CONCISE HISTORY OF UMUDIOKA TOWN ,IN DUNUKOFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE.
Writing a full history of communities has not been an easy task, but on this write-up, I will make it concised, for a layman to know the history of Umudioka town,in Dunukofia LGA.
Umudioka is an Igbo community centrally placed among the Igbo communities of Anambra State. Umudioka was previously under Idemmili North Local Government Area, before the creation of Dunukofia LGA as only Homogeneous Local Government in Nigeria. The origin of Umudioka town takes the pattern of most many centuries behind, when men in this part of the world wandered from one place to another in search of a suitable place to settle and toil for subsistence.
According to Dunukofia mythology, it was said that Dioka is the fourth son of Dunu of Okofia, which made Dioka to be the ancestor of the present day UMUDIOKA (meaning the children of Dioka).Umudioka people are normally referred as EZEBO.

VILLAGES IN UMUDIOKA
As the Umudioka town began to expand into villages,two major separation occurred. Some myths said that Dioka has two wives (Olioba and Adagbe) , why another myths has it that Dioka has two sons (Adagbe and Olioba) , but for better understanding of this article, I will view it as Quarters. The two Quaters of Umudioka are made up of :
1. ADAGBE:
The Adagbe Quaters consists of six (6) villages, namely
a. Okpuru
b. Uruowelle
c. Uruagu
d. Umuezekwo
e. Umuigha (Umueze)
f. Ugwu

2. OLIOBA:
The Olioba quarters consists of four (4) villages , namely
a. Akpom
b. Umuchigbo
c. Umuezechua
d. Umuajana.

In the Olioba quarter, Akpom is regarded as the headship of Umudioka , though, other villages disagreed saying that Akpom was a town of it's own assimilated into Umudioka ,because of their small size. Those who held that Akpom was different, buttressed their point by stating that in the days of "itu nru" (making or paying homage to the head of the town). All the villages in Olioba took their contributions to Okpuru except Akpom which did its own internally.
Formerly, all the villages in Adagbe took shares before those in Olioba. But a recent arrangement that was undertaken to ensure equal sense of belonging and justice made it for villages in the two quarters to take shares alternately. It is still practiced up until now.

OLDEN OCCUPATION OF NDI UMUDIOKA
Dioka chose Igbuichi (facial sacrification) as his occupation. As his father Dunu wanted to settle him (though this didn't mean that he abandoned other things- hunting, farming entirely). When his father Dunu demanded further clarification of what he meant, he (Dioka) took a knife from Nnachi and demonstrated it on the bark of a tree. The "mma nka", was formed and given to him (a sharp knife-like object used in the sacrification). Thus in the whole of Igboland, Dioka and later his children were the only people that had the "mma nka", hence, the only people that gave the "ichi mark" in the whole of Igboland. It should be noted that "Igbu ichi" was entirely different from what we all know as tribal mark.
Dioka and his children were great travellers equalled only by the people of Awka (Blacksmiths).They did not only give the "ichi" (facial scarification), but also person performed other functions like "Iwa eze" (parting of the frontal teeth), "igwe ogwu" (traditional healing), "mbibi" and "okika" for pregnant woman.

MARKET IN UMUDIOKA
Umudioka community has one of the best market in Igbo land. It is called Afor-igwe market, Umudioka. It is formerly a four days market that do have many buyers and sellers on Afor market day, but in this present times, Afor-igwe has not only became a daily market, but one of the most busiest markets in Igbo land. In Afor-igwe market, it is one of the places you can get a variety of food stuffs, especially beef and bitter leaves. The market is suited at the heart of Umudioka and that makes it easy to access. It has an opportunity to grow and I see it as one of the greatest business hubs in Africa.

RIVERS IN UMUDIOKA
Umudioka has some streams and rivers, which the notable ones are Nkisi Umudioka, Ogba nenu and Mmiri Mkpukpa, now regarded as Mmiri Jesus. Mmiri Nkisi has been one of the busiest river in Anambra, though it might not have big river bank for fishing, but it is popular known for washing of bitter leave in Anambra state.


FESTIVALS OF NDI UMUDIOKA .
Umudioka celebrated the below listed festivals in the past,only a few of them survive the modernization :
1.ICHU AJA ARO: It was a celebration to mark to mark the end the end of a year and usher in the new year.

2. UKWU NA IJE: It is a feast to thank the gods of the land for their guidance to and successful return from OSU (travel)

3. MKPUKPA: This festival was celebrated after cultivation, to mark rest from work.

4. NEZE: It was an arbiter of peace in the land ,thus ,the people swore or took oath before it. The ceremonywas performed to it for it's protection during the past year and for the years ahead.

5. OGBAEGBE: It was made for vengeance against evildoers in the land. Also taken as an oath , it is normallycelebrated two weeks after celebration of mkpukpa and neze.

6. OGWUGWU: The deity is feminine. It was celebrated three weeks after neze or as stipulated by the custodian. Each village in Umudioka has its own OGWUGWU. The celebration is normally on Nkwo market day.

7. IWAJI OR ALOMMOU: This was usually two weeks after Agwu had been celebrated. This festival is to mark the beginning of eating of new yam.

8. MMA NKA: It is celebration of craftsmanship (Igbu-ichi)

9. ALOMCHI:It is a feast of thanksgiving to Ani, the god of fertility.

10. EDE OPOTO
11. MGBA AGBOGHO
12. IME OGBU
13. AGWU

NDI UMUDIOKA IN DIASPORA
There are still other Umudiokas living away from the ancestry home. They are Diokas in the diaspora. Though they live very far away from their original homes, close contact is still maintained especially during important ceremonies.
These are other Umudioka in diaspora;
1. Umudioka Neni (Umudioka Ezenu): It was a man from Ngoka family from Ugwu village, Umudioka that migrated to Neni.

2. Umudioka Awka (Ajajaja Awka): They settled at Awka as a result of Ije osu.

3. Umudioka Orlu (Ije Osu): It was born out of ije osu business.

4. Umudioka Awkuzu: They originated from Umuezechua village, Umudioka.

5. Umudioka Okija: They were part of the Umudioka at Neni.

6. Umudioka Nzam : They were born out of osu business.

7. Umudioka Achalla
8. Umudioka Obote (Ngwaland in Abia state)
9. Umudioka in Ojoto
10. Umudioga in River state etc.

TABOOS IN UMUDIOKA
The following below are regarded as Taboos (Alu) in Umudioka.
1. Adultery
2. Theft
3. Uprooting or cutting the tendrils of new planted yam or cocoyam
4. The setting of fire on a house or a barn
5. Climbing of palm treeor kolanut tree by woman
6. Killing of totem Animal (sacred pythons, sacred green snakes etc)
7.Murder
8. Suicide
9. Incest
10. Sexual intercourse with a woman still mourning her husband.

CHRISTIANITY IN UMUDIOKA
Anglican missionaries planted the first seed of Christianity in Umudioka in 1904 and the first Anglican priest was Late Rev Cannon B.O Nwosu ,who was ordained in 1979.
Roman Catholic sow their first seed in Umudioka in 1913 and the first Catholic priest was Late Monsignor V.J Madike,who was ordained in 1958.
There are some other notable factors of religious activities in Umudioka, Blessed Iwene Tansi was the first parish priest in Umudioka and Dunukofia region, and Umudioka son is currently the Catholic Archbishop of the Onitsha Dioceses.

IGWESHIP IN UMUDIOKA
Before we had a constituted Igweship system in Umudioka, Chief Mbachu (Umuezechua) ruled Olioba quarters as the paramount ruler, while Chief Okoye (Umuezekwo) ruled Adagbe quarters as Paramount ruler.
The first Igwe Umudioka was His Royal Highness, Igwe Solomon Nwafor Chukwunulu and he was coronated 17th of December, 1976 and was regarded as EZEDIOKA 1.
The second Igwe and present Igwe of Umudioka is His Royal Highness, Igwe Raphael Chukwurah and he was coronated on 21st May, 2019 after 15 years of igweship tussle. The igweship in Umudioka is rotating between the two Quaters of Umudioka.

PAST PRESIDENT GENERALS OF UMUDIOKA
Mr Simon Mgbatogu from Umuezechua village, who happened to be the first indigenous cathecist of Anglican church in Umudioka organized and formed the first ever union in Umudioka, which gave birth to Umudioka Improvement Union and he was regarded as pioneered head of U.I.U.
Others are once the president general of Umudioka, Chief Augustin Nweke, Chief Ikelie, Chief Patrick Ebolue, PA Uriel Igboneme, Mr Azubuike, Prof A.C Mbanefo, Sir B. A Ikeagwuonwu, Mr Cosmos Makachi, Bar Chuka Odenigbo, Bar C.U.U Ikebudu and Hon Chike Odoji (presently Care Taker Committee Chairman U.I.U).

NOTE: There is still room for constructive criticism on this article, which will help the writer be more elaborate in his next write up.

Com. Mgbatogu Victor
Umuezechua Village,
Umudioka.
Dunukofia.
07037211667.

Your history doesn't have timeline or the origin migration pattern, it seems to be mostly oral, all these should information should be there even in a 'layman's version'

observer2020:
CONCISE HISTORY OF UMUDIOKA TOWN ,IN DUNUKOFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE.
Writing a full history of communities has not been an easy task, but on this write-up, I will make it concised, for a layman to know the history of Umudioka town,in Dunukofia LGA.
Umudioka is an Igbo community centrally placed among the Igbo communities of Anambra State. Umudioka was previously under Idemmili North Local Government Area, before the creation of Dunukofia LGA as only Homogeneous Local Government in Nigeria. The origin of Umudioka town takes the pattern of most many centuries behind, when men in this part of the world wandered from one place to another in search of a suitable place to settle and toil for subsistence.
According to Dunukofia mythology, it was said that Dioka is the fourth son of Dunu of Okofia, which made Dioka to be the ancestor of the present day UMUDIOKA (meaning the children of Dioka).Umudioka people are normally referred as EZEBO.

VILLAGES IN UMUDIOKA
As the Umudioka town began to expand into villages,two major separation occurred. Some myths said that Dioka has two wives (Olioba and Adagbe) , why another myths has it that Dioka has two sons (Adagbe and Olioba) , but for better understanding of this article, I will view it as Quarters. The two Quaters of Umudioka are made up of :
1. ADAGBE:
The Adagbe Quaters consists of six (6) villages, namely
a. Okpuru
b. Uruowelle
c. Uruagu
d. Umuezekwo
e. Umuigha (Umueze)
f. Ugwu

2. OLIOBA:
The Olioba quarters consists of four (4) villages , namely
a. Akpom
b. Umuchigbo
c. Umuezechua
d. Umuajana.

In the Olioba quarter, Akpom is regarded as the headship of Umudioka , though, other villages disagreed saying that Akpom was a town of it's own assimilated into Umudioka ,because of their small size. Those who held that Akpom was different, buttressed their point by stating that in the days of "itu nru" (making or paying homage to the head of the town). All the villages in Olioba took their contributions to Okpuru except Akpom which did its own internally.
Formerly, all the villages in Adagbe took shares before those in Olioba. But a recent arrangement that was undertaken to ensure equal sense of belonging and justice made it for villages in the two quarters to take shares alternately. It is still practiced up until now.

OLDEN OCCUPATION OF NDI UMUDIOKA
Dioka chose Igbuichi (facial sacrification) as his occupation. As his father Dunu wanted to settle him (though this didn't mean that he abandoned other things- hunting, farming entirely). When his father Dunu demanded further clarification of what he meant, he (Dioka) took a knife from Nnachi and demonstrated it on the bark of a tree. The "mma nka", was formed and given to him (a sharp knife-like object used in the sacrification). Thus in the whole of Igboland, Dioka and later his children were the only people that had the "mma nka", hence, the only people that gave the "ichi mark" in the whole of Igboland. It should be noted that "Igbu ichi" was entirely different from what we all know as tribal mark.
Dioka and his children were great travellers equalled only by the people of Awka (Blacksmiths).They did not only give the "ichi" (facial scarification), but also person performed other functions like "Iwa eze" (parting of the frontal teeth), "igwe ogwu" (traditional healing), "mbibi" and "okika" for pregnant woman.

MARKET IN UMUDIOKA
Umudioka community has one of the best market in Igbo land. It is called Afor-igwe market, Umudioka. It is formerly a four days market that do have many buyers and sellers on Afor market day, but in this present times, Afor-igwe has not only became a daily market, but one of the most busiest markets in Igbo land. In Afor-igwe market, it is one of the places you can get a variety of food stuffs, especially beef and bitter leaves. The market is suited at the heart of Umudioka and that makes it easy to access. It has an opportunity to grow and I see it as one of the greatest business hubs in Africa.

RIVERS IN UMUDIOKA
Umudioka has some streams and rivers, which the notable ones are Nkisi Umudioka, Ogba nenu and Mmiri Mkpukpa, now regarded as Mmiri Jesus. Mmiri Nkisi has been one of the busiest river in Anambra, though it might not have big river bank for fishing, but it is popular known for washing of bitter leave in Anambra state.


FESTIVALS OF NDI UMUDIOKA .
Umudioka celebrated the below listed festivals in the past,only a few of them survive the modernization :
1.ICHU AJA ARO: It was a celebration to mark to mark the end the end of a year and usher in the new year.

2. UKWU NA IJE: It is a feast to thank the gods of the land for their guidance to and successful return from OSU (travel)

3. MKPUKPA: This festival was celebrated after cultivation, to mark rest from work.

4. NEZE: It was an arbiter of peace in the land ,thus ,the people swore or took oath before it. The ceremonywas performed to it for it's protection during the past year and for the years ahead.

5. OGBAEGBE: It was made for vengeance against evildoers in the land. Also taken as an oath , it is normallycelebrated two weeks after celebration of mkpukpa and neze.

6. OGWUGWU: The deity is feminine. It was celebrated three weeks after neze or as stipulated by the custodian. Each village in Umudioka has its own OGWUGWU. The celebration is normally on Nkwo market day.

7. IWAJI OR ALOMMOU: This was usually two weeks after Agwu had been celebrated. This festival is to mark the beginning of eating of new yam.

8. MMA NKA: It is celebration of craftsmanship (Igbu-ichi)

9. ALOMCHI:It is a feast of thanksgiving to Ani, the god of fertility.

10. EDE OPOTO
11. MGBA AGBOGHO
12. IME OGBU
13. AGWU

NDI UMUDIOKA IN DIASPORA
There are still other Umudiokas living away from the ancestry home. They are Diokas in the diaspora. Though they live very far away from their original homes, close contact is still maintained especially during important ceremonies.
These are other Umudioka in diaspora;
1. Umudioka Neni (Umudioka Ezenu): It was a man from Ngoka family from Ugwu village, Umudioka that migrated to Neni.

2. Umudioka Awka (Ajajaja Awka): They settled at Awka as a result of Ije osu.

3. Umudioka Orlu (Ije Osu): It was born out of ije osu business.

4. Umudioka Awkuzu: They originated from Umuezechua village, Umudioka.

5. Umudioka Okija: They were part of the Umudioka at Neni.

6. Umudioka Nzam : They were born out of osu business.

7. Umudioka Achalla
8. Umudioka Obote (Ngwaland in Abia state)
9. Umudioka in Ojoto
10. Umudioga in River state etc.

TABOOS IN UMUDIOKA
The following below are regarded as Taboos (Alu) in Umudioka.
1. Adultery
2. Theft
3. Uprooting or cutting the tendrils of new planted yam or cocoyam
4. The setting of fire on a house or a barn
5. Climbing of palm treeor kolanut tree by woman
6. Killing of totem Animal (sacred pythons, sacred green snakes etc)
7.Murder
8. Suicide
9. Incest
10. Sexual intercourse with a woman still mourning her husband.

CHRISTIANITY IN UMUDIOKA
Anglican missionaries planted the first seed of Christianity in Umudioka in 1904 and the first Anglican priest was Late Rev Cannon B.O Nwosu ,who was ordained in 1979.
Roman Catholic sow their first seed in Umudioka in 1913 and the first Catholic priest was Late Monsignor V.J Madike,who was ordained in 1958.
There are some other notable factors of religious activities in Umudioka, Blessed Iwene Tansi was the first parish priest in Umudioka and Dunukofia region, and Umudioka son is currently the Catholic Archbishop of the Onitsha Dioceses.

IGWESHIP IN UMUDIOKA
Before we had a constituted Igweship system in Umudioka, Chief Mbachu (Umuezechua) ruled Olioba quarters as the paramount ruler, while Chief Okoye (Umuezekwo) ruled Adagbe quarters as Paramount ruler.
The first Igwe Umudioka was His Royal Highness, Igwe Solomon Nwafor Chukwunulu and he was coronated 17th of December, 1976 and was regarded as EZEDIOKA 1.
The second Igwe and present Igwe of Umudioka is His Royal Highness, Igwe Raphael Chukwurah and he was coronated on 21st May, 2019 after 15 years of igweship tussle. The igweship in Umudioka is rotating between the two Quaters of Umudioka.

PAST PRESIDENT GENERALS OF UMUDIOKA
Mr Simon Mgbatogu from Umuezechua village, who happened to be the first indigenous cathecist of Anglican church in Umudioka organized and formed the first ever union in Umudioka, which gave birth to Umudioka Improvement Union and he was regarded as pioneered head of U.I.U.
Others are once the president general of Umudioka, Chief Augustin Nweke, Chief Ikelie, Chief Patrick Ebolue, PA Uriel Igboneme, Mr Azubuike, Prof A.C Mbanefo, Sir B. A Ikeagwuonwu, Mr Cosmos Makachi, Bar Chuka Odenigbo, Bar C.U.U Ikebudu and Hon Chike Odoji (presently Care Taker Committee Chairman U.I.U).

NOTE: There is still room for constructive criticism on this article, which will help the writer be more elaborate in his next write up.

Com. Mgbatogu Victor
Umuezechua Village,
Umudioka.
Dunukofia.
07037211667.

This my first time of reading something different about Igbuchi (facial sacrifice) because the popular version of the history/origin has been made/writing in a way that every thing about Igbuchi ( facial sacrifice) ,that it revolves around a particular group of Igbo people know as Nri/Eri Well my questions is about the people of Umudioka are they related to UmuEri/Nri and also what about Oka people are they historical related to Umudioka?.

letu:
This my first time of reading something different about Igbuchi (facial sacrifice) because the popular version of the history/origin has been made/writing in a way that every thing about Igbuchi ( facial sacrifice) ,that it revolves around a particular group of Igbo people know as Nri/Eri Well my questions is about the people of Umudioka are they related to UmuEri/Nri and also what about Oka people are they historical related to Umudioka?.

Umudioka people are different stock spread around Anambra during the time period Nri was existing. There is a village in Umuoji , Ideoma , that claim they originated from Umudioka , some from Ogbunike , Nri etc. My point is that in origin they were all different stock including aboriginal Oka but as you can see Oka also have migrations from elsewhere. So is with most Anambra towns , we are very intertwine and formed a near homogeneous culture, at least in theory. For instance, of all the festivals the op listed I can count three that Umuoji celebrates and I dont even know all our festivals.

Though, Umudioka were the official Ichi craftsmen there was still a style of Ichi design set exclusively for Nri people. That way we could detect who is Nri when we see one. These towns have been living side by side for centuries and developed almost a homogeneous culture. They exchanged cultures , inter married and meshed together. People dont understand when I used the phrase Omanbala culture.

Very excited to read about my town here, tho I have known about this history before now.

Some grown people in Awka do not know the Umudioka Awka migrated from Us.

I am super excited that I also read about my great grand father chief Okoye which I still beer his name.

The only history I’m not familiar with here are those numerous festivals in umudioka.

I’m proudly Ezebo, Ezigbo onye Dioka.

0

Theevilone:
Very excited to read about my town here, tho I have known about this history before now.

Some grown people in Awka do not know the Umudioka Awka migrated from Us.

I am super excited that I also read about my great grand father chief Okoye which I still beer his name.

The only history I’m not familiar with here are those numerous festivals in umudioka.

I’m proudly Ezebo, Ezigbo onye Dioka.

So , in Umudioka , you don't practice Nze na Ozo , Ndichie nor Otu Odu?

IDENNAA:


So , in Umudioka , you don't practice Nze na Ozo , Ndichie nor Otu Odu?

We do sir but am not sure of Otu Odu.

nengibo:
Your history doesn't have timeline or the origin migration pattern, it seems to be mostly oral, all these should information should be there even in a 'layman's version'

This sounds like what a Yoruba man would say. Wetin concern his narration with migration patterns or timeline. If you're looking for those, go to the library archive and find it.


Everything he said is accurate and for that, thank him for the piece of information not critic rubbishly

ifegen:



This sounds like what a Yoruba man would say. Wetin concern his narration with migration patterns or timeline. If you're looking for those, go to the library archive and find it.


Everything he said is accurate and for that, thank him for the piece of information not critic rubbishly

what has being Yoruba have to do with how history of a people should be stated, if you can't accept critic from the outside world, why don't you hold your discussions in a beer parlor?