Ohakpu Town in Oru

Ohakpu, is an ancient town in Oru West L.G.A of Imo State, famously known for their age long masquerade (Nne mmuo) called Ikwe Ohakpu. It is made up of five villages, Ezukwu, Ikenga, Amafor, Ubahudara and Umuchukwu (Ndiokwaraeke) named in their order of seniority.

Their origin can be traced principally to Ezukwu the aboriginal inhabitant living in a cave, after migrating from Egbema. He was met by a hunter named Ikenga, who co-inhabited with him, hence the tussle’ on who arrived first. Dara and Chima originally part and offsprings of Ezukwu moved out to become Ubahudara, Amafor migrated from Okija in Anambra State and Ndiokwaraeke came from the wave of migration from Arochukwu.

In general the original inhabitants claim to have come from Egbema near Oguta hence the similarity of culture and name bearing as can be seen in the performance of Owu festival, igu, names like Ejebilagbo, Ekwegbara and deities like Ekwensu, Ogwugwu, and Enyinja. Other migrants abound from other communities in and around Oru and Ihiala.

Ohakpu is a boarder town on the boundary of Imo state and Anambra state. Their closest neighbours are Uli and Amorka in Ihiala, Anambra state, Ozara in Oru-West and Egbuoma in Oguta Imo state. The traditional stool is presently occupied by HRH Eze Ben Ononuju Ojiaka (Ogbuehi V). The community has a primary and secondary school. The natives are predominantly Christians and a small chunk of traditionalists. The community singly built St Aloysius Catholic Church, Community Primary School, Commercial Secondary School and Electrification of the entire town.

Being a table land, there is no presence of a river and the predominant source of supply is from streams in adjoining towns like Ozara, Uli and Amorka before the advent of pipe borne water. The major occupation of Ohakpu natives is farming, hunting and Trading. Their hunting spree led to the emgiration of Ekwem a famous hunter who later formed Ubahuekwem community in Ihiala. Their farming explores takes them to far away Ogada, Egwe and Osemoto all near Oguta.

The culture and tradition of Ohakpu people cuts across the famous Ikwe Masquerade and Ekeleke of the Ndiokwaras, Owu festival, Igu Aho and Iro mmuo. They have two markets Eke and Afor Ohakpu, which trade every four days.

Engr. Kelechi Okeke
Umueletamuzo, Ubahudara, Ohakpu
2012.