Anam, Nigeria

Anam Community is a mega community of eight villages strategically located in Anambra West Local Government Area, Anambra State, bounded by three Historic Rivers-River Anambra (Ọnwụbala), River Niger and River Ezichi. The famous Anambra River has its root from Ojor in Uzouwani Local Gov. of Enugu state. Umuoba Anam is the only village in Anam located in Anambra East Local Government Area.

The people of Anam are known for their hospitality, honesty, resilience, and hard work.

Origin of Anam

It is well established that Anam migrated from Igala, particularly Idah. This is supported by the pertinent Anam expression that "Mmanwụ anavago Idah", an indication that a masquerade which has ceased to perform publicly has gone back to Idah, the land of their ancestors.

History has it that Ajida the Great Warrior from Idah begot Ogbe, Ogbe begot Anam, Anaku, Olosi, Odiala, Okpanam, Nzam, and Umunankwo. Even though Anam descended from Idah, some parts of Anam migrated from other places as follows:

  • Umuikwu Anam came from Nsugbe.
  • Umuem Anam came from Umuatulu Village, Umuleri.
  • Umudeze of Mmiata Anam came from Eziagulu, Aguleri.
  • Umuoke Quarter of Umuoba Anam: from Umudiani, Umuleri.
  • Umueze Anam from Umuazu Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area.
  • Umualor Quarter of Umudora Anam came from Onitsha.

Anam as the Origin of Anambra State

It is widely accepted that the name of Anambra State was derived from the Anambra River. The etymology of the name Anambra came from a combination word Anam Branch(Omanbala) of the River Niger so named by the early white men when they came up the River Niger and "discovered" that the people they met along the course of the river were Anam.

The Anambra River since then became a reference point both for the whites and Anam people to the effect that when asked where they were from, they would say that they were from the Anam Branch Area. With time, the areas delineated by the river came to be known as Anam branch, later shortened to Anambra for ease of pronunciation. Thus, Anambra State was created from Anambra River (the natural landmark used in state creation), which has its derivation from the noble town of Anam.

People of Anambra proudly identify themselves as Anambrarians (people of Anambra area).

Villages

Anam has eight villages (formerly seven villages collectively known as Anam ukpo Isaa). They are as follows: Umueze, Umuoba, Mmiata, Iyiora, Umuikwu, Umudora, Oroma-Etiti, and Umuewelum.

Subdivisions

Broadly Anam town is subdivided into two parts each made up of four villages. The subdivisions are Ivite Anam and Ezi Anam

  • Ivite Anam comprises the following villages: Umueze, Umuoba, Mmiata, and Iyiora.
  • Ezi Anam consists of Umuikwu, Umudora, Oroma-Etiti, and Umuem.

Agricultural prowess

Anam is well known for farming and fishing. Anam Land is fertile, its waters and rivers are replete with a teeming number of a great variety of fishes. The people are predominantly arable farmers who farm round the season producing up to 70% of the whole food stuff in Anambra State. Major crops produced in Anam in large quantities include yam, cassava, rice, corn, groundnut and potatoes. Anam Rice is well sought after as it contains little or no gravel. The cornucopia of yearly farm harvest of the Anam people is directly linked to the abundance mentality of the people that no matter what, food will always be available. This may also explain their being generous to a fault when showing hospitality to neighbours and strangers.


One factor that militates against sustainable production of food and its distribution to other parts of Anambra State and even beyond is the deplorable state of some roads in Anam and lack of link roads to the areas of farm produce. This was worse off when there was no bridge linking Anam to neighbouring towns, but thanks to the completion and commissioning of Anambra Bridge across the Anambra River, Anam is no longer cut off as it were and people from far and near can now to a great extent have access to the abundance of agricultural produce from the interior parts of Anam. More good road networks and means of encouraging these farmers would surely translate to a sustainable production, distribution and provision of food on the table of more people and help fight hunger in Anambra state and beyond.

Apart from being a fertile land for agricultural purposes, Anam soil is rich in mineral and other natural resources, including crude oil. Anam people are really blessed and well endowed.

Culture, tradition and language

Anam has a rich culture and tradition. The people celebrate life, have respect for elders, and have a high regard for religion and tradition. The occasions that call for celebration in Anam include the Birth of a Child, Marriage, specific Anam festivals which includes @otito Anam (New yam festival), @Nzure Ani (bringing down of Ani-Anam deity) and title taking, to mention but a few.

The rich culture of Anam is well expressed by Anam language, a unique language that easily identifies them as coming from Anambra (Ndị Anambra). Some of the special characteristics of Anam language worthy of note:

  • Pronunciation preferences such as using "r" sound (thrilled like the Italians) where others may prefer "d." Thus, Anam people would call a human being "mmarụ", and not "mmadụ." Conversely Anam would use "l" sound instead of "r" in some other cases. For instance, "O nweli" instead of "O nwere", meaning "There is." Again, Anam people prefer "v" sound to "h" or "f", so soup in Anam is "ove" and not "ofe", etc.
  • Special idiomatic expression peculiar to Anam parlance can be found in situations where the meaning may not be easily guessed by a non-native, or may be totally understood the other way round in other Igbo languages. An example that readily comes to mind is: Ipụtago ụla: (literally meaning - "Have you woken from sleep", to mean Good morning, Good afternoon or Good evening, especially when qualified with the time of the day, i.e. Ipụtago ụla ụtụ for Good morning, etc.
  • Predilection for shortening of words and expressions. Words are swallowed, especially vowels, and merged with the others in a very fast breath! Funny, but that is how Anamites love expressing themselves.

Delicacies

During festivals Anam people take their time to prepare special soup, especially "ove isala" (ove nsala), a soup prepared with fresh catfish (ikele/aala) and gulped down with fresh pounded yam. Friends of Anam people never want to miss this delicious meal, particularly when they are invited to Otite Anam (Anam New Yam Festival), Nzurani and other festivities.

Tourism potential

Anam has many historic scenery. Anam now serves as the potential shortest link between Anambra and Kogi States through the Anambra Bridge. Developing this route will make the journey to and from Abuja the Federal Capital Territory a short smooth trip. A speedboat expedition along the Anambra River is a worthwhile venture for those who love the calming waves of the sea breeze.

A visit to Anam will surely afford one an opportunity to meet this unique people whose name has been indelibly imprinted on the sands of history on account of their peculiar geography and culture, and their contribution to a State they cherish proudly as their own, Anambra State.

References

  • Anam The Genesis of Anambra by Bishop Paul Ekweoba (2009)
  • The Anam Clan By Hon. Emmanuel Nnachor (2006)

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