Ukwuani people


The Ukwuani is one of the three sub groups that make up the Igbo west of the River Niger; the others are Enuani and Ika. These three sub groups are now collectively regarded as Anioma (Good Land), geo-politically located in Nigeria’s Delta State. Within the Western Igbo area, the Ukwuani inhabit the low-lying and swampy area within latitude North 5’ 50 – 70 and Longitude East 6’ – 6’- 50. The Ukwuani people are regarded as Southern Ika Igbo, comprising fifteen clans, namely Abbi, Akoku, Amai, Ebedei, Emu, Eziokpor, Ezionum, Obiaruku, Ogume, OnichaUkwuani, Umuebu, Umukwuata, Umutu, Utagba-Ogbe and Utagba-Uno.

The name Ukwuani is a topographical construct deriving from their environment. It means low-land dwellers which conform to the Igbo way of naming their settlement according to the geographical features.

Origin

Their origin is debated, with the dominant narrative being that they are from Benin. This has been challenged by Paul O. Opone, a lecturer at Delta State University, Abraka who argues that the evidence shows that they are of Igbo origin.[1]

Ndokwa people

References
  1. Opone, Paul (2017). "Are the Ukwuanis Benin or Igbo? a study of origin and migration". UJAH: Unizik Journal of Arts and Humanities. 18.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.