The History of Ndi Nkwerre

 Nkwerre is an indomitable autonomous Igbo community in Imo State of Nigeria. Ndi-Nkwerre are historically linked to the Eshi, the founding father of Nkwerre who migrated from Arochukwu to settle at the present location in about seventeenth century (100 AD). 

A close unification of Nkwerre people and the Aros dates back to the time of slave trade (Igba Ohu). Ndi Nkwerre are very enterprising and engaged in a variety of local crafts including weaving, wood carving and blacksmithing. Ndi Nkwerre are so good in blacksmithing that they were referred to as “Nkwerre Opiaegbe” (Gun Makers). Ndi Nkwerre made all varied iron tools, which the Ndi Igbos needed and used at home and for farming, wars, rituals and traditional ceremonies. Ndi Nkwerre  blacksmithing skill delighted other Igbo communities to the extent that they confessed that Ndi Nkwerre are capable of producing any tool ever needed as professed in the saying “odighi ihe asi uzu kpuo ona-akpughi”. Ndi Nkwerre earned reputation in the versatility of blacksmithing and gun repairs to the extent that competing communities concluded that “Oyibo melue, Nkwerre Emezie” (the deficiency in foreign made products can be corrected by Nkwerre people). When Blacksmithing and gun making (the major means of lively hood of Ndi Nkwerre) was outlawed in Nigeria, the indomitable Ndi Nkwerre ventured into other trades to continue their exploit.

Ndi Nkwerre also had access to trade routes and was never out-smarted by any tribe in any way. Ndi Nkwerre are great travellers and travelled wide within the eastern region of Nigeria and beyond, and traded extensively throughout Igbo land. Ndi Nkwerre manufactured various articles including “Nwa alanga (small needle), Igodo (padlock) Ekwe-igwe (iron tripod stand) just to mention a few. Ndi Nkwerre are successful long distance traders and traded in beads, (Indian Madras) George wrappers, Gun powder and elephant tusks etc. Ndi Nkwerre traded and sojourned at far and near places including Orsu, Oru, Oguta, Aguleri, Nleje, Ogrugru, Adani, Nsukka, Ibaji, Odueke Aya and Ida etc. Ndi Nkwerre were great merchants from the days of the Portuguese trade and slave raid in west coast of Africa. Ndi Nkwerre traded in Opobo, Ohambele, Ndele, Ohanko. Essene, Itu, Akwette, Bonny, Okrika, Calabar etc. The contact with Europeans created a great impact of civilization that gave Nkwerre the characteristics urbanity and cultural distinct from their neighbouring communities.

Nkwerre dialect is very distinct and symbolical in Igbo land .One of such saying is “Oru mma, O ruhu mma, ya ruwa nga-ahu”. This means they do whatever pleases them whether good or bad .In those days, traditional festivals like Igba Nwogwugwu, Nkwo Ukutu, Iriji, Ihu ji n’obi, Amuma ulo, were all observed and cherished by Nkwerre people. Failure to observe some of these festivals in old days could lead to death, but most of the festivals are longer observed due to Christianity. Ndi Nkwerre also embraced Christianity from the British at demonstrated by early presence of Roman Catholic Missionary Society by 1913 and the CMS Missionaries by 1918 respectively. Ndi Nkwerre are now predominantly Christians.

Ndi Nkwerre made giant strides in under studying several human endeavours and produced great nobles, warriors, jurists, tacticians, master smiths, politicians etc. Ndi Nkwerre embraced western education from the British and was able build several nurseries, primary and secondary schools through communal effort including Central Primary School, St Augustine Grammar School, St Catherine Girls Secondary School etc.

Traditional title taking in Nkwerre is unique and the insignia titled men (Ndi Emume) in Nkwerre identified by the usage of various thread and iron anklets, the eagle feather, the red cap, the horse plume or fan. There were other traditional titles open to any interested freeborn of Nkwerre in those days. They include Ibu akpa, Ahanwa, Itu ichi (Igbu ichi) Onumonu and Ozo titles. Most of these titles are longer observed.

Traditional marriage systems in Nkwerre involves four preliminary stages namely: Iju ajuju, Iduru na Ndulata Nwanyi ( di abali ano), Nwaoka n’ulo, and Nri onu Aku (Igba Nkwu). Some of the traditional cultural organisations and dance groups in Nkwerre include the Okonko group, the Ekpe cultural groups, Ikperikpeogu war dancers, the Akalikpo dancer, the Ode dancer, Okorosha dancers, Owu dancers etc. The okonko dancer is performs during the Iriji festivals. The Ekpe group epitomizes strength and threat to the enemies of Nkwerre, serves as peace keeping traditional arm for enforcing discipline and ensuring honesty and justice in Nkwerre.

Ndi Nkwerre practiced several stages of funeral ceremonies similar to other Igbo communities. These include Ibusu Ozu, Olili Ozu, Igbasu Ozu and Ito Mkpe respectively.

The symbol of authority in Nkwerre kingdom as in several other Igbo communities is the Ofo (equity and fairness). The significance of the Ofo according to history is indeed a acquaintance of headship or “Di-okpara” in a quarter or kindred group of a typical Igbo town. The holders of the Ofo shares benefits of responsibility according to the order of seniority among the principal Ofo holders of which Nkwerre kingdom is one.

There are currently thirty one villages in Nkwerre town. These are Umuagu, Ukwube, Eziala durumba, Obinuhu-umuduraji, Umuogbo, Ukwuinyi, Umuokpu, Amorji-agbimiri, Umuezike, Umunyem, Umukalu, Umulolo Amaegbu, Umukabia, Okwu, Duru-awuzie-nanwahia-umugara, Umueze, Umunachi, Umuchukwu, Amangwu, Umuduruenereji, Umunaga, Duru-okala-durumba, Obinaocha-umuduraji, Alaekwe, Ndimbara-durumba, Amorji-ugwu, Okwaraji, Ndimbara-amaegbu, Umuezeala-amaudara-umugara, Eziabo village, Umulowe umugara. These villages have village presidents who are answerable to Nkwerre Aborigine Union (an umbrela cultural union for Nkwerre as whole). Nkwerre Aborigine Union has branches in most major towns and countries outside Nkwerre land. The traditional ruler of Nkwerre is known and addressed as the “Eshi” of Nkwerre.