Inyi, Nigeria

Inyi is a town in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria, approximately 60 kilometers from Enugu City and 35 kilometers from Nnewi. The name "Inyi" refers to a metaphor, which is an essential component in the creation of proverbs. It is the Igbo name for the red water tree. Due to historical events connecting the tree and the town's founder, he was given the name, which subsequently became the town's name. Inyi has several tourist attractions, including the Nwachighi stream, Ajala Inyi shrine, Okpu-ogho spring, Oji Alum Rapids, and the Sacred Heart Church. The town is also known for its pottery and traditional crafts. Visitors can also enjoy the hospitality of the Inyi people, who are known for their love of traditional music and dance. They also have a rich tradition of pottery and traditional crafts. The people of Inyi are primarily farmers, wine tappers, and petty traders. Women are skilled in pottery and the making of abacha varieties. Inyi people believe in God, the other gods (especially the earth deity), ancestors, and reincarnation. A popular festival in Inyi is the Ajala Inyi festival, which is held every year in October. Christmas and Easter are also celebrated in Inyi.

Bronze metal statue of a woman moulding a pot, erected in 1960 independence of Nigeria

Arial map showing the various village and main roads within Inyi town

Geography

Inyi is a town located in the Oji River Local Government Area within Enugu State in Nigeria. It's about 60 kilometers to Enugu City, the capital of Enugu State, 45 kilometers to Awka, the capital of Anambra State, and 35 kilometers to Nnewi via Ufuma Town. It is located in the southeastern area of Nigeria and is largely populated by members of the Igbo ethnic group, an area also known as the Waawa people.

The name INYI is derived from a tree called Inyi, under which the father of inyi descendants was found and adopted. The English name for this tree is "Ordeal tree" or "red water tree". Its botanical name is Erythrophleum suaveolens.

Inyi comprises nine villages, namely:Umuome, Enugwu-Inyi, Obune, Amankwo, Agbariji, Alum, Umuagu, Nkwere, and Akwu. Recently the government of Enugu created five autonomous communities out of Inyi. These autonomous communities are Agbada-Inyi (Umuome, Obune, Amankwo and Nkwere), Ugwu-Inyi (Agbariji and Akwu), Enugu Inyi, Alum, and Umuagu.

It is bordered by Achi, Awlaw, Akpugoeze, Ugwuoba (all in the Oji River Local Government Area) and Ufuma.

History

According to oral history and cultures in practice, the forebearer Inyi himself was born in Agun'ese, near Umueji a village in Ufuma, Anambra State. According to oral tradition, Inyi was said to be a special child, displaying heroic tendencies and characteristics which were far beyond the ordinary. For example, Inyi was said to have erupted the upper set of teeth first before the lower set of teeth, something considered out of the ordinary in Ufuma and Igbo land then. He was therefore taken across the Mmamu River to fend for himself at that very tender age. Accounts here are conflicting about the farmer and or the hunter who picked him up under an Inyi tree {from where the name Inyi was adopted}. Often called Inyinese or Inyi agu nese Omeire depicting bravery, fearlessness and heroism, the young man at the time displayed intrepid characteristics that set him out early in life as a hero in his own right and by all standards. One account narrates that the hunter Ji-ala adopted him and took him to his community at the time and further postulates that Inyi helped Ji-Ala to father a child via Ji-Ala's daughter because the latter had problems of high male child mortality, which actually made him to adopt Inyi as a child in the first place. The descendants of this arrangement said to hold the spiritual powers of beholding taboos and abomination(igbuju ala, iji-ala and Ipufu-aru) had nurtured Inyi to manhood, protecting him spiritually and otherwise. Inyi had since progressed therefrom into the modern Inyi going forward. The offspring of Inyi and the daughter of Jiala has remained intact as a community in Inyi called UmuJiala(children of Ji-ala). That blood convergence of Patriarch Jiala and Patriarch Inyi in UmuJiala of the Present has made UmuJiala the custodians of the Odu-na-ala and Ome-na-ala (mores or laws) of all Inyi Nation's religion, culture, honor, etiquette, customs, manner and affairs per Igbo Mores (per Dr. Francis Arinze 1978:30). Another narrative makes reference to Nkwere as the farmer adopter, who raised the baby Inyi among his children [boys and girls]. The account asserts that the boy Inyi was very strong, hard working and courageous so much so that he outshone all the other children. At the time, the Patriarch, Nkwere invited a priest of the gods to offer sacrifices and to prepare life sustaining monuments. The priest [dibid] had requested all the children to go out and bring a handful of soldier ants without flinching, clinging nor balking. None of the Nkwere children could do it. The young Inyi was eventually called to perform the act and he did so returning with a handful of soldier ants with no sign of cringing nor balking. From this brave act, the priest of the gods proclaimed hence that Inyi shall be great and will have many children and children's children. Going forward therefrom, the man Inyi had five sons (Ome, Enugu, Obune, Iji and Nkwo) of his own, who were often referred as Inyi Agu n'ese Omeire, or the "five active tigers". One of his sons, Iji, had a son Agbara and a daughter Chieze, who founded Agbariji Village and Alum Chieze Village, respectively. The other four sons founded their respective villages by name; Umuome, Enugwu Inyi, Obune and Amankwo. As time went on with migration and movement of people, Umuagu village was adopted, so also the descendants of Nkwere were annexed as Nkwere Inyi. Lastly, Akwu Inyi village migrated from Enugwu Akwu Achi and got hosted by Agbariji Village, bringing the number of Inyi villages to nine.

Ji-Ala's descendants had remained as a community in Inyi clan -ISI ALA keeping the custodians of what binds and unites the Inyi Nations together and servicing the other villages with the spiritual gift powers of beholding taboos and abomination(igbuju ala, iji-ala and Ipufu-aru) until the colonization of Nigeria took place and were administratively absorbed into Enugu Inyi and Ajala Village into Umuome Inyi as well, but UmuJiala remain as the 'Titular Fathers" holding the ancestral Ahiajioku Shrine, Nji-ichie Jiala/Inyi/Enugwu shrines, Agwu-Ikpa(the ancestral healing shrine of the Inyi Clan, Ooji Inyi (pronounce as Ooohji - meaning the ancestral staff of a patriarch from Jiala to Inyi). Sources for constructing this history, which are not available as digital links, include information from pages 4 to 11 of Inyi Home Affairs written by Professor C. Agodi Onwumechili in 2006; and also page 6 of Coming A Long Way written by the same author in 2010. Information also came from Professor Onwumechili's Igbo Traditional Government without Kings, delivered as the Ahiajoku Lecture for year 2000. Worthy of mention too are pages 101 to 110 of the Biography of the Eminent Pioneer Geophysicist -Cyril Agodi Onwumechili –Professor of Physics as authored by Emeritus Prof. Alexander Animalu, Professor (Mrs.) Francisca Nneka Okeke. and Jeff Unaegbu in 2011.

Tourist Attractions

Inyi has many tourist sites, including the Nwachighi stream; Ajala Inyi, Okpu-ogho, Oji Alum Rapids; Iyi oku; the Sacred Heart Church; Nkwo market, the biggest market in the town; Ngwara stream for swimmers, Ogba Anike and others. Inyi is situated centrally, with fertile arable land, clay deposit and very good people. inyi is more like a place for pottery in the earlier period though. this is also shown in the status of the woman with a pot.

Education

Between 1976 and 1977, two secondary schools were built in Inyi by community effort and with approval from the State Ministry of Education, formerly Anambra. These schools are the Boys High School Inyi (now known as Model Comprehensive Boys Secondary School) and Girls Secondary School Inyi.

Today, there are many more secondary and tertiary institutions in Inyi and prominent among them is the School of Health Technology Inyi, which is a school of paramedical studies located in Enugu-Inyi.

Culture

Food

Abacha ncha made from Cassava and Palm oil etc.

Inyi people are known to be very hospitable and cheerful. They are notable for the manner in which they entertain their guests after the initial offering of kola nut (Oji) in any simple or complex gathering or event. Traditionally, Inyi people entertain their visitors by preparing their staple food, Ncha which is a delicacy, served with fish and fresh Palm wine (White Palm Sap water) gotten from local Palm wine tapping. This palm wine is noted to be beneficial to the sight with its yeast content, especially when drank in moderation, as it is also intoxicating. Inyi people enjoy the company of each other so much so that they are said to drink from the same cup without any fears or reservations. Like other parts of Enugu State, the people of Inyi are also well-known for their delectable Okpa.

Early proverbial expressions

Inyi is full of early proverbial terms. "Ukagbantu mmu Inyi" (Ukagbantu that procreated Inyi) is one of them. This proverb alludes to the Inyi people's ancestry, demonstrating that Ukagbantu, who was Inyi's wife, gave birth to the Inyi people. The Inyi people made a deliberate effort to preserve that piece of history by turning it into a proverb. There is also another common proverb that refers to Inyi history. "Inyi nese omire" refers to the five very talented sons of Inyi. This proverb maintains the precise count of Inyi's direct sons for future generations. The sons' skill was the root of this. Because the five sons of Inyi displayed the traits their father had instilled in them as they matured into men. They gained notoriety and reputation as "umuinyi nese omire." An additional proverb aims to conserve a different aspect of Inyi history. It is "Agbariji na Arum wu nwanne". This means that Arum and Agbariji are brothers. According to an anthropological narrative, Agbariji, a direct son of Inyi, had an unmarried daughter who gave birth to Arum. The Inyi people live in peace and harmony, which gave rise to the adages "Inyi ji ofu iko anu mmanya" (Inyi people are content drinking together from one cup of wine) and "Inyi nw’ochucho" (the lovely ambiance of Inyi/ pax inyi). Inyi is likewise replete with wellerisms. One revolved around the awarding of the Emume Inyi abia title, also known as "Igba abia" in Igbo, to eligible Inyi men. On Nkwo market days, the investiture is typically completed. It is the highest traditional title in Inyi, approved by Ajala Inyi, the town's deity. "Obuako nwa Ezechineke shi na ihe nya jiri mara ma Inyi na agba Abia wu na nya turu okuahu, ashi na obiaha na ahia maka nowu Nkwo Abia" is the wellerism that demonstrated how the people felt about the abia title. Several well-known sayings and quotations, including the one above, are attributed to the historical figure Obuako, a sage from the vicinity of Ndikelionwu.

Occupation

The people of Inyi are primarily farmers, wine tappers and petty traders. The women are proficient in pottery and the making of abacha varieties - food items deriving from cooked cassava tubers shredded to sizes and types. It is this abacha that forms the main component of the delicacy called ncha. Inyi can be said to be the headquarters of ncha in Nigeria. A visitor is offered this delicious dish just after the presentation of kola nuts.

Religious beliefs

In pre-contact times and, for some adherents today, Inyi people believed in God (Chukwu), the other gods (especially the earth deity, Ajala) and ancestors. They also believe in reincarnation. It is the conviction that a deceased person's soul is reincarnating in a different body. It is implied that Inyi people perform burial and funeral rites for their departed kinsmen who led honorable, virtuous, and desirable lives in order to facilitate their rebirth. Inyi people believe that in order for someone to reincarnate, they had to go through the process of dying and being granted supernatural powers. Therefore, it becomes essential to perform the right burial rites in order to help the deceased reach this spiritual state.

The Inyi people prayed to aforementioned spiritual entities. For instance, Aja ala, or the earth force, had sway over the Inyi clan. An old man had shrines dedicated to ahiajoku (Yam force) and Ndu ichie (Spirits of Ancestors). An old woman kept a shrine dedicated to Chukwu Okuke, who grants children to mothers.

About 1917, Christianity came into Inyi town in the form of Church Missionary Society of the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Mission.

Festivals

A popular festival among the Inyi people is called Ajala Inyi. It is held mostly in October each year. Ajala is a powerful deity in the Inyi culture. Commencing from Eke, Orie, Afor, and Nkwo, the festival spans four Market days and is as old as the Inyi people. Every year, the Ajala Inyi festival is accompanied by a masquerade display to keep the public entertained. Christianity has also introduced Christmas and Easter seasons in Inyi. Christmas is held every December 25 to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Easter comes up between March and April every year. It is celebrated in remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Masquerades are seen during these celebrations, signifying some sort of inter-religious influence.

Taboos

Similar to certain other cultures that prohibit certain things, the Inyi people have their own set of forbidden things. They don't eat tortoises or monkeys (though it appears the monkey taboo is observed by people from Agbaraiji village of the town). Anyone who accidentally kill the animals (and is aware of the act) will have to bury the animals.

Weather conditions in Inyi

Weather conditions in Inyi consists of two major seasons, the Dry season and the Wet season (Raining season).

The dry season begins in November and extends till April, but between December and January, the days are at its driest and windy, nights and early morning are colder. This is generally referred to as the Harmattan season. The northeastern winds come often in spells that last from a few days to more than a week. Nights become chilly and temperatures may even drop below the 18 °C, coming back to an average 32 °C during the day with occasional peaks above the 36 °C during the day. The hot harmattan winds evaporate body moisture quickly and give a sensation of coolness to the skin. It is these Sahara winds that carry large amounts of dust to the state, leaving a thick fog in the morning and a hazy sky for the rest of the day behind.

However, the rain season falls between May and October with the heaviest rains in June and July during this season, the rain is mostly preceded by strong winds and skies filled with lightning and Thunder. In the absence of rain, weather is clear and cool, around 26 °C; during the day and 20 °C in the night, however humidity prevails. The annual rainfall in Enugu State is between 1.5 and 2 metres.

Notable personalities from Inyi

It is pertinent to acknowledge the Legal and intellectual reform brought to Inyi people by Pa High Chief Richard Chukwunakpunze who was among the pioneer Court-Clerk of the Southern Nigeria and equally a descendant of His Royal Majesty EZE (Igwe) Maduekesi, Lion King of Inyi Kingdom and other sphere of Influence. Richard Chukwunakpunze (pioneer Court-Clerk), Elder Timothy Mbah (First lay reader in the then Udi division and one of those who brought the Anglican church into Amankwo-Inyi), Beniah Madueke, Francis Emeribe, John Anyaji, Basillos Onyebuchi, Eze Chukwu Maduekesi (1st Warrant Chief), Ude Ekwo Nwokolo, Udeagbara Uzoka, Edward Mba, Alfred Obika (Enugwu), Micheal Amuche, Matthew Anyafuluzo, Ezekiel Ike and Pa Obika (Agbariji) and a host of others were the pioneers who received Christianity about the year 1917 and founded the two early church groups (Church Missionary Society of the Anglican Communion and Roman Catholic Mission) which formed the bedrock of western civilization and education with the founding of primary schools at the time. Later their sons: Nze Aaron Obika, Prof. Agodi Onwumechili, Morris Chukwu, Felix Madueke, Adrain Orah, Beneth Maduka and their peer group co-founded Inyi Welfare Association (IWA). Prof. Onwumechili was the National Chairman IWA when Elder Timothy Mbah was the Chairman, home branch. The IWA and later groups worked tirelessly to uplift the literacy level of the town and founded Inyi Boys Comprehensive High School and Inyi Girl's Secondary School.

Some prominent Inyi people include

• Eko Chukwukelu, who taught the first professor from Inyi, Cyril Agodi Onwumechili, in primary school.
• Pa.Wilfred Anyagbakaba Chukwunakpunze
• Sir Cyril Chukwunakpunze
• Prof. Cyril Agodi Onwumechili (First to be appointed professor from Inyi, 1962)
• Rear Admiral Allison Madueke, Former Military Governor of Anambra and Imo States of Nigeria. He later became the Head and Chief of the Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy. His wife was a one time Minister for Petroleum Resources
• Chief Barrister Matthew Orji Udeh (Legal Practitioner and author of five books on various aspects of Inyi history)
• Chief John Chukwuka Udeagbala (Former Secretary to Enugu State Government/Deputy Governor under Military Rule, Retired Permanent Secretary Enugu State, Former Chairman Niger Gas Limited Emene, Former Chairman Enugu State Civil Service Commission)
• Elder Timothy Mbah
• Sir Obed Mbah
• Sir Basil Nnaemeka Mbah
• Madam Joy Iheanyi Chukwunakpunze (nee ilobuba, president Maduekesi women Groups)
• Lady Caroline Udeh (Retired Chief Nursing Officer Enugu State)
• Barrister Austin Ilo -Nigeria Customs, Oji Nma Egbo-Ogu Inyi
• Engr. Chike Madueke, Agbalanze Inyi, the National President of Inyi Towns Union, ITU, President Sunrise Club of Inyi, works in The Presidential Taskforce on Power in the Presidency
• Chukwuekezie Emmanuel
• Dr. Mike Madu
• Rev. Fr. Raphael Egwu
• Arc. BOB Oforbuzo
• Pharmacist Toomu Igweobi (CEO, AC Drugs Limited)
• Hon Ugochukwu Madu - former Deputy Chairman Oji-River LGA
• Okoli Ikechukwu
• Hon. Ernest Mattah- first Executive Chairman, Oji River local government area
• Chibueze Chris Obika - a lawyer based in the United Kingdom
• Chukwuekezie Magnus
• Chukwuekezie Bede
• Rufus Ilo
• KGB Oguakwa
• Sir Charles Mbaoji
• Lady Esther Umesie
• Mrs. Joy Orah
• Wing Commander C.O. Udeh
• Barrister Damian Ihuefo Udeh
• Raymond Obi Udeh (Estate Surveyor & Valuer, CEO Sabrina Properties Limited, Vice President Sunrise Club of Inyi)
• Barrister Frank Umesie
• Dr. EC Onyeka
• Professor Martin Obi
• Dr. Eddie Floyd Igbo
• Celsus Ndubueze Mbah
• Rear Admiral A. Amuche
• Rear Admiral K.c Ezete
• Hon. Innocent Onyiribe
• Sir chike onyekwelu
• Emeka Emeri
• sir Charles Agbasi
• sir Emeka onyebuchi
• sir Eugene nwozo
• sir madu Onyiribe
• sir Alaebonam prince
• sir Oguejiofor nwabuike
• Commodore Uba Basil Ajala
• Igwe Mike Offor Mberedeogu
• Hon. Obi Madueke (President General Ugwu Inyi. # PDP Enugu West Zonal Chairman # CEO Cobi Computers)
• Professor Nick Ezeh
• Emeribe Ejike Benjamin
• Sir Calistus Iloabueke
• Engr. Levi Madueke, African Union Addis Ababa (AU Expo Commissioner General)
• Chief Ben Oraamulugo - Nigeria Custons, Nke Nke Enyi Inyi
• Engineer Goddy Madueke - Honorable Commissioner of Works, Enugu state, Nigeria
• AU Obingene
• Prince Dominic C Ebube
• Ozo Casmir Nwokolo
• Jeremiah Kenengeneoha Unaegbu (the undefeated champion in traditional wrestling who defeated all his opponents from Achi and Inyi towns)
• John Unaegbu (An experienced foreman, transporter, market builder, oil palm mill owner and processor)
• Jeff Unaegbu (Research Fellow, UNN; An author of over thirty books, including histories of places and biographies of notable people)
• Sir Augustine Udah
• Emmanuel Udah
• Sir Victor Udah
• Chief Jeff Mbah (Member representing Oji Rivet constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly)
• Sir Zephaniah Udenze
• Onuzulike Okezie
• Dr. DAE Orjiako
• Prince (Barrister) Victor Ogoegbule Mba-Inyi
• Chudi Igwe - Diamound Bank
• Prince Christian Ekenedirichukwu Ezeh
• Walter Mbah - Union Bank
• Alloy Odili Onu, The Presidency
• Engr Emeka Iloegbulam - NLNG
• Engr Ken Amuche
• Lady Rose Kaja - Wife of Late Vice Admiral Chijioke Kaja
• Bishop Jonah Ilonuba- former Bishop of Nsukka
• Prof. Floyd Igbo
• Dave Okey Chukwuka
• Nze Augustine Alagbogu(Onwanaetiriora 1 of Inyi)
• Engr Basil Ezeh (Ezehata 1 of Inyi Kingdom)
• Dr. Ugochukwu Mata- Anesthesiologist based in Dublin, Ireland
• Late chief Ike Augustine illoanyaegbunam (Ezekwesiri 1 n' inyi)
• Sam Onuzulike Onyekere
• Dr. Livinus Orjiakor
• Johnbull Onyeji - Ikenga na Malaysia
• Barr. Chris Iloabanafo
• Emeka Iloputaife
• Rev. Obiora Nwozor
• Major Iheukwumere Christopher ILoabanafo
• Hillary Obi. Ohio Mac
• Emeribe william ugochukwu
• Celestine Ekene Onyebuchi
• Valentine Uche Mberedeogu.
• Nneamaka Iloabanafo - Etisalat Nig
• Mr Ike Gift Ifunanya (TechGuru)

More notable names are mentioned in the song, "Inyi Nese Omire", a song about the town

Select bibliography on Inyi

A number of books and articles have been written about Inyi town. They include:

• Chukwunakpunze. C.B (2011) Rural Development; A Discourse on Inyi Town development genealogy, founders and its Health Center, paper abstract, University of Nigeria.
• Onwumechili, C.A. (2006). Inyi Home Affairs. Lagos: Omot-T Professional Printers.
• Onwumechili, C.A. (2010). Coming a Long Way: A Biographical Memoir. Massachusetts: King Printing Company.
• Animalu, AOE, Okeke, FN. & Unaegbu, J. (2011). Biography of the Eminent Pioneer Geophysicist, CYRIL AGODI ONWUMECHILI, Professor of Physics. Abuja: Ucheakonam Foundation (Nig.) Ltd.
• Unaegbu, J. (2020). "Igbo Post-Contact Proverbs of the Inyi Community", Proverbium, Vol. 37, pp. 311–340.
• Madu, P.O.B. (2010). Facts about Inyi. Lagos: Omot-T Professional Printers.
• Mberedeogu, M.O.A. (2009). Broken: The Story of Inyi: Told and Untold. np:

Sagg & Scorpio Communications.

• Mberedeogu, M. (2003): Save Inyi Town. Saga and Scorpio Communications.
• Madueke, Levi Uche. (2013). “Positioning  INYI strategically to embrace the challenges of development” Being a Memorial Lecture delivered on December 29, 2013 during the formal Inauguration of Nkenke Enyi Foundation for Bright Students Scholarship at the Chief Nkem Oramalugo villa, Agbariji, Inyi, Enugu State, Nigeria.
• Udeh, M.O. (2001): History of Inyi 1900-2000. Chuka Links Pub. Enugu.
• Udeh, M.O. (2004). Inyi History: 1900-2000 (2nd Ed). Enugu: Fidgina Global Books.
• Ude, M.O. (2013): 100 Years of Church Missionary Activities in Inyi and Awlaw Regions, 1912-2012; 206+xi Pp.
• Ude, M.O. (2004): The Life and Times of Warrant Chief Udeagbara Uzoma (1899-1994), Enugu: Fidgina Global Books.
• Chukwu, Kevin Ejike. (2017). "Role of Sunrise Club in Strategic Capacity Building for Sustainable Development of Inyi Autonomous Communities" International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences, Vol. 6, No. 4., ISSN: 2226-3624 189. www.hrmars.com.
• Ejikeme, Joy Nneka U. (2021). "Traditional Burial And Funeral Practices In Inyi, Oji River Local Government Area Of Enugu State, Nigeria", IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies UNN, Volume 21, No.3 83 -101.
• Ugwuoke, J.C. & Amalu, N.I. (2017). “Characterization of Inyi Clay Deposit for Its Ceramics Potentials”, American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER), Volume 6, Issue 12, pp-78-82; ISSN : 2320-0936.
• Iyi, E.C., Ezike, E.C. & Eneh, N.D. (2022).  “Sedimentary Characteristics Of Inyi Sand Deposit And Environs In Oji River, Enugu State, Southeastern Nigeria”, Irish Journal of Environment and Earth Sciences, Vol. 6; Issue 4, July–August.
• Ugbor, C.C.,  Madu, O.C. and Eze, M.O (2023). “Integrated Geological and Geophysical Investigation for Coal Resource Estimation at Inyi and the Environs, Oji River, Enugu State, Nigeria”, Journal of Mining and Geology Vol. 59 (2) 2023. pp. 217 – 232.