Amiri-Town

Amiri


Unlike Awo-omamma, there exists only one tradition- Isu-egbulem tradition accounting for the origin or genealogy of Amiri town. This tradition agreed that the people of Amiri possess a common parental descent with the people of Awo mamma, as postulated by the Oma tradition- one of the traditions accounting for the origin of Awo-omamma. Where there exists a difference between the two postulating traditions was on the parental nomenclature of both towns as well as their sibblings. According to Isu-egbulem tradition, the origin of Amiri town is traceable to a man called Isu-egbulem who got married to two wives- Asiabaka (the first 40 wife), and Mbubuka (the second wife).


Mbubuka was married after the demise of Asiabaka who begot only one son known as Oru for Isu-egbulem. She (Mbubuka) begot five sons- Amucha (the first son), Nkume (the second son), Atta (the third son), Amiri (the fourth son), and Awo-omamma (the fifth and the last son)- also for Isu-egbulem. Thus, this tradition established the fact that Isuegbulem, and Mbubuka (instead of Oma, and Mma) were the ancestral parents of the people of Amiri and Awo-omamma. Similar to Amiri and Awo-omamma, the other three children of Mbubuka in search of settlement emigrated and established towns after their names in the old oru division- Amucha in Nwangele Local Government Area, Nkume in Njaba Local Government Area, and Atta also in Njaba Local Government Area. These names reflect the origin of the people of these towns 21.


Subsequently, Amiri got married. He maintained a polygamous family by marrying two wives (whose names were not mentioned). The first wife who hailed from Isu begot four sons namely Umuecheta, Amuka, Isiorie, and Umudioka, while the second wife who hailed from Oru begot five sons to include Umuduru, Mbubu, Amaokpara, Ubahazu, and Ugbeke. The names of these children of Amiri are presently borne by the nine (out of ten) villages in the town to reflect their lineages. With time, Amiri begot twenty-eight grand children from his nine sons whose names are borne by the kindred in this town.

More so, the names- Isu, and Oru are equally borne by the two (out of the three) autonomous communities of the town as suffixes in their existing names- Amiri Isu, and Amiri Oru- to refletct the origin of the villages in these autonomous communities. Umuduru, which was a village in Amiri Oru became an autonomous community- Umuduruigwemmadu autonomous community having sought for autonomy. This brought the total numbers of the town’s autonomous communities to three.

In the preceding information (by Chief Adol Onyima), it was mentioned that Amiri community constitute of ten villages. The recognition of Nchoko, who was not among the first generation sons of Amiri, as a village (alongside the first generation sons) brought the total number of the villages in the town to ten.

This development earned the three children of this son of Amiri recognitions as kindred in Nchoko village thereby bringing the total number of kindred in the town to thirty-one (see appendix II- villages and kindred in Amiri community). According to history, Nchoko was a grand son to Amiri and one of the children of Mbubu who was known for his laziness in farming activities, but has passion for warfare. He was belligerent. His other siblings included Umuduruogwu, Amakpu, and Ugboloha- names which are today borne by the three kindred in Mbubu village. As a result of his laziness, Nchoko was dependent on his brother, Umuduruogwu, for food, shelter, and medication. Consequently, he became part of his brother’s family.

Upon his decision to become independent, Nchoko sought for dwelling place in his father’s land. Due to lack of space, he decided to emigrate from Umuduruogwu in search of his own settlement. In respect of his decision, he was thus advised by his brother to seek for assistance from their uncle, Ubahazu, who was known for his benevolence. Ubahazu however allocated to his nephew (Nchoko) a small piece of land beside a small body of water known as Mmiri Umu Ewi which is located at the bundary of Ubahazu village, and a part of Otulu town where Ama John Nwaochia (presently Amiri junction located beside Awo-Omamma junction along Owerri-Onitsha trunk A road) is situated.

The multiplication of the descendants of Nchoko in number brought about their expansion into this part of Otulu which shares border with Ubahazu. Subsequently, due to their belligerent nature and bravery, they were able to claim over this area from the original owners. These aforementioned features were equally responsible for their subsequent assumption of the status of a village having agitated for such recognition.

ONE LOVE KEEP US TOGETHER!
AMIRI MUST BE BETTER!!!
GOD BLESS AMIRI!!!

Sent by Mathias Ojibeka
Author: Unknown
August 28, 2018

AmiriWaterTank

Road leading to Orie Amiri

28 Comments

  1. Legend Amiri evolved from the Umunnenasaa nation, namely (in order of seniority) 1. Isunjaba, 2. Eziamaobaire, 3. Amusa, 4. Nkume, 5. Atta, 6. Amiri, 7. Awo-Omamma. These ancient villages (now clans) worship one common dirty Eke Njaba, and had their geographical location/settlement along the course of the Njaba river. Colonial administration in 1900 brought Amiri and Awo-Omamma into western Oru and the rest of their kinsmen into Isu.

  2. Amiri clan of today consist of four autonomous communities with four Traditional Rulers. 1.HRH Eze B.N Igbodekwe111, Obi-Gedegwum of Amiri-Isu and Head of Amiri Clan. 2. HRH Eze D.D Nnabuo, Igwe 111 of Amiri ORU, 3. HRH Eze L.O Obilom, Duruoha 11 of Umuduruigwemadu Amiri, 4. HRH Eze C. U Uzoukwu, Mbu 1 of Mbubu Amiri .

  3. This is a very educative information thanks so much my elders.but please can someone give me the actual population of Amiri community

  4. Honestly I so much love this information
    Am married to amiri and don’t know anything about the amiri.

  5. Amiri, the second largest town in Oru is the oldest son of one of the wives of Oru. History points out that Amiri is the elder brother of Awo-Omamma and Atta (Atta was later married to Isu). Amiri married two wives, one from Oru and one from Isu. The first wife from Isu had four sons namely:

    1. Umuecheta
    2. Amuka
    3. Isiorie
    4. Umudioka

    The second wife had five sons namely:

    5. Umuduru
    6. Mbubu
    7. Amaokpara
    8. Ubahazu
    9. Ugbeke

    These 9 sons and Nchoko make up the 10 villages in Amiri. Nchoko, though not one of the first generation sons of Amiri, was made up of prominent warlords at the time. They left Mbubu and headed south in search of better life. They found good land between Ubahazu, Umuduru and Otulu where they settled and formed the last of the ten villages in Amiri.

    It should also be noted that Amiri was the seat of the defunct Biafran Navy where the naval commander, Capt. Anukwu held sway throughout the Nigeria/Biafra war.

    Chief Adol Onyima
    Washington, DC Branch

  6. This is brilliant. I am from Okwudor, i had no idea that Amiri is so vast and rich in connections between Awo-omamma and other bigger towns.
    Growing up as a little boy, in the 80s, Amiri people use to come down to use our River in Umuewi Okwudor. Now i understand these things better. Madu wu otu. Biko ka anyi huru ita onwe anyi na anya.

    Mathias Ojibeka- Uwa mara gi nma.

  7. This is a paradigm narrative. The unity of the siblings is evident. May your love for each other not be taken for granted.

  8. The article is quite educating and informative. I would like to know more about the connection betwee Nchoko and the rest of the 9 children of Amiri. There seems to be a little confusion in connecting him with the other children. Thanks. I’m Bar. K. D. Onuoha, from Mbubu.

  9. Do you know that Amiri went back in terms of development and infrastructure because of what Chief [Name removed by webmaster] did when he was representing Amiri in council. The hospital project to be built in Amiri was sold by Cheif [Name removed by webmaster] to Amaigbo people and that hospital is still in existence today answering Amaigbo General Hospital. And he used the money to buy a car at that time.

    Written by : Nze G.C Onyeaghala

    NOTE FROM WEBMASTER: This forum should not be used to make pointed accusations against anybody living or dead. Thank you.

  10. This is good… I’m the son of Arthur Okoronkwo the grand son of Peter Chukwuamalamokpe Okoronkwo, aka PC
    I love my village (Amiri)
    I felt good when I saw this history

  11. Dear Admin, kindly include Apendix II which u talked about showing list of kindreds in Amiri.

    Engr Felix Nnorom
    From Amuka Amiri

  12. Wonderful, my search for autonomous communities in Oru East LGA got me here. I didn’t know we are this big lol. These comments enlightened and broadened my knowledge, very educative.

  13. This is well written and very educative. Thank you admin for this eloquent submission.
    Comrade Nwosu Kenneth Ebuka.
    Isiorie Amiri.

  14. Please my dear people of Amiri Clan, Amiri as a TOWN has grown in both size and structure and should no longer be referred to as a village. A Town that has ten villages, twenty nine local wards in 1925, when Nchoko was recognized as a village. Amiri today should be ascribed and best be called a CLAN with many Towns. Those ancient villages as far back as 1925, are towns, having found themself in autonomous structures in Amiri Clan.

  15. Please my people of Amiri ….believe and work towards making Amiri to be better….invest and develop Amiri….it will help to draw the attention of Government both local, State ,Federal and even outside countries. …………If you believe Join me and say Amiri must be better……

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