Etche is a Local Government Area (LGA) in Rivers State , Nigeria , named after the Etche ( Echie) people of Southern Nigeria. The Etche are Igbo people and they speak Igbo language. They also inhabit Omuma LGA; Etche/Omuma is a National Assembly constituency. Etche communities include Akwu/Obuor , Chokocho, Chokota, Egwi, Afara, Mba, Ikwerengwo , Okehi, Ulakwo , Umuakonu, Umuebulu, Umuechem , egbeke Igbodo the ancestral home of Etche (Igbodo is made up o the following communities; Umuohiaukwu, Umuusharam, Umuoga, Okonocho, Umuine, Umudi, Umunkwa, Umuohie, Amaku, Obibi, Ezeleaka, Umuisi]. People Etche is the first settler or founder of “Etche” land. One oral tradition has it that he is a man called “Echefu”, who was corruptly named “Etche”. Another version says that his name is “Eche”, whose name was anglicized or colonially spelt “Etche”. But one thing is clear; whether the name is “Etche”, “Ochie”, “Eche”, “Echefu”, or “Etche”, it is referring to one and the same person called “ETCHE”, “ECHEFU”, “ECHIE”, “ECHE”, “OCHIE” who is the forebear or ancestor of all Etche people East, West, North, South and ethnic nationality that is spread across three (3) of Nigeria, viz: Rivers, Abia, and Imo States and possibly Delta and Edo, Onyema (2000). It has four (4) know Local Governments (two in Rivers State and two in Imo State) with a heavy presence in Abia State.



THE IGBO ORIGIN The accounts of the Benin origin are at variance with some other established views on the history of Etche. One of such views is that Afigbo, an internationally acclaimed historian, who traced the history of the Igbo people essentially to two sources. The first account, according to him, claims that the Igbo tribe came from the east.



This claim asserts that: “in the beginning the Igbo were either one of the tribes of Israel or Egypt, that for unspecified reason they left the east, wandered across the Sudan to come and settle where we now find them.” In order to elucidate this claim, Afigbo traced the origin of the Igbo to 3,000 B.C. to 1,300 A.D. as suggested by Talboth, hinging his account on legends, oral traditions and other numerous ethnographic and ecological evidences.




Afigbo posits that “scholars have long come to the conclusion that the Nri-Akwa Orlu axis represents the earlier Igbo settlement” from where they spread to different directions. Among the groups that moved southward, according to him, are “the Uratta, Ikwerre, Etche, Asa and Ndoki Igbo of the present times”. The second account premised on the linguistic origin of the language spoken by the Igbo people which, like the Edo, Yoruba, Odoma, Igala and Akan languages, belongs to the larger family of African languages known as the Niger-Congo stock.





In this regard, linguistic affinity could also be used to determine the origin of a people. This clearly stated by Johnson in Williamson (1987) thus: There is no tracing the connection of ancientations, but by language. Therefore, I am always sorry when any language is lost, because the languages are the pedigree of nations. If you find the same language in distant countries, you may be sure that the inhabitants of each have been the same people. If this submission is anything to go by, we can say without equivocation and contradiction that the linguistic relationship between the Igbo language and that of Etche has been established as corroborative evidence of Afigbo’s historical position.






For example, in an incisive study of the languages spoken in Rivers State, Williamson classified the major languages according to their linguistic relationship. She characterized all languages that have some linguistic affinity with the Igbo language as “Igboid”. She listed the language groups in this category as follows: Ekpeye, Ikwerre, Ogbah, Egbema and Echie. According to Onyema (2000), Etche is part of the Benin in Diaspora of the fourteenth century. He moved along with the Ogbas, Ekpeyes and Ikwerres. They crossed the River Niger from one spot and spread themselves southwesterly and southeasterly from the spot they crossed the River Niger. This myth has some credence. There is similarity of language among the Ogbas, the Ikwerres and the Etches.






There is also similarity of language between the “Etches” and Igbodos” of Delta State. “Igbodo” is a town between Asaba and Agbor in Delta State. There is a town called Obite in Ogba land and Obite town in Etche. Also, an address sent to the Ekpeye people in their annual “OGWU EKPEYE” cultural festival by the Oba of Benin confirmed this aspect of the history. The present Oba of Benin was one time Divisional Officer in the then Ahoada Division, which comprised Etche, Ikwerre, Ekpeye, Ogba and Abua. They were then known as clans.





The other school of thought says “that Etche is part of the Igbo stock. The founding fathers were part of the Igbo that moved southwards, via Owerri and through Ngor, to settle in her present location. Amoury Talbort in his book entitled, The Peoples of Southern Nigeria, gave credence to this School of Thought. This account has some credence. For example, is the name of some towns and villages in Igbo-speaking areas, which are identical or similar with those of Etche. For instance, we have Eberi in Etche and we have Mbieri in Owerri. Also we have Ulakwo in Owerri and Etche. Furthermore, we give identical names with the Igbo, and the Echie dialect is said to be a dialect of Igbo language.







However, these may not be a conclusive proof to the fact that Etche is part of the Igbo stock, as these may be circumstantial due to long association over the years, and the Igbo have the advantage of their population size. If the roots of Etche stems from Benin as the first school of thought suggests, the historical fact of our settlement with the Igbo and very close proximity with them, having interacted with them in commerce, religion, etc. including marriages and interpolation of cultures, may have influenced and changed our culture over the years.







The first known permanent settlement of Etche is Igbodo in present-day Etche Local Government Area in Rivers State. Before Etche came to Igbo where he settled permanently, accounts have it that he rested in some areas before he got to his permanent place of abode. It is believed that he came through Oratta, crossed Ogu-echie River and permanently settled at Igbodo.






It is also believed that Ohaji was part of Etche entourage that detoured at Oratta and flanked southwest and settled immediately after Oratta, bordering Ikwerre and Ogba, while the rest entourage maintained a southeasterly direction until they permanent settled at Igbodo. Igbodo is the undisputed traditional headquarters of Etche people or the place of first permanent settlement of Etche people. When the Igbodo settlement increased and became uncontrollable, people moved in different locations to find new abodes.







The Ngors (which constitute) the present Ngor/Okpala Local Government, Imo State) moved northwards. The Amalas, the Alulus, Elelems, the Ntus, etc. were part of the Etche people that moved northwards from their Igbodo settlement. It is evident to notice identical and similarity of language/ dialect with the Ngors. The names of towns and villages in Ngor are identical with the towns and villages in Etche. Before the creation of Rivers State, Amala was known as part of Igbodo and was addressed as Amala-Igbodo. There is Ntu on Ngor while there is Umuogba in present day Omuma Local Government Area, Rivers State. In Umuogba, there is Umuoyere while in Ngor, there is Umuoyere as well.







in Etche, there is Obibi, while there is also Obibi in Ngor. In Ngor, there is Ulakwo while there is also Ulakwo in Etche. In Etche, there is Afara while in Ngor, there is also Afara. There are so many instances of this nature which cannot be included in this paper because of time factor. Accounts also have it that Igbo was a very big hunter. In his hunting expedition, moved southwards from Igbodo. He crossed the Otamirioche River and settled at the northern part of Otamirioche River, hence Igbo Agwuru Asa as presently constituted occupies both sides of Otamirioche River. The Umuselem people also move southwards from Igbodo, and took southeast and southwest direction from Igbodo settlement.









The present settlement of Okomoko migrated from Okomoko Akpoku to their present abode. Afara, Nihi, Odufor took southwest direction while Odagwa and Akwa took southeast direction. Ulakwo later joined them and settled in-between them, hence we have Ulakwo/Umuselem clan. The Mbas moved southwestwards and occupied their present location. The first group of Mbas who left Igbodo first settled at Mba. They later expanded.









A group left the original Mba settlement and crossed the Ogueche River to settle in the present day Obite, Umuoye and Akpoku. The Ozuzus,or Mba-Asaa people,namely: Ozuzu, Egbu, Ogida, Isu, Ihie, Elele, and Orwu- had connections with Umuneoha and Aro people, hence they established the Amadioha deity, which had influence over the entire length and breadth of Etche, Ikwerre, Ekpeye, Kalabari, Oratta and beyond. The migration of Etche people to the eastern part of Etche (now known as Omuma Local Government Areas) was systematic. They migrated to the eastern part of Etche by crossing the Imo River from different parts, at different times and for different reasons and purposes. The Umuogba/Umuajuloke people migrated from Afara, crossed the Imo River and settled in their present Umuogba/Umuajuloke Clan. Ogba and Ajuloke, who were of the same parents left Afara at the same time. Ajuloke settled at Akwa and Ogba crossed the Imo River and settled in the present Umuogba.









Ajuloke later crossed the Imo River and joined his brother (Ogba) and settled with him, hence we have the Umuogba/Umuajuloke Clan which is the largest single Clan in Omuma Local Government Area and the 5th largest in the whole of Etche. Eberi is said to have migrated from Mbieri in Imo State and settled together with Ulakwo, Obioha and other Etche people at Igbodo area. Eberi and Ulakwo were friends and they moved together from their Igbodo settlement. Eberi moved eastwards, crossed the Imo River and settled in the present location, which hosts the headquarters of Omuma Local Government Area. Ulakwo moved southwards and settled in the present Ulakwo.








When Ebari crossed the Imo River, Obioha decided to follow suit. Obioha was on a hunting expedition and in his desire to meet Eberi crossed the Imo River. When he got to Eberi’s settlement, Eberi asked him to go further eastwards, hence Obioha occupied the border with Asa people in present day Abia State. Eberi further expanded and occupied up to the boundary with Asa people, hence in Etche we have Eberi/Obioha Clan. Oyoro or Kwuu migrated from Umuoye in Mba Clan of present day Etche Local Government Area. By the time Oyoro crossed the Imo River to settle in its present location, Onyia had crossed the Imo River and settled. Oyoro joined him, and both of them constitute the present Umuoyoro in Omuma Local Government Area. Ohiomogho emigrated from Igbodo/Akwu/Obuo area in Okehi Clan, crossed the Imo River and settle in the present day Ohiomogho in Omuma Local Government Area. Chiomuo (Ofeh) left Igbodo settlement and temporarily settled at Odagwa. Later, he crossed the Imo River and settled at her present location in Omuma Local Government Area. Umuchere crossed from Aluu while Umumba and Umuru, Amauzu later joined Umuchomuo people to constitute Ofeh in the present day Omuma Local Government Area. These three Etche entities constitute the present Ofeh/Ohim/ Oyoro Clan.











So, the people who constitute the present Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State are Etche people who crossed the Imo River at different times, from different areas of Etche, and settled in the eastern part of Etche. Before the Nigerian civil war, they were referred to as Etche people of Eastern Imo while the rest Etche were known as Western Imo. There is no ancestor in Etche history (man or woman) known as Omuma. Even the Etche people of Omuma Local Government Area refer Etche west of Imo River (i.e. the present Etche Local Government Area) as Omuma people, since they also live on the other side of the Imo River. Generally, in Etche parlance, any Etche man who crossed the river to settle is referred to as Omuma man, i.e. somebody who crossed the water. The Owazzas of Abia State are said to be Etche people. However they migrated from Igwuruta (between Igwuruta-ali and Omunwei) having land bordering Umuechem and the Port Harcourt International Airport, settled at Odagwa and later crossed the Imo River and Aza stream to settle in their present location, hence they are called Owazza (i.e. those who crossed the Aza stream). The Omuma-Uzor people of Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State, migrated from Obibi (Umuola) and settled in their present Omuma-Uzor (i.e. Etche people who crossed water and settled on the road, since they do not have any contiguity with any Etche village and her neighbours being As people).









Omuma in Ogwuruta migrated from Akpoku Etche and settled in the present Omuma-Igwuruta. They are called Omuma-Igwuruta because they are Etche people that crossed the Otamirioche River and settle on other side of the River after Igbo. ORAL TRADITIONS Oral evidence of the Etche people strongly indicates the Igbo origin of the Etche. There is no controversy over the first settlement in Etche land being Igbodo, the next is Igboanwhirinwu, according to oral sources. A school of thought suggests that the bone of contention does not lie in the first settled, rather the elders of the two, Igbodo and Igboanwhurinwhu. This school, further, claims that the name “Igbodo” simple is a corruption of the original name of one of the sons of Echie. The actual name, they said, is “Mgbeudo” – a time of peace. For “Igbo-Anwhurinwhu”, they maintained that the real name was “Mgbe- Anwhurinwhu” meaning “a time of restlessness”. They argue that one cannot talk of peace if one had not experienced some form of discomfort, restiveness or crisis. COLONIZATION OF ETCHE Etche ethnic nationality with numerous towns and villages spread over three States – Rivers, Abia and Imo. It has a vast land mass and naturally subdivided by Imo, Otamirioche and Ogueche Rivers.








The people have had their own system of government before the advent of colonialism in Nigeria. Though, the subdivision by the three rivers made communication difficult, Etche people had their own system of government, Nwafor (2000). At the advent of colonialism in Nigeria, Etche found herself colonized by the British authorities. The British balkanized Etche politically and administered it from three axis, Aba, Oweeri and Degeme/Ahoada. Omuma from Aba Division while the rest of Etche, i.e. Etche West from Degeme Division. The balkanization of Etche was substantially redressed between 1951 and 1954, when the Etche Rural District Council with headquarters at Eberi was created. Under the leadership of Chief (the Hon) J.H.E Nwuke, Ogbuzuo II, the founding and first Secretary-General of Ogbako Etche, who was assisted by Chief S.O Achonwa and others, Etche people from Ozuzu, Mba-Asaa and eastern Etche people (present Omuma) were merged with Etche West to form Etche Rural District Council under Ahoada Division. Chief (the Hon) J.H.E Nwuke was inaugurated in 1958 as Onye-isi-Etche. Etche people from Ngor and Etche people from Ohaji were cut out of the merger by their selfish chiefs and leaders at that time. But Etche people are distinct wherever they may be. Be they Etche Ohajis, Etche Ngors, Etche Umumbas, Etche Owazzas, Etche Omuma-Uzors, Etche Igwurutas, etc. the headquarters of Etche Rural District Council, which became known as ETCHE COUNTY COUNCIL, was transferred from Eberi to Umuola and from Umuola to Okehi. So, the political headquarters of Etche people is Okehi, while the traditional headquarters of Etche people is Igbodo. The balkanization of Etche people by the colonial masters badly affected the political and cultural solidarity of Etche people. It also affected the cultural identity of Etche people, including Etche language.







The Etches in Imo State speak more of Owerri than the original Echie and the Etche culture and personality in them have been eroded. The same applies to Etche people in Abia State. They now speak more of Ngwa and Asa dialects than Echie. If Etches in Imo and Abia States could be retrieved, Etche could have been hosting four (4) local governments now since there are presently two (2) local governments in Imo (Ngor and Ohaji) while the remnant of Etche in Abia State may constitute a local government, if properly organized. The present Etche in Rivers State was in Ahoada Division at Independence in 1960. It was possible to achieve this during the struggle for the creation of Rivers State.






This paper suggests and recommends that the Federal Government should readjust State boundaries in order to ensure that Etche people in other States are brought back to their kith and kin in Rivers State where they rightly belong. Economy In 1999 there were about 600,000 Etche people, forming the fourth largest ethnic group in Rivers State, mostly engaged in agriculture. [1] Cassava and yam are important crops. The use of tractors for farming these crops has dropped slightly in the 1986–2004 period. [2] The Shell Petroleum Development Company has funded a cassava processing mill at Umuebulu, and in 2000 provided training to local women in operation and management of the mill. [3] Palm oil production by smallholders is a significant part of the economy.[4] Political unrest In October 1990, a demonstration was held in Umuechem, Etche to demand social amenities and compensation for oil pollution. State security agents reacted with teargas and gunfire. 50 people died and about 550 houses were destroyed.[5] The April 2003 national elections were marked by serious violence and intimidation in the Etche LGA, seriously compromising the free voters process.[6] In a 2007 report, Human Rights Watch said that "in recent years Etche has earned a degree of unwelcome notoriety due to allegations of corruption, thuggery and murder leveled against its current chairman." The report stated that health and education facilities were in an advanced state of physical decay, with funds allocated for staffing and renovation being diverted for other purposes. [7] In January 2009 the Etche legislative council impeached three of their members for "irrational and unconscionable behaviour, gross misconduct, misappropriation of legislative fund and abuse of office." [8] A training camp for ex-militants was established in Okehi in Etche LGA, teaching skills such as welding and fabrication, fitting, seafaring/marine, business and commerce and so on. In October 2009, 200 of the students demanded their allowances, threatening to return to the creeks to cause havoc if unpaid. [9] Recent developments In August 2009, a Marriage Registration Centre was opened in the LGA.[10] In September 2009 the Niger Delta Development Commission opened a free medical mission in Omuma Local Government Council. [11]

Another tribal threads arrives.

No Paragraphs.

Lol... Dz long epistle jus bcoz say bayelsa people flog u and d afonjas jus abuse u small na en make u cry enta library go find fake history book. Wetin consign me sef, if u like talk say d whole Niger delta na ibo. Na ur palava b dat..


But afonja wicked oo, see as u take finish dem for dat thread



If u no like my comment, I go soon reach house now make u come beat me

This is not a tribal thread its to educate people..

Thespacepilot:
This is not a tribal thread its to educate people..

Do they identify as Igbo?

Jetleeee:


Do they identify as Igbo?

yes jetleee they Are not the other people and have never denied there heritage..please you can read and get some knowledge..I don't want your development company you hear..

Jetleeee:


Do they identify as Igbo?

They have never denied been Igbo's...please jetlee tell your friends not to derail or interfere in me thread I beg you... I don't want tribal warfare here please

Jetleeee:


Do they identify as Igbo?

please no tribe comment...Let's debate only...For mature minds..please your tribal friends in crime to not derail my thread..

Thespacepilot:

yes jetleee they Are not ikwerres and have never denied there heritage..

I tchee..Thanks for the history class

folarinmiles:
1mth ban.

I should have ignored you...

Thespacepilot:

yes jetleee they Are not the other people and have never denied there heritage..please you can read and get some knowledge..I don't want your development company you hear..

LOL..I know when to go tribal and when not to. No fear, nothing do your thread. That's a guarantee from my end

Can't speak for the other guys tho

Thespacepilot space your post to make it legible

Thespacepilot:


I should have ignored you...

15. Don't attempt to post censored words by misspelling them.


Don't mind him, he's a trouble maker

folarinmiles:
15. Don't attempt to post censored words by misspelling them.

Don't mind him, he's a trouble maker

ignored and goodnight

Thespacepilot:


ignored and goodnight

Yes let's ignore him.
Goodnight my friend

Nobody who knows 'Etche' and igbo land that will entertain anyone on the argument if Etche is Igbo. Only stagnant people and those who don't travel that will always do. Etche is 100percent igbo as every igbo. Attempt on separation is like trying to separate two twins for being of different fathers.

folarinmiles:
Lol... Dz long epistle jus bcoz say bayelsa people flog u and d afonjas jus abuse u small na en make u cry enta library go find fake history book. Wetin consign me sef, if u like talk say d whole Niger delta na ibo. Na ur palava b dat..


But afonja wicked oo, see as u take finish dem for dat thread



If u no like my comment, I go soon reach house now make u come beat me

Where is the pictorial or video evidence of the clash between Igbos and Ijaws.


How can you believe a story that has no evidence

I have never met a tall Etche person anyways Op good post just took sometime to read and digest.

Another Ibo man from the east posting a thread of something he knows nothing about.
You are not from Etche, but your busy body no go allow you rest.
Allow the people from Etche to tell their history not you from the east forcing your belief on them thereby spreading info doctored to suit your belief.


Una no dey tire?
Allow the Etches, the Omumas to tell their history.

A few days ago, I commented in the crime section on a thread about a man that was assasinated in Etche, Rivers state.

I just said that violence was becoming too much in Igbo land and some ignorant people, most of which I can bet have never been to Rivers state, started asking me if 'Rivers state is Igbo land?'

Most of these people dont even know who the Etches are but are asking if Igbos are Rivers state.

Rivers state is just the creation of past military leaders, what matters are those that are indigenous to the area.

There is no difference between me from Anambra and an Etche man. We both speak Igbo as our ancestral language and have Igbo surnames. The only difference is that Gowon created Rivers state and put the Etche man in there.

Etches are 100% Igbos and Rivers state is partly Igbo land!

kingzizzy:
A few days ago, I commented in the crime section on a thread about a man that was assasinated in Etche, Rivers state.

I just said that violence was becoming too much in Igbo land and some ignorant people, most of which I can bet have never been to Rivers state, started asking me if 'Rivers state is Igbo land?'

Most of these people dont even know who the Etches are but are asking if Igbos are Rivers state.

Rivers state is just the creation of past military leaders, what matters are those that are indigenous to the area.

There is no difference between me from Anambra and an Etche man. We both speak Igbo as our ancestral language and have Igbo surnames. The only difference is that Gowon created Rivers state and put the Etche man in there.

Etches are 100% Igbos and Rivers state is partly Igbo land!

No part of Rivers is igbo land.

nengibo:

No part of Rivers is igbo land.

No part of Lagos and Ilorin is Yoruba land

kingzizzy:
A few days ago, I commented in the crime section on a thread about a man that was assasinated in Etche, Rivers state.

I just said that violence was becoming too much in Igbo land and some ignorant people, most of which I can bet have never been to Rivers state, started asking me if 'Rivers state is Igbo land?'

Most of these people dont even know who the Etches are but are asking if Igbos are Rivers state.

Rivers state is just the creation of past military leaders, what matters are those that are indigenous to the area.

There is no difference between me from Anambra and an Etche man. We both speak Igbo as our ancestral language and have Igbo surnames. The only difference is that Gowon created Rivers state and put the Etche man in there.

Etches are 100% Igbos and Rivers state is partly Igbo land!

It is you people who caused the diabolical yorubas to be mastubating on issue like this, those of us have been to those etched, obigbo, ukwu east and west, even ikwerre and have friends there too, knows that everybody is Igbo... Nobody there sees himself or herself as different... You people should stop bring up silly issue...I can still remember meeting a girl in my uni days who is from Benue state, she told me she is Igbo, but they don't speak exactly Igbo...

Ekinematics:
Another Ibo man from the east posting a thread of something he knows nothing about.
You are not from Etche, but your busy body no go allow you rest.
Allow the people from Etche to tell their history not you from the east forcing your belief on them thereby spreading info doctored to suit your belief.


Una no dey tire?
Allow the Etches, the Omumas to tell their history.

you could have your issue with the poster. But the fact is that Etches know their history and their root. No likeness,no love, fondness or demarcation can change the history. Etches are igbos and etcheland is Igboland. I am an Etche from Okehi 1

Ekinematics:
Another Ibo man from the east posting a thread of something he knows nothing about.
You are not from Etche, but your busy body no go allow you rest.
Allow the people from Etche to tell their history not you from the east forcing your belief on them thereby spreading info doctored to suit your belief.


Una no dey tire?
Allow the Etches, the Omumas to tell their history.

Do your best to stay off Igbo thread, if you don't have anything meaningful to contribute. Stick your ass on Ijaw thread, and possibly see how you can help your people. The unity of indi'Igbo, whether in your S'S or S'E is inevitable. And let me make it clear to you, it will be in the best interest of Ijaws, for a united Igbo. #Advice.

Etche1:
you could have your issue with the poster. But the fact is that Etches know their history and their root. No likeness,no love, fondness or demarcation can change the history. Etches are igbos and etcheland is Igboland. I am an Etche from Okehi 1

I think its high time Ohaneze Indi'gbo start giving Indi' Etche proper recognition and leadership position in the group. You guys have done well to maintain your stand irrespective of the power of oil politics, in creating identity crisis, among Igbo groups in the S'S. Kudos to you guys.

nengibo:

No part of Rivers is igbo land.

You have been to all the local govts, all the communities and all the hundreds of villages in Rivers state to confirm this?

Thespacepilot:
This is not a tribal thread its to educate people..

Fable.

ariesbull:


No part of Lagos and Ilorin is Yoruba land

Yes I agree, its Bini and Fulani land