Referred to as Western Igbo or Igbo West of the Niger because of the separation by the River Niger from the Igbo in the east, the Anioma people are Igbo people located primarily in Delta State, Nigeria. They make up about one-third of Delta State and, for administrative purposes, are referred to as “Delta North,” thus contrasting Delta Central and Delta South, areas densely inhabited by the Urhobo, Isoko, Ijaw, and Itsekiri, the other ethnic groups inhabiting Delta State.
Anioma is located in the areas of the West Basin of River Niger, south-south within the present Delta state of Nigeria, it encompasses a land mass of about 6,300 km. In the political matters of the state, Anioma is often referred to as Delta North as against the other peoples known as the Delta South and Delta Central in the same state. Anioma is bounded on the East by Anambra State, south-east by Imo and Rivers States, south Bayelsa State, south-west by Isoko, west by Urhobo people, north-west by Edo State and north by Kogi State. Anioma may therefore be regarded as highly contiguous to very many neighbours ethnic groups. The people have drawn experiences as a result of lying contiguous to numerous other towns, communities and states which characterizes Anioma as one of the most peaceful regions in the country.
There are also Anioma communities in parts of certain towns in Anambra State, namely Onitsha, Ogbaru, Akwukwu Obosi, Ozobulu and Ogidi. They can also be found in the Oguta and Ndoni areas of Imo and Rivers States, respectively.
Linguistic Classification
The Federal Government of Nigeria makes a distinction between Igbo, Ukwuani and Ika on cultural grounds and delineates them the status of distinct ethnic groups, yet the respective languages form part of what is known as the Igbo language cluster. Nigerians can always refer to the constitution should the need arise. A pure dialect of the Igbo language, Enuani, and two Igboid languages, Ukwuani and Ika, are the primary indigenous languages. There are also small numbers of Olukumi, Ozzara and Igala-speaking communities.
Traditional life and culture
Anioma social structure is dominated by the use of lineages which are based loosely on the concept of Uno, Eboh’, and iIdumu, which are major blood lineages; while Ogbe and Obodo are open and much more political. Uno is a small family unit comprising husband, wife, and children. The next lineage was Eboh, which includes the primary or nuclear family, the daughter or son in law, and the grandparents and the grandchildren. The Ogbe is a large structure which allowed non-blood relatives; it comprises the Idumu and some outsiders and it is best classified as a quarter in terms of demographics. The maximal concept is one that looks like a small town; this is the Obodo.
Other interesting facts about the Anioma People
- The Anioma populace make up small numbers in neighbouring Edo State, specifically in Igbanke,Ute-Oheze, Iru, Obagie N’Oheze, Ozo and Ekpon.
- The term “Anioma” means “good land” in Igbo language and coincidentally, it is an acronym derived from the four original local government areas that make up Anioma, i.e., (A) for Aniocha, (N) for Ndokwa, (I) for Ika and (O) for Oshimili, M and A being common denominators found in the original four local government areas.
- The coinage was made by the founding father, Chief Dennis Osadebay, in 1951 and has remained the preferred indigenous name by which the people collectively refer to themselves.
- Anioma people, who had one identity prior to the coming of the Europeans, were divided after they lost the Ekumeku War against the British imperialism, in 1914, after 31 years of fighting.
- The Ekemeku War was the longest resistance against British imperialism in Nigeria.
- Anioma region is also rich in other mineral resources such as rubber.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Featured Image Source: Arise Africa