her Dad must have been Onye-Eze?

Her father is/was Eze.

MelesZenawi:
We have Aniomaland and Igboland.

You don't muzzle the two together

Which one exactly.

mynd44 move this to culture section.

My brother, ihukwam trouble.
These days, na who call me brother I dey call brother.
Those guys have consistently denied their Igboness so why this thread?

This leads to my next question, which is do we need a Female throne in Igbo land?

Who are the right candidate for such? cc pazienza, bigfrancis21 ishilove amarabae ngozi123 Dedetwo ChinenyeN selemempe, Lovelyn451, Armaggedon, SlayerForever, gidgiddy

Dedetwo:


Her father is/was Eze.

That is very interesting.

Do u think we need a Female throne in Igboland, born out of the Ojukwu legacy?

hammer0:


That is very interesting.

Do u think we need a Female thronein Igboland, born out of the Ojukwu legacy?

I do not think so.

Dedetwo:


I do not think so.

That would be like asking for trouble right?

The word "Anioma" was invented in the 50s or 60s and has been widely used here on Nairaland, so I assume the nlers or people who insist on saying Anioma all the time, have modern arrangements (perhaps the past 5 to 10 years) as their point of reference.

J111333:
But Anioma people constantly state that they are not Igbos.
What concerns Omu or whatever her title is with the Igbos?

Well you will have to tell us what ethnic group they belong to since there is no ethnic group called Anioma

nlPoster:
The word "Anioma" was invented in the 50s or 60s and has been widely used here on Nairaland, so I assume the nlers or people who insist on saying Anioma all the time, have modern arrangements (perhaps the past 5 to 10 years) as their point of reference.

This statement makes no sense and a classic example of what happens wen talk out of your depths.

MelesZenawi:
We have Aniomaland and Igboland.

You don't muzzle the two together

Which one exactly.

mynd44 move this to culture section.

Aniomaland is largely a part of igboland.

'Igbo bu igbo'

legitnow:


This statement makes sense and a classic example of what happens wen I talk out of my depths.

You are?

hammer0:
@gidgiddy, Just so am not mistaking, this Omu Anioma title is no different to Omu Eze title of Stella Oduah right?

You're very correct. The Omu title is found in some sections of Anioma and it's quite old.

Dedetwo:


Remember that Stalla Oduah is a princess.

Yes she's a princess but that's not the reason for making her the Omu of Atani/Ogbaru. It was a merited title.

The Ohafia, Abam, Arochukwu, Ihechiowa people are Igbos who respects the position of women folk.

When tracing their lineage, they acknowledge the ancestry of their mothers.

The Arochukwu people once had a female monarch and her name was Queen Mgbokwo Udo Omini (1799-1825).