True Covenant of Yahweh

Tent of Moshe
"This says YHWH, Stand in the derech, and see, and a

V)

Blog

The Brief Historical Origin Of Umueri

Posted by Moshe Ben YAH on October 2, 2012 at 3:10 PM

*

*

Umueri also known as Umuleri is part of ancient Umueri Clan which traced its origin to a warrior named Eri. The Oral tradition of the people traced the origin to waves of Migration led by Eri. Although there were no written records existing, its indeed obviously facts that the history and Origin of Umueri dates back to time immemorial and early part of human existence in this part of the world following emerging facts from ever constant oral tradition and recent archeological discoveries that tends to portray the Umueri enclave as the first area of human Existence in Southern Nigeria.

*

*

According to the works of Dr Elizabeth Isichei While quoting L Froberius The Voice of Africa 1913 as quoted MDW Jefferies, the Divine Umunri King of Igboland PHD Thesis ( London ) 1934 wrote “The First cradle of human habitation in Igbo area were probably the Cross River and Anambra River Escarpment. In each of these areas, latter Stone Age sites have been excavated. For instance an ancient storage Relic was excavated in Umunagu Umueri in 1975 by Mr. Emmanuel Ozoemena. This ancient relic was said to have been used during Stone Age era probably 980 AD. Elizabeth Isichei went further to state, “This picture of an early nucleus of settlement in Northern Igbo land is confirmed by Igbo traditions.

 

 

*

 

*

 

The Tradition of Umueri Clan which hitherto includes that of NRI states that both them and Igala emanated or descended from more ancient community in Anambra Valley . ''We are all descended from Eri but Igala went one way, Agukwu another, Amanuke another, Nteje and Igboariam and Others”. It was possible that the Igala and the Others were either wives, children or even descendants of concubines of the Great Eri.

 

 

*

 

*

 

Historians have not agreed on exact place that Eri and his company came from. But it was quite clear that he comes from the east and moved further down and settled temporarily with his followers (among them Ogiso, progenitor of Bini, Aro' progenitor of the Aro people in Igboland and many others), to an area near the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers (present day Igala land). From there, Eri moved to the Anambra Valley and finally settled near the coast of Omabala river (corruptly called Anambra by the White men) at Okpotevi (In Ugume Umueri) near Obuaga, which is presently located in Aguleri. Some other accounts hold that Eri was specifically the direct descendants of Gad who is the 10th son of Jacob ( Israel ). (Ref. Gen: 46:16; Numbers 26:16). What is however certain is that Eri was the father and progenitor of Umueri and other Umueri clans and that his residence in Umueri remains the ancestral homes of the Igbo nation.

 

 

*

 

*

 

According to tradition, Eri was a Great Warrior, hunter and Polygamist. He has a lot of children and wives (Not limiting to two as written by many writers). The Most famous of the wives was Iguedo from presumably the lineage of Edo (Bini) who was amongst the crowd of migrants at that time. She was also Mother to the founders of Ogbunike, Awkuzu, Umueri and Nando and a Daughter who was amongst the founders of Oboli Quaters of Onitsha( This explain the relationship between Umueri and Onitsha and other Iguedo clans). Eri due to his influence was said to have snatched (re-marry) Iguedo from Nnamenyi, another of the Migrants and she bore to him (Eri), Dabawor who founded Modern Umueri clan. At the Demise of Eri She re married again to Iru,a Hunter and Herbalist who was said to be part of Eri Company. It was here (in this relationship) that She begat Ndo who was the founder of Nando.

 

 

*

 

*

 

Archeological Surveys reveals that before ancient war and growth in population scattered ancient Umueri clans into the forest of Igbo land, they were all living in Dabawor/Obuga area. Hence today, traces of their habitats are still visible in this area. For Instance, "Aguu Nri" and "Okpotoevi" are still at Ugume Umueri. Aguu Nri is an antiquity of Great Importance. It’s about half a thousand Year Old tree which is at Ama Iruakpu-Ugume, Umueri up till this day. It was said to be founded by Nri Ifikuanim who was the founder of Nri Kingdom . The Surviving Generation of Elders confirmed it as antiquity of Great Historical Importance. One Problem that had affected the fact of Aguu-Nri is contradiction emanating from the Nri,Aguleri and Other Communities claiming head to the origin of Eri. In this bid, a lot of distortions came up either by design or Ignorance of true Position.

 

 

*

 

*

 

But In spite of these distortions, the name Umueri which literally means "Children of Eri" is a natural and unbiased nomenclature indicating Umueri relationship with Eri. Whatever historical view may be, One point remain untainted- that all the Children or Descendant of Eri once had their ancestral home in Umueri, as borne out by archeological, oral and anthropological records. Perhaps one pointer to these assertions is the existence of several trace of Umueri lineage in Some Northern Igbo towns and even western igbo areas. For instance, Umueri Ogbunike, Umueri Nteje, Umueri Okija, Ugume in Kwale area,Umuriam Nawfia( emanates from Umuriam Umueri) and a lot of other traces. It’s indeed worth to note that with exception of Umueri, there are no other towns that have such proof elsewhere.

*

*

*

Culled from: www.umueriland.com/

Categories: None

Post a Comment

Oops!

Oops, you forgot something.

Oops!

The words you entered did not match the given text. Please try again.

Already a member? Sign In

0 Comments