Omuship of the Anioma People: What the Institution Defines By Martha Dunkwu

 Omuship of the Anioma People: What the Institution Defines

By Martha Dunkwu

In 2005, as I was about to celebrate my 50th birthday, I humbly requested the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof E A C Nwanze, from Asaba to do a lecture on "The Role of Omuship In The Development of Anioma". He set up a committee headed by Dr. Ikechukwu Enwenwa from Ogwashi Uku, then Head of the  Sociology Department of the University of Benin. The committee worked extensively with the research of world-renowned and famous Anthropologist, late Prof Mike Angulu Onwuejiogwu from Ibusa Founder of the Anthropology Department of the University of Benin. 

I did the oral research, talking to our wise elders, who are now late. Prof Onwuejiogwu wrote, "The concept of Omu seems to have been derived from the idea of "mu" or "mua", that is, give birth or "omumu", giving birth. It is associated with the palm frond of the palm tree called "OMU", a very powerful symbol of womanhood. In the Igbo cosmology, the palm tree is female, while its fronds connote fertility and life just as the am is a male symbol. It is therefore consistent with the logic of culture for a woman's institution to be named Omu. It was propagated in Asaba, Okpanam, Ishiagu, Illah, Issele-Uku, Ibusa, Obior, etc,  between AD 1200 and 1914". It is my understanding that the Ndokwa people had it but lost it centuries ago and I hope that our sister communities bring it back. 

It is also practiced in communities in other states that originated from Anioma like Onitsha, Osomalla, etc. In Yoruba land, you have the Iyalode (Woman Leader) and Iyaloja (Market Leader). Ada means the first daughter. At respect for our female children, our elders call all daughters ADA. So, there's nothing wrong with any daughter of Anioma choosing to be known as Ada Anioma. She is even promoting our daughters and the love our Forfar has for female children. 

Omu has two Titles. Omu means Queen Mother and Ezenwanyi means female king in charge of women. "Omus are mini kings in their small Palaces in the sense that they are attended to by retinues of advisers (that included few men who the Omus had conferred with traditional titles) and domestic assistants". Osaghale &Osiki, culled from the book "A Short History of Omu: An Account of A Female Traditional Institution in Anioma" by Emeka Esogbue. 

"The Omu is supported by her lieutenants, Otu Omu, comprising comprising women and few men whom the Omu had conferred with traditional titles peculiar to the Omu society. Such titles as Omogwu Omu,  Odifili Omu,  Ihaza Omu, Ogene Omu, Iyase Omu, Aka Omu, Onu Omu, Anya Omu, Afo Omu, ukwunje Omu, etc" Pro E A C Nwanze's lecture of 2005. The Omu's dressing is Akwa Ocha, red cap, many eagle feathers on the red cap beads, horse tail, and elephant tusk. 

How you select the Omu differs from community to community. In some, it is rotational. In others, it is hereditary to certain quarters or Villages, like Ogwashi Uku, it is hereditary to daughters of Agidiase. The duties of the Omu are 70% Spiritual, 10% to be custodian of the markets, 10% lead women, and 10% settle issues. When you become the Omu, you must leave your marriage and come back to reign in your father's home. There, a Palace is built for you to function. You are no longer a variable of three meals a day. At the point of Coronation, you are bestowed male rights and become a man and woman put together. The Omu is the Spiritual Guide to the community and the Traditional Ruler. 

Our wise Forefathers set up the Omu Institution 822 years ago to include women in leadership and harness their potential. They were women-friendly. The Western World started women's inclusion a little over 100 years ago. Therefore, I doff my hat to our Foreign and bow with unlimited humility to their intelligence and ingenuity. Our current Royal Fathers added Omu Anioma to the Omu Institution 12 years ago. I was crowned Omu Okpanam in 2002 and Omu Anioma in 2010. The Omu Institution was created by men and is managed by men today. No woman is ever involved at any stage. It is not a democracy. It is not subject to Facebook views. It is a complex, delicate, intricate, and in some cases dangerous Institution. The Omu is the only woman permitted to break the colanut in Anioma Nation. 

Well, our Great Anioma Historian Emeka Esogbue, there you are. God bless you richly.

HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Okpanam/Anioma, writes from Okpanam in Delta State, Nigeria