History of Nkporo

What is history, why is it important, and what issues should be discussed or left out in Nkporo history? History is the systematic enquiry into the course of development of phenomena and, for societies, this also implies learning from the triumphs and weaknesses of the ancestors, raising our patriotism and self-confidence on an objective basis, and laying the foundations for the unity of the people around the cause of development for, “a people that do not know where they are coming from cannot know (or be sure) where they are going” History is essentially iku aka (telling the truth about the past in order to ensure peace and justice). History is neither igharita ugha (competition for falsehood), nor mgbaghata (complex falsehood intended to cover certain evils, complicate matters, or achieve unjust aims), nor ibuo awala (needlessly opening sore spots to deprive people of long-enjoyed privileges), which is also related to ibuo ilighili (excavating forgotten or harmful secrets, such as a concealed genealogy, which has the effect of radically altering titles or fortunes). "History" may also degenerate into ububup or akuko (mere story-telling) when purposeless, or told in a way that neither conveys real knowledge nor ignites some positive action. And, history may at least be very inconvenient to whomsoever had found igharita ugh and mgbaghata useful occupations. Many who write stories of local communities often end up solving no problems, because they did nothing else than paint rosy pictures, in fear that telling the truth might cause problems, even danger to their lives. But, history is about the future, even though rooted in the past, as foundation for a better society. So, even as we cherish what we once achieved, no one should be shy about the failings of the past and present. Which means that history has to be discussed in an honest and constructive manner, so as to prevent conflicts that ignorance may create… Professor Obasi Igwe 

Accurate history records are not palatable to any dishonest people or group who aspire for cover-ups because of selfish interest. This is a research and a meticulous attention to details of many historians, the history connected many Igbo groups in migrations and in settlements because of the people's quest and their behavioral identity. The Buffaloes Nkporo people is a group among other Igbo groups in migrations that sojourned to many places before the group found their first estate as a formidable group led by a prominent King Nkwoghoro Okwo, thus began their history. The Hebrew Igbo race emerged in Egypt in 600BC when the Hebrew state of Israel was destroyed and scattered to all corners of the earth. The race migrations began when they were completely rejected by the then Egyptian authorities in 592BC (See Jeremiah 1-end). At the time the Hebrew Igbo race found their foot in Nigeria, they were very curious to find a fertile farm land for farming but were forced to split time and again in their quest to realize their objective to live in peace and prosperity. A particular group among them sojourned near Enuguezike land and dwelt there for years, having a peculiar greeting "tasie", kaa, jokwa, nnaje, nnawo, ebuola etc. Note: worthy is the fact that their Hebrew tongue was mysteriously changed by He who controls the unseen and unknown events. Their migration continues as they were later seen in the present Uturu Okigwe ridge along with other Igbo groups. They left the zone to their next estate, well fertilized and good for their farming work, so they pitched their tents there. It came to pass that when they discovered their neighbours, comprising of Ikoro Nkon group of Ibibio, Ikpe, Nkana, Anangs, Iboms, and Ekois in the region, the language barrier, strange belief and tradition of the Igbo group were frightening to the Ibibios and Anangs. The latter became afraid of being attacked by the Igbo group. This culminated to the ancient struggles and rampages among them in a bid to chase away the Igbo group out of their place. Hence King Nkwoghoro organized his people particularly the youth and trained them rigorously for defence. Such training includes intense flogging competition with a view to develop endurance such that he that does not shout wins. For the adults, he trained them on developmental tactics of mob actions among age to forge their ancient kingdom. This rigorous life style deterred the Ibibios and Anangs from chasing them out of the region until other Igbo groups discovered them, hence both found settlements such as Nna Uru group later called Eru-Aro people, Unwana group of Igbos who covenanted with Ibibibo people not to shed blood, so that they lived together in peace. The constant struggles and rampages amongst the Igbo groups and the Ibibio and Anang people did little to restore peace. Thus the Ibibio and Anang people chose to call their Igbo neighbours another distinct name other than what they called themselves and they maintained the name till date Buffalo warriors. A name given to a group among other Igbo groups in ancient struggles by their neighbours that dominated their generic names to date.

The Ibibio and Anang people confirmed that those groups of Igbo did fought like the buffalo warriors warranting them to call them Nkporo meaning Buffalo in Ibibio tongue the same as in Anang tongue. Thus began the group name Nkporo/Nporo. According to a research finding, Nna Uru who founded Eru-Aro people married an Ibibio woman in order to keep peace with them along with his associates. But when Akpazie group of warriors led by Akuma Nubi came to the region, Nna Uru connived with them on oath to fight the Ibibios and its suburbs. They conquered the Ibibios; Iboms, Ekois and many other Ibiom villages that spoke Eru. This conquest helped the Eru-Aro community to stand on her feet. For the adult, he trained them on envelopmental tactics of mob actions among age grades against their impending invasions. This tactics they adopted enabling them to forge their ancient kingdom. This rigorous life style deterred the Ibibios and Anangs from chasing them out of the region until other Igbo groups discovered them, hence both found settlements such as Nna Uru group later called Eru-Aro people, Unwana group of Igbos who covenanted with Ibibibo people not to shed blood, so that they lived together in peace. The constant struggles and rampages amongst the Igbo groups and the Ibibio and Anang people did little to restore peace. Thus the Ibibio and Anang people chose to call their Igbo neighbours another distinct name other than what they called themselves and they maintained the name till date Buffalo warriors. A name given to a group among other Igbo groups in ancient struggles by their neighbours that dominated their generic names to date. The Ibibio and Anang people confirmed that those groups of Igbo did fought like the buffalo warriors warranting them to call them Nkporo meaning Buffalo in Ibibio tongue the same as in Anang tongue. Thus began the group name Nkporo/Nporo. According to a research finding, Nna Uru who founded Eru-Aro people married an Ibibio woman in order to keep peace with them along with his associates. But when Akpazie group of warriors led by Akuma Nubi came to the region, Nna Uru connived with them on oath to fight the Ibibios and its suburbs. They conquered the Ibibios, Iboms, Ekois and many other Ibiom villages that spoke Eru. This conquest helped the Eru-Aro community to stand on her feet. However, the Ibibios nurtured hatred for Nkporo people given that they have broken the peace oath they had with the Ibibio ancestors not to shed blood. Years later, the Ibibios and the Anangs suddenly waged war against Nkporo from Nkana and Isong at night driving away Nkporo people from their homes. According to Nkporo oral griots, this war took place years after the death of King Nkwoghoro Okwo the founding leader of Nkporo, who made the said peace agreement with Ibibio ancestors. He had three sons namely Agha; Okwo and Ogwu Nkwoghoro. From their hide out Okpukpu lyi Aro-Ibom, King Agha Nkwoghoro launched his unsuccessful counter attack that took his life. Before his death, he begat two sons: Jirenta and Ima Agha. After the war, the Buffalo Nkporo people became dismayed, migrated out from the zone. But there arose an intense dispute as to which way to go, leading to a division among the group leaders. King Ogwu Nkwoghoro led his associates to his chosen area. Research shows that they later splited again and again, some groups pitched tents in Nkporo Ogwu - corrupted to Mkpolo Ogwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra. While others settled at Nkporo Nnubi in Anima Local Government Area of Anambra. Still others at Nkporo corrupted to Nkpollo Ifite in Ogbunike Local Government Area of Anambra, and then others at Nkporo Aniti near Nsukka in Enugu State. Many migrated to the upper Igbo land. King Okwo Nkwoghoro the eldest son with his Nkporo ancient relics led his large group of Nkporo people beside Ikoro Nkon forest across Ike River and by-passed Àfinko stream and then settled at Ama-Ugwu Essagha between the present Thechiowa clan and Nde Udumawoke in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. That was before the arrival of Ihechiowa clan and Nde Udumawoke to their present abode. The large group of Nkporo people pitched their tents there until they discovered another Ibibio set of people with different characters. Both were in constant misunderstanding among themselves resulting in frequent struggles and rampages within them. It was said that the Ibibios do disguise themselves into animals in order to destroy Nkporo people's crops at night. This they often do at every farming season till the Buffalo Nkporo people could no longer bear the assault and decided to migrate out from the area leaving some remnants. The remnants grew to become a large Nkporo village in the present Thechiowa clan. Meanwhile King Chiowa Obasi Ugo and his group migrated to the same area, joined themselves to Nkporo group and cohabited with them till date.

Furthermore, King Okwo led the group again from Ugwu-ama Essagha to locate another Nkporo village at Elu and Udara ebuo, there they pitched tents, built a sacred pillar called 'Achi-chi upon which they made sacrifices to their gods. Soon after, according to Ohafia history, Mben group known today as Ohafia people migrated from Benin, bypassed places, stopped at Isieke Ibeku. Their leader Atta Akpo died there at Isieke in the present Umuahia. Before his death he begat three sons namely Onyerubi, Ezema and Igbo Atita. Onyerubi took the mantle of leadership in place of his father, directed the group to move out but some objected and stayed back at Isieke. Still Onyerubi moved his family and other cooperative associates but without Igbo Atita, for Igbo Atita migrated to another area and found Edda Igbo Eze along with his large associates and his adopted religion which became known as Egbela Edda said to have originated from ancient Egypt. After the Hebrews were scattered abroad in 70AD by the Roman authority, Onyerubi led his migration across many places from Isieke Ibeku and stopped at Amaelu where he found Abam with his associates. Ezema Atita led his group and associates and died on his way. There arose a division at that point, Ututu Ezema led his family and associates and found Uttu community now Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State. Uduma Ezema on his part led his family and associates away till they pitched tents at Ugwu Mgboghoro near Elu. It was at Ugwumgbo that Buffalo Nkporo people went to fetch water at Ngemoma stream, Elu and Udaraebuo and met the migrating group of Uduma Ezema. Those Nkporo ancestors did fetched water at the present Kalu Aliachi land near present Amuke village. There they introduced themselves, negotiations ensued between the two group elders, Buffalo Nkporo King Oturu Okwo and King Uduma Ezema. They formed a cordial agreement (Igba ndu) to live together in peace as one family, even a marriage allegiance became a reality. These two groups now in one accord fought the Ibibios, Biakpan and chased them from interland to Ibom River. Thereafter a great warrior Amuma, left Ugwumgboghoro and his associates, crossed Ufiele and found Amuma present village which became a boundary of the region. The Buffalo Nkporo people and Ohafia Uduma Ezema have lived together for centuries, as one people bonded by blood till date. Buffalo Nkporo sacred sign post is called 'Nja ikwu' whereas Ohafia Uduma Ezema sacred sign post is called 'Ududu'.