Umuokpara

Umuopara are a clan of the Igbo people of Nigeria. The Umuopara clan used to be part of the Ohuhu clan of Umuahia until 1949. Therefore, these two clans histories are intertwined. Umuopara consists of seven villages known as umunne asaa namely Ezeleke, Ogbodiukwu, Ekenobizi, Ehume, Ogbodinibe, Umuihi and Umunwawa. Modern day Umuopara has been divided into several autonomous communities for easier administration.

Culture

Umuopara is generally regarded as the cradle of Umuahia civilization. In the past it was known for the egwu festival which was celebrated at omaegwu. Umuopara is presently known for the famous ekpe festival which is also celebrated by other clans in Umuahia notably Ibeku and Ohuhu. The first ever Ekpe festival took place in Ogbodiukwu Umuopara. The new yam festival is also celebrated in Umuopara. The supreme deity in Umuopara during pre-colonial times was the Ojam. Most of the people in modern-day Umuopara are Christians with Methodist and Anglican as the dominant denominations.

Umuopara sons are well accomplished in different walks of life. Some notable sons of Umuopara include Late Chief B.O.N Eluwa, Chief Steve Ihedigbo, Chief G.N.A Atulomah, Chief Levi Nwokeafor, Pharm U.N.O uwaga, Late S.B.A Atulomah, Akpunku Iheuwa, Chuks Nwononiwu, Chief Anab Atulomah, C.N Ukanwoke, C.S.L Nwosu, Chief Odigbo, Chief Ineama, Okey Ezeala, Late Eze J.N Amaechi and many others.

Origin

There are several beliefs regarding the origin of Umuopara people. One view is that the Umuopara people did not migrate from anywhere. While this view sounds plausible, some villages in Umuopara today can convincingly trace their old settlement to places outside Umuopara.

It has been suggested that at least sections of the people of Umuopara came from obowu and mbaise areas.

Another version maintained that the Umuopara people, with their Obowo counterparts migrated from Nekede area in Owerri. In connection with this theory, some writers believe that traditionally, the ancestors of Ohuhu-Ngwa formed part of a migration from the Agbaja area in Owerri and move to the Imo River. Whether the migration began in Orlu,Nekede, Agba or Ahiara, it is noteworthy that all three centers are situated on the same, unbroken stretch of land.

It is strongly believed by most scholars that omaegwu in umuopara was the first point of settlement in umuahia.

A recurrent name in these theories is Obowo – a clan occupying the area west of the Imo River. This river, lying between Obowo and Umuopara clans is to both an important landmark. Whether the Umuopara people migrated from Orlu area or Owerri they must, of necessity, have crossed the Obowo territory before arriving at their present settlement. This area could well have been a resting point of a protracted journey to a promised land.

References

• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/613946/Umuahia
• http://www.myinfobell.com/city_ng_umuahia.html

External links

• -The Community Website