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| By Nwosu Ozioma |
Ihiagwa is one of the communities in what is traditionally known as Oratta clan. Which now encompasses the Owerri West, Owerri North and the Owerri municipal Local Government Areas of Imo State. It is located after Nekede community, in the South West of the Owerri capital city , it is bounded on the East by Obibiezena community, on the West by Avu community, on the North by Nekede community and on the South by Eziobodo and Okolochi communities.
The community is made up of eight kindreds which are Iriamogu or Ibuzo, Nkaramochie, Aku or Umuokwo, Umuezeeawula, and Mboke collectively known as the Dindi kindreds. Umuelem, Umuelekwerem which is now assimilated in Umuelem and the last Umuchima, collectively known as the Chimelem kindreds. The uniqueness of Ihiagwa community stems from its divine mythological origin . while most communities in Oretta and Igbo land trace there origin from other communities . Ihiagwa traditional mythology indicates that Ihaggwa people originally came down with Chukwu (GOD) from heaven and settle in the present site of Ihiagwa . There is a common believe that Ihiagwa people were the favoured childrenof Chukwu (GOD) the creator who came down and lived with them in Ihiagwa. It was noted that Chukwu (GOD) resides in a forest groove between Iriamogu and Ibuzo village before he departed Ihiagwa. Its called the Okpu sacred spot. Its was reported that Chukwu departed Ihiagwa due to some petty mundane issues for Arochukwu. The loving Chukwu could not stay long from his beloved people of Ihiagwa , so he returned in the guise of Otamiri. This mythological relationship between the people of Ihiagwa indigenes and Arochukwu indigenes resulted in there inability to intermarry. An Arochukwu can not make a permanent home in Ihiagwa. This Otamiri settled in the deep forest between Ihiagwa and Nekede , close to the present site of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede. The Otemiri has priest and dieties which are called the OHA priests, Nwanyie (otamiri queen whose shrine is at nkuokwu market center), Oparaogu, ALA Kiri Agwushi. The Ihiagwa people has a well organised theocrates system . There is no hereditary ruler or head of the system . In this leadership are based on individual achievements, influence in the the kindred or the communal level. In 1977, the emergence of the Nnaochie throne which is regarded as the seat and title for the leader of Ihiagwa and it is being used and acknowledged till date.
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