EKUMEKU OF THE ANIOMA PEOPLE INVOLVED DIVISION OF LABOUR

 EKUMEKU OF THE ANIOMA PEOPLE INVOLVED DIVISION OF LABOUR

- Emeka Esogbue

Do you know that Ekumeku as carried out by the Anioma people characterized division of labour according to Anioma's erudite scholar from Obior community, Dr. Joseph Egwu and as published in Anioma Essence Magazine, a publication of the Organization For the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC)? 

With the Ekumeku Movement of the Anioma people, West Niger (1883 - 1914), the longest resistance to colonialism in Africa, the Anioma people struggled against the British imperial conquest of Southern Nigeria. For the first time in history, and since the existence of the people, the Anioma communities, hitherto disunited, became united by the Pan-Anioma Resistance against the British colonial conquest of Southern Nigeria with particular reference to Anioma territory. 

After the 19th century scramble for Africa, the British won what became Nigeria, and what they faced from African traditional rulers was resistance. However, Anioma stood markedly against the colonial intrusion and is seen as a case study of African resistance to colonialism being the longest colonial movement in Nigeria.

The interest of this author is that from scattered communities, the people of Anioma rose to become united in a common fight against the enemy, and division of labour among the various communities was applied to achieve this in the first and second Ekumeku which had some common features. The division of labour also had traditional specializations.

The Division of Labour/Roles Played by Various Communities

Communities that Provided Manpower for the Movement

1. Okpanam

2. Issele-Uku

3. Ezi

4. Obomkpa

5. Issele-Azagba

6. Issele-Mkpitime

7. Obior

8. IIlah

9. Ibusa

10. Ogwashi-Uku

11. Ashama

12. Ubulu Uku

13. Akumazi Umuocha

The Communities that Provided Necessary Information About the Movement of Royal Niger Company and the British Activities

1. Asaba

2. Illah

The Communities that Supplied Arms and Ammunition Such as Guns and Gun-powder and Food that Sustained the Movement

1. Igbodo

2. Umunede

3. Agbor

4. Ute Okpu; and

5. Owa

The Communities that Supplied Mystical Support Like Charms

1. Ugbolu

2. Ebu

3. Obomkpa

4. Ezi

5. Kwale

6. Aboh

7. Obiaruku

8. Isheagu

Where other Nigerian ethnic groups fell to imperialism within days and weeks, Anioma people according to Igbafe cultivated the spirit of communal individualism to confront the British. 

"Their ability to manipulate their Age Grade system and other associations in building an extensive network of communication throughout the whole of Anioma and even beyond presupposes a people whose national ethos is based on the high premium of loyalty, dedicated to a course of action, no matter its cost, honour, bravery, and integrity which have been internalized and consolidated in their myths, legends, proverbs, and typical pattern behaviour."