Umuokpara

Umuopara are a clan of the Igbo people of Umuahia Nigeria. The Umuopara reside in seven villages known as umunne asaa namely: Ezeleke, Ogbodiukwu, Ekenobizi, Ehume, Ogbodinibe, Umuihi and Umunwawa.

Culture

Umuopara is generally regarded as the cradle of Umuahia civilization. In the past it was known for the Egwu festival which was celebrated at Omaegwu. Umuopara is presently known for the Ekpe festival which is also celebrated by other clans in Umuahia, notably Ibeku and Ohuhu. The first ever Ekpe festival took place in Ogbodiukwu Umuopara. The new Yam festival is also celebrated in Umuopara. The supreme deity in Umuopara during pre-colonial times was the Ojam. Most of the people in modern-day Umuopara are Christians with Methodist and Anglican as the dominant denominations.

Some notable members of Umuopara include the Late Honorable Apugo Onyekwere, first University graduate in Umuopara, Late Dr. Chief Chikezie Sylvester Ugorji who spearheaded the project that brought water and electricity to Ehume Village, Late Chief B.O.N Eluwa, Chief Steve Ihedigbo, Chief G.N.A Atulomah, Chief Levi Nwokeafor, Pharm U.N.O uwaga, Late S.B.A Atulomah, Akpunku Iheuwa, Chuks Nwononiwu, Chief Anab Atulomah,Chief Chibiko Ukanwoke, C.S.L Nwosu, Chief Odigbo, His Hon. Ephraim Atulomah, Chikeziri Onyekwere, Chief Ineama, Okey Ezeala, Late Eze J.N Amaechi, Hon Acho Obioma,Engr Onu Eluwa,Okechukwu Olekibe, Chima Onyekwere,AIG Uzor Amakaulo Rtd, S.I (Acho) Onukaogu,Late Prof Paul Ogbuehi,Enyinnaya Odigbo,Hon Ndukwe Adindu,Rear Admiral Aham Eluwa,Chidozie John Ezeoma and many others.

Origin

There are several beliefs regarding the origin of Umuopara people.[1] One view is that the Umuopara people did not migrate from anywhere. While this view sounds plausible, some villages in Umuopara today can convincingly trace their old settlement to places outside Umuopara.

It has been suggested that at least sections of the people of Umuopara came from obowu and mbaise areas.

According to oral traditions Eku was the ancestor of the people of Umuopara. Eku had two sons namely Opara who became the founder of Umuopara and Ibe who founded Ibeku. Omaegwu in Umuopara was his first point of settlement. Opara being the first son remained while Ibe moved east to present day Ibeku land. Nkwoegwu in present-day Ohuhu clan was a meeting point for the two brothers during the annual egwu festival. This was before the later migrations from Obowu area by the Ohuhu people. Some sons of Ibe later moved further east to establish Abam, Ohafia and Edda.

References
  1. January 17, Lorana; 2018 (2018-01-17). "The festivals of Nigeria". GoUNESCO - Make Heritage Fun!. Retrieved 2020-04-15.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)


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