Ariam/Usaka is one of the four principal clans of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria.[1][2] Ariam/Usaka belongs to the Isuogu family. Ariam itself is made up of three subgroups namely; Ariam, Ekpiri and Usaka.[3] This clan borders Ibere and Oboro to the north, Oloko to the west, as well as several Ibibio communities in Akwa Ibom State to its eastern and southern borders. Forde and Jones categorized the Isuogu family (Ariam/Usaka and Oloko) in the Ohuhu-Ngwa cluster of the Southern Igbo area.[4]
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| <100,000 | |
| Languages | |
| Ariam Igbo, English, Nigerian Pidgin | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Oloko, Abam, Ngwa, Nkari, Annang, Ibibio |
Origin
editAriam migrated from Ugwuala in Abam and Usaka from Ora Obara also in Abam. The first settler in Ekpiri was called Onyeike Ukwumbe from Ubaha in Nsulu Ngwa (popularly called Umu Osaji) in the Old Aba Province. They drove away the Annang inhabitants and settled at Ariam Ala-Ala. Later, the scarcity of land made them warriors who drove the Annang group further southwest to Nto Ndang and Ita Ikpo. The new settlement was named Ariam Elu-Elu.[3]
Culture
editThe Ariam people celebrate the Ekpe festival; an event marked by the other three groups in Ikwuano. Local wrestling tournaments are also organized. They speak the Igbo language but have their own dialect.[5]
Villages
editAriam/Usaka is made up of 15 villages namely;
• Amaegbu
• Ariam Elu-Elu
• Azunchai
• Ekpiri Ala-Ala
• Ekpiri Elu-Elu
• Ekwelu
• Ndieke
• Ndiokoro
• Ndiorie
• Obugwu
• Obeama
• Oboni
• Upa
• Usaka Ukwu[6]
Boundary disputes with neighboring Akwa Ibom communities
editOver the years, the Ariam/Usaka community has continuously been involved in bloody boundary skirmishes with her Akwa Ibom neighbors. For instance, in February 2021, as many as 16 people were reportedly killed, with six others missing in Usaka Ukwu, Azunchai, Ekpiri Ala-Ala and Ariam Elu-Elu and among their Nkari and Obot Akara neighbors in Ini and Obot Akara LGAs of Akwa Ibom State respectively. Other communities affected by the boundary clash were Oboni, Upa, Ndiorie, Obugwu and Ekwelu.[7][8]
See also
edit• Oloko
References
edit- ^ "Governor Kalu Orji". www.gamji.com. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
- ^ Bachi. "After Years of Darkness, Ariam Usaka Agog as Abia Speaker Donates Transformer, Power Restored (Videos + Photos) - Jude Chijioke Ndukwe - PUO REPORTS". Retrieved 2023-01-17.
- ^ a b https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356191302_ORIGIN_MIGRATION_AND_SETTLEMENT_IN_PRE-COLONIAL_OLD_BENDE_DIVISION_OF_SOUTHEASTERN_NIGERA
- ^ Forde, Daryll; Jones, G. I. (2017). Western Africa Part III. doi:10.4324/9781315297736. ISBN 9781315297736.
- ^ "ekpe festival in umuahia". www.benzclub.net. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
- ^ places. "Towns & Villages in Ikwuano « Abia State « Nigeria". Towns & Villages. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
- ^ Nwafor (2021-02-03). "16 killed, 6 missing in Abia/A-Ibom boundary clash". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
- ^ Daniels, Ajiri (2021-02-02). "Abia/Akwa Ibom boundary clash: 1 soldier, 16 others killed, 6 missing". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-01-17.