Nara Unateze

Nara Unateze (originally eraranwata) is a town in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State Nigeria. It belongs to the Nkanu clan of Igbo land and speaks the Nkanu dialect of Igbo language. It is popularly known as Obodo Iwewe (the town that never gets angry).

Politically, Nara consists of two Electoral Wards namely Nara Ward I and ward II respectively. Each ward elects a Councillor, a local parliamentarian that represents it at the Nkanu East Local Government legislative Council at the Council Headquarters at Amagunze.

Nara has 4 autonomous communities namely Nara, Amagu/Amofia, Umuawalagu and Isiogbo Nara. Each community is headed by a Traditional Rulers usually called "Igwe".

Nara is bordered by Ugbawka, Ihuokpara,Ezza, Nkerefi, Mburubu and Isu/Ohaozara.

Town

The town contains eight communities, Umueze, Umuawalagu, Amagu, Amofia, Umuiba, Isiogbo, Umuawaragu, and Umuokparangene.

Boundaries

The town is bordered by Ugbawka, Nkerefi, Ihuokpara, Mburubu, and Isu Ohaozara.

Villages

The major villages are Amofia,Umueze, Umuiba, Amagu,Umunze,Umuokparangene,Umuawaragu

Features

Nara-unataeze has predominantly two major rivers which are, the Esu river and the Ojorowo River. The two rivers have their confluence at Obeagu Umueze.

Another great feature of this great town is the presence of its two major markets, namely Nkwo and Orie Nara whose market days are only four days apart from each other.

On each market day goods and commodities which Naraunateze is known for are always displayed in high quantities as it dubbed that the farm produce of garri and palm oil gotten in the town serves a quarter of the state's populace.

A popular saying goes that the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, the major delicacy of the Unataeze people is Ofe-awa (awa-soup) which is prepared with the awa leaf together with the egusi seeds preferably.

Nara-unateze as community is nicknamed "Obodo Iwe-ewe" which translates "a town who never gets angry".

The palace of HRH late Igwe Nathan Ogbu serves as a tourist attraction as the edifice boasts structural features unobtainable elsewhere.

Rulership

Nara-unataeze became popular under the reign of the late king HRH Igwe Nathan Anyi Ogbu, Odenigbo 1 of Nara-unataeze, who was influential throughout his reign of over 4 decades. His good deeds was praised and sung by all, as it was highlighted in the various tracks of contemporary High life Musicians such Chief Osita Osadebe and Sir Oliver the Coque both of blessed memory.

After the influential King joined his ancestors, it took several years before the mantle of leadership was handed over to his son HRH Igwe Ifeanyi Ogbu (Ivurube), Odenigbo II of Nara unateze.

Prior to the reign of Igwe Nathan Ogbu, the first paramount ruler was Chief Ogbuka Edeanyi from Agbariji village.

Three other autonomous communities have since been created out of the original Nara Kingdom with each community headed by a Traditional Ruler. The other communities are Isiogbo Nara whose Ruler, Igwe S.A. Arinze died recently; Umuawalagu with HRH Igwe (Ezeudo) Abel O. Nwobodo (JP), KJWI, MFR as its Traditional ruler; and Amofia/Amagu whose Traditional stool is currently vacant owing to the demise of its Traditional Ruler, HRH Igwe Thomas Okeke Egbo. Earlier, the Amofia/Amagu had produced HRH Igwe Okoro Egbo as Traditional Ruler before his demise.

See also

• Populated places in Enugu State