ABOUT URUM

ORIGIN AND MEANING OF URUM

 ​Urum has a rich cultural heritage and history, but just like most African societies, much of her history has been lost owing to lack of proper records and documentations. 

 According to the traditional ruler of Urum, HRH, Igwe B.O Nweke(Eze-ugbonyimba ii), 'Urum' means something that's unbreakable in nature and form. Giving credence to this, he noted that the people of Arochukwu/Ohafia axis, where the progenitors(Mgboenu and Upata) of Urum came from, bear 'Urum' as one of their common native names. 

Urum and Mgbakwu(Abogu) descended from Mgboenu and Upata.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL FEATURES

Urum is situated almost in the centre of Awka division of Igboland. Urum is located few kilometres away from Awka city but within Awka Capital Territory of Anambra State, Nigeria. It is one of the sparsely populated communities in Awka North, and it is located about two kilometres to the Southeast of its headquarters (Achalla). The landscape of Urum is low-land reaching its peak in Akaezi (now Akaeze) and Ugwu-Ofia-Ituku Ifiteora Villages, and then slopes towards Umufie (now Umuife) and Isu-aniocha; the land forms on undulating plain with numerous water courses like Ori, Iyi-Ofia and Mgboji. This plain is very expansive and most suitable for agriculture, which is the mainstay of the economy of the people. This affords abundant farmland both for the Urum people and other neigbouring communities.

Though the town is drained by numerous streams and rivulets, the most important body of water in Urum is Ori stream which was named after the major deity of the town. In the light of the foregoing, Nebolise Christians O. Submits that;Urum is situated almost in the center of Igboland, east of the Niger. The greatest vegetation characteristic of this town is its dryness and patched, broken up soil even at the height of the rainy season.

There is hardly any part of Urum that is known to be muddy for any considerable length of time, even after daylong heavy rains. The lone exception is a village called Umuife. This is due to its nearness to Ori, Mgboji and Iyiofia Rivers. The land in most parts of Urum seems to be so deep-rooted and dried-up that any drop of rain water is hurriedly swallowed up by the red, dry clay soil. In the dry season, the town, livestock, house-roofs, tree tops and indeed all that is exposed to mother nature are covered with a deep-brown layer of clay that persist till the coming of the first rain.

From the above observation one discovers that Urum is one of the parts of the tropics in Nigeria and Africa in general, rainfall is the most important element of climate in so far as agriculture remains the main occupation of the people. The town falls within the rain forest zone of West Africa with marked dry and rainy seasons. Temperature is generally high reaching the peak in dry season. Though some of the forests are unclear, most of the virgin forests were cleared for human habitation and agriculture, except the ones reserved for shrines dedicated to the gods and goddesses. Nnoruka Nneoke observed that “the people of Urum are mostly farmers”(Oral Communication 2015).

The soil is a combination of red earth and loam. The loamy soil is fertile for agriculture which has remained one factor that encourages the cultivation of yam, cassava, cocoyam, plantain, banana, maize and vegetables. As a result of this, food is abundantly surplus for trade. There are economic trees like iroko, pear, kola, coconut, palm tree and raffia palm tree from which palm wine is produced in great quantity. The farming system such as bush fallowing, land rotation and many others; and the cutting of timber have virtually robbed the area of its original vegetation. However, there are patches of residual rain forest that are in existence in some parts of the town.

Urum is one of the communities in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria; on the West it is bounded by Ukwulu and Nawgu, on the East by Mgbakwu, in the North by Achalla and Amanuke and in the South by Isu-Aniocha. The town is located on a table and at a height of about 120 metres above sea level, which shelves down a valley Eastwards where Ugbene, Ugbenu and Awba-Ofemili are situated. Urum has an estimated land area of about 52.8 square kilometers and one of the fast development communities in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Urum town as a whole covers roughly forty square miles

POPULATION OF URUM

​The population of Urum as at 2023, cannot be accurately posited, but Urum is estimated to have a little over 30,000 inhabitants. Urum has gone from rural area to semi-urban area. As one of the towns under the state Capital Territory, Urum is projected to have a population of over 100,000 inhabitants by 2035.

THE MEANING OF URUM AND ITS ORIGIN

Urum was the name of the person that founded a community known as Urum today. There are meanings in which the term “Urum” suggests that could be etymologically derived based on the manners and ways in which the town is being spelled and pronounced by her people and their neighbours.

HRH Igwe B.O. Nweke (Igwe Urum) observes that Urum could reliably traced from its Ohofia, Item and Arochukwu origins to mean something that is unbreakable in nature and form because their people of these aeras bear the name as their common native names. ( Oral Communication 2023)

However, Ekwoanya Matthew A. in his book entitled the History of Urum suggested four major schools of thought based on his findings regarding the meaning of Urum and its origin. Therefore, in Africa where writing system authoritatively originated and the people of Africa placed less value on writing till colonization of African territories and regions by the Europeans because Africans showed much preference to oral traditions.

They are as follows:Firstly, Urum as its name implies as a name of the community known as Urum today could be derived from Eri, the founding father of Igbo nation. The term could be a corruption of Erim. Upata as one of the offspring of Eri, the great, who did not want to lose sight of ancestral affinity with his grandfather, Eri, named his son Erim and this might be one and only reason/art that made Urum as she is known today as a town, no longer an individual person to name some of his settlement Umueri in order to depict strong relationship with Eri kingdom as his ancestral home.

Secondly, Urum simply means “my gain, profit or benefit” as its name implies. In accordance with Urum oral traditions which were handed down to the younger generation from the older ones for upkeep of the community, it has it that Urum has the same ancestral descent with Mgbakwu, Nteje, Ukwulu and many other towns. In the time immemorial, when there was famine in the land that some of his brothers and families like Nteje, Ukwulu and others left their parental confines but the immediate parents of Urum decided to stay back, interestingly, they survived the famine with bountiful blessings and favours of god(s) and most importantly, the blessing of a male child who was subsequently named “Urum” that is “my gain, profit or benefit”. They trained their children to be very hardworking and diligent in all their dealings especially the art of farming and hunting which were very lucrative businesses in those days.

Thirdly, the term Urum was derived from the words “Eluom Ana dike” as a result of migration, settlement and resettlement at that time. Arochukwu slavery oligarchy and related castle system in Igboland made so many people to migrate from one area to the other in those days. When the people came to Urum, they were assured of their safety and security by the people which made them to aver that they had reached the land of the brave that is “eluom Ana dike”. Therefore, the term Urum Anike is the corruption of Eluo Ana dike. Urum as a war like community has a legend that has it that their major deity “Ori” could easily turn to able-bodied men in order to defend their territory during the time of war.

Finally, Urum also means "my sperm". The legend had it that the progenitors of Urum Community popularly known as Upata and Mgbenu or Ugbe- enu were very accommodative and kind hearted persons who were ever ready to welcome visitors in their own home even in absence of their own biological male children and treat them like their children though they had many female children in those days. Luckily, the family was subsequently blessed with a male child which made them to name him Urum which means "my true sperm".

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN URUM AND HER NEIGHBOURS.

We shall now consider the relationships between Urum and her neighbours. For starters, Urum maintains contiguous relationship with the following towns, Mgbakwu, Isuaniocha, Nawgu, Ukwulu, Amanuke and Achalla. Urum has enjoyed amity and good neighbourliness with most of her neighbours. Urum was a member of the erstwhile political union - MBANESE, which comprised five member towns - Urum, Mgbakwu, Okpuno, Isuaniocha and Amanuke.

Mbanese administrative headquarters were at Mgbakwu, while the economic capital was Isuaniocha which necessitated the joint construction of 'Eke-Amakom', now known as Eke Isuaniocha. HRH Igwe Okafor Nweke(Eze-ugbonyimba i) of Urum, was the leader of Mbanese, crowned in 1935. In 1940s, MBANETEGHETE was formed by nine member communities - Urum, Mgbakwu, Okpuno, Isuaniocha, Nawgu, Ukwulu, Amanuke, Achalla and Ebenebe. The administrative headquarters of the defunct Mbaneteghete was located at Okpala-afifia area in Urum.

Urum and Mgbakwu share a mutual affinity on the basis of their biological ties. This is well accentuated on their cultural, religious and social fronts;

1. Urum and Mgbakwu maintain intervisitation to their respective 'Ajana'(The Mother Earth Deity) the repository and purveyor of justice. Members of these two towns who do anything culturally reprehensible or inimical that requires cleansing and appeasement of Ajana, are at liberty to visit any of the towns' Ajana in order to be free.

2. Ọzọ title taking and rituals are the same in the two communities; 'Ifu afia' ozo ceremony which is the climax of the initiation ceremony, is compulsorily done on Oye(orie)market day in the two communities.

3. There has been a consensus from time immemorial between the two towns on traditional marriage requirements. For instance, the requirements for an Urum man to contract marriage in Urum would be the same if he were to do same in Mgbakwu, and vice versa.

4. Counting and observing of the moon(traditional lunar calendar)is based on mutual agreement between the two communities. Many other instances abound..

Written by P.C OKEKE ESQ

Compiled by Mr. Matthew Amaechi Ekwoanya (MC ICHOKU)

TITLE TAKING: ICHI OZO/EKWE AND OTHER CHIEFTAINCY TAKING IN URUM

Urum has many titles taken by both men and women. Some of these titles include;
1. EKWE (for Women)
2. OZO (for Men)

Ekwe is for the womenfolk in Urum especially the married women who have trained their children and have attained certain socio-economic heights in the society. This title is now nearly extinct in Urum because of Christian religious beliefs and practices.

OZO: This title is for men who have shown interest and are also found worthy of the title by the appropriate authorities.

The following are stages in Ozo title taking in Urum:

a. The first stage of Ozo title taking in Urum in the 1920s used to be IGBU-ICHI.
It signified that the person was brave and courageous to take Ozo title in the community but today it is no longer regarded as a necessary step in taking Ozo title in Urum.

b. The second stage is IBU AMANWULU. 
At this stage, the people taking the title are expected to leave their houses and go to any of their relatives, and stay there for eight days. During this period of seclusion, relatives, friends, well-wishers and many others will pay homage to them. On the last day, they will wake up early in the morning, return back to their respective villages. Once at their village, they will gather at the village square in company of their relations and well-wishers. After this outing, they will return to their homes.

c. The third stage is OGBAGBA-AJUKE. At this stage, the people are expected to cook food for their units of Nze na Ozo in Urum. It takes place in the fifth month of Igbo Lunar calendar.

However, the following are the basic processes in title-taking in Urum.
They are as follows:
* Isi nri ekwu;
*Isi nri nsualo;
*Isi nri nwammadu;
*Isi nri ogwu na Ogbe;
*Isi nri Oba;
*Isi nri ntubaji na oba;
*Isi nri Isaile;
*Igbu Ewu Emem and;
*Odudu afia/Ahiaemem

d. The fourth stage is IDANA-EMEM.
At this stage, the prospective title holders are expected to kill a goat for their units and they are not expected to engage in any farmwork of all sorts during this period of their initiation into nze na ozo society.

e. The final stage is OPUPU AFIA OZO.
At this stage, the people are expected to go to the Oye/Orie market in their Ozo regalia with their relations, friends and well-wishers. During this outing, they are expected to come with a keg of palm wine to the market.

Compiled by: Mrs. Okonkwo Chinenye (Nee Echetabu)

MIGRATION AND SETTLEMENTS IN URUM

Migration is a natural instinct in mankind. This proclivity has helped inform our existence as humans. Migration can be defined simply, as the movement of a person or people from one locality or place of residence to settle in another place. Causes of migration include war, outbreak of diseases, famine, weather/climate, employment opportunities, etc.There are various types of migration but for the purpose of clarity, without giving in to verbosity and its alluring bait, we shall consider external and internal migrations only which occured in Urum.
External migration is the act of moving from one's place or country of origin to a different country. Emigration and immigration are the two major subdivisions of external migration. Emigration means moving out of a place or country while immigration means moving into a country.

EMIGRATION IN URUM

UMUDIANA
This is one of the earliest and original clans in Akaeze and Urum at large. Their abode which is now an enclave in Umuarune, is situated close to Urum-Mgbakwu border. Di-ana people's whereabouts are hitherto unknown.

UMULA
This group was part of Ifiteora quarters before their migration to Enugu state in the 19th century.

Others include Nwagu/Obodo-eri, Ituku, Umueri, Okpala-afia, etc.

IMMIGRATION IN URUM

CHIMIFIE
Chimifie was a great herbalist of high repute who came from Agulu-Awka and settled in Urum where he got married and founded  Umufie, now Umuife village Urum.

INTERNAL MIGRATION IN URUM

UDEABALUM
This is the progenitor of Obunagu people of Akitinyi village He was a native of Umuanuko kindred of Umuarune village, Akaeze quarters. He settled at the Obunagu part of Akitinyi where he sired the present occupants of the settlement; Umude and Umuoma (Umudumaga). Over time, these descendants of Udeaba were assimilated into Akitinyi larger community as we have them today.

It is pertinent however, to note that this list is inexhaustible as there are other cases of immigration and internal migrations which abound in Urum.

Written by P.C OKEKE ESQ

MAJOR OCCUPATIONS AND MARKETS IN URUM

Urum as a community with outstanding record of series of developmental strides, is situated in Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra state. Urum is made up of four villages comprising Akaeze, Akitinyi, Ifiteora and Umuyie which was renamed Umuife in  2008.

Urumians are people endowed with various gifts from God which have been a source of sustenance and survival to them. An average Urum man is naturally industrious and dexterous.

The pre-colonial African economic system had agriculture as its driving force, although other sectors such as the service sector, the production sector, and the trading/commercial sector were also in existence. In those days and up till date, the people of Urum have and are still participating actively in all of these sectors.

However, their major area of occupation is the agricultural sector due to a number of success recorded by numerous indigenes of the community in agricultural practices. This would make one believe that the major occupation of which Urum indigenes are known is farming.

The people of Urum Anike have knowledge of soil and crop science inherent in them from time immemorial. This could be seen in the premise that a farmer within the town who have had no access to formal education can discern between crops that can successfully germinate and those which cannot as well germinate at a given season or wether condition.  Their success in agriculture is also attributed to the existence of a highly fertile land of which they live in.

Nevertheless, in a bid to proffer solution to the increasing demand of labour force in the agricultural practice of the community, an extended family system becomes the way out. It is believed that the larger the family, the more the output.

Aside agriculture, Urum people equally engage in other meaningful economic activities as sources of livelihood. Such occupations include trade on locally made wares such as hoes, cutlass, traps sack bags etc. Most of the indigenes are drummers and dancers as well who entertain people at various traditional and ceremonial occasion.

Today, trading also flourishes in Urum Anike. The people have their main community market known as Orie market which lies on the slopes of Okpuno axis in Umuife village. It is the main market in Urum and one of the best in Awka North. Another notable market in Urum is Ǹkwọ Órí market situated at the village square of Akitinyi village. It was divulged by Mgbafọcha Adimweruka of the blessed memory from Akaeze village that  the gods, Ori became angry at a certain time.  After series of consultation, it was revealed that Ori requested that a new market be built and used in her honour. This gave rise to the existence of Ǹkwọ Ori market, in bid to appease the gods. However, it is pertinent to note that there are other minor mini-markets in existence at different village squares in Urum community.

Written By Victor Ejike Obiora

THE ADVENT OF CHRISTIANITY AND WESTERN EDUCATION IN URUM ANIKE

The arrival of Christianity and Western education in Urum Anike marked a pivotal moment in her history. Urum Anike became the first Community in Awka North council area of Anambra State, Nigeria in 1916 to have direct relationship and contact with the western world and education. It was in this same year that the Christian Missionary Society (CMS) arrived in Urum to spread the Anglican Church faith. This led to the establishment of Christ Anglican Church Urum, with Chief Albert Arinze Umenyiora as its founder.

Originally, the church was situated in Akitinyi village but later relocated to Ndiuno Ifite-ora village in Urum in 1920 at the behest of Igwe Okafor Nweke. Around the same time, in 1916, the CMS School, Urum, now known as the Community Primary School Urum, was founded.

In 1950, Urum had her second encounter with the Western world through the Catholic Missionary Organization (CMO), resulting in the establishment of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Urum, led by Chief Joshua Igwebudu Ozuah. Igwebudu Primary School was also founded in the same year as a Catholic mission school.

Later in 1964, Christ Apostolic Church was founded in Urum. This later metamorphosed into the present-day New Life Winners Church Inc., Urum. The establishment of the church was made possible by the Anidebe Family, specifically Chief Anibueze Oramulu (Oral communication, 2023).

In 1966, Christ Holy Church International Nigeria, popularly known as Odozi Obodo, was established and initially located in Akaeze Village before moving to Ifite-ora village in 1970. This transition was due to the Nigerian/Biafra civil war and was made possible by Chief Chinwendu Nwabude, who donated land for the church's building.

During the late 1970s, various Christian Pentecostal faiths and churches began to emerge in Urum. Then, in 1982, Community Secondary School, Urum, was founded, playing a significant role in shaping the community's future. The school has undoubtedly, produced and still producing accomplished scholars that have made their marks in the sand of time.

Written by: Mrs. Nkechi Obioma Okafor (Nee Aniebona)

NOTABLE PERSONALITIES IN URUM ANIKE KINGDOM

Considering the large heritage of the community, her resourcefulness and endowment, Urum is blessed with notable personalities in the past, present and still recording. Below is a list of some notable personalities in Urum.

The first Urum Anike man to study in a higher institution of learning was Chief Samson Ownwudiofu (Ezedioramma). He was as well the first registered WAEC Examiner in Urum and also the first Urum indigene to become a secondary school principal.

Dr. Festus Nnamezie was the first Urum man to study medicine and  surgery in the United States of America.

The first Urum man to become an Anglican ordained priest is Venerable Wilson Ejiofor Anowia followed by Venerable Vincent Nkemdilim who later became a one-time caretaker committee chairman of Urum Development Union (UDU) between July and December, 2013.

The first Urum man to become a Catholic ordained priest is Reverend Father Sylvester Ikechukwu Uchenna.

The first Urum man to become primary school headmaster in the annals of Urum Anike history was chief Lawrence Ownwudiofu while Chief Kenneth Nnamdi was the first indigenous headmaster of community primary school Urum.

Professor Ephraim Nkwute Aniebona was the first Professor of Electronic Engineering from Urum Anike kingdom.

Professor Paul Anaetodike Oraekie (Ozuome) was the first Professor of Mathematics at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli campus in the year. He is a native of Urum community.

Engr. Raphael Igweobi was the first Urum man to become a deputy comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and was the officer in charge of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu till his retirement.

Hon. George Nwokike Oranekwulu is the first Urum man to become the deputy chairman of Awka-North council of Anambra State, Nigeria.

Hon. Raymond Igweagbaka was the first Urum man to become the sole Administrator of Awka-North Council of Anambra State, Nigeria.

Evang. Emma Atado is a one-time bursar at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Hon. Prince George Okafor was the first Urum man to become a Special Assistant (SA) to the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Nigeria.

The list is endless, this is  just the beginning, as Urum Anike Kingdom continues to nurture and produce exceptional talents for the world.


Compiled by:  Mrs. Nkechi Obioma Okafor (Nee Aniebona)

KINGSHIP IN URUM 

The right to kingship in Urum traditionally believed to originate from Umuezeora in Umuerike of Ifiteora village, Urum.

Historically, Agbada Obi from Umuerike clan was the first inaugural king, chosen after extensive meetings among the people. Subsequent rulers from Umuezeora, though unrecorded, held the kingship position based on oral history. Chief Nnamdi Onyeamalu, a renowned king, formed alliances with neighbouring towns and became the first warrant chief of Urum under colonial rule. His successor, Chief Nweke Amaecheta, passed the kingship to Okafor Nweke, who, with British support, achieved notable feats during his reign. 

However, challenges arose when Chief Benedict O. Nweke sought succession, leading to an electoral committee conducting an igweship election. Despite initial perceptions, Chief B. O. Nweke emerged victorious, and in 1978, Igwe B. O. Nweke (Ezeugbonyimba II) was elected and coronated by the people, marking the ongoing tradition of kingship in Urum. 

The historical roles of over twenty rulers have primarily focused on preserving the customs and traditions of the Urum people. 

Compiled by Chigozie Orah Ojukwu