10 Things to Know about the Ichi Eze Culture in Asaba, Ibusa, Okpanam, Illah and Okwe

- Emeka Esogbue

It is no longer news that the Ajudua family made Ibusa proud again with the Obiship of Obi Dr. Henry Ajudua who is now the newest Obi in the community. Obi Dr Ajudua's Obiship brought the beauty of the people's culture close to global attention, allowing them to enjoy it.

Here are 10 things to know about Obiship:

1. Inside Udoh, the hallowed site, the anklet is tied. Symbolically, the anklet and red cap are the features Obiship seen by the eyes.

2. On becoming an Obi, there is no traditional title in Ibusa, Asaba, Okpanam, Illah and Okwe that supersedes the Obi title just as there is no traditional title that supercedes the Omu title for the females. After Obiship and Omuship, any other title acquired (anywhere) before and/or after is superflouos.

3. Traditionally, after the Obiship, only one name is chosen and added to "Obi" as a prefix and this may be the first name or family name though the surname appears preferable to many. The Obi nounal name is another traditional feature of the institution. The example of the Obi name is seen in "Obi Nweke," Obi Ajudua (Chief Fred Ajudua's grandfather), "Obi Atuche" (father of Mr. Francis Atuche), "Obi Nwaoboshi" (father of Sen Peter Nwaoboshi), "Obi Anaza," "Obi Uwaechue," "Obi Ajumeze" (father of Dr. Henry Ajumeze), "Obi Okolichi," "Obi Esogbue" (great grandfather of this author), "Obi Nwabudike" (grandfather of Stephen Nwabudike), "Obi Efozie," "Obi Okonkwo" (present Diokpa of Ogboli) and other Obis known by these names. In other instances, an Obi may traditionally choose his first name. Where an Obi exists or is known to have previously existed in the same name, an Obi may become known by his nickname existing side by side the "Obi" style and instances of this are found in "Obi Do Good" and "Obi Animal." But now that western titles like "Prof," "Dr," "Engr," have been imported many centuries after the existence of Obiship, some Obis today are likely to include them as prefixes in addition to Obi as seen in "Obi Prof Chike Onwuachi." Still, the traditional Ibusa man will refer to him as "Obi Onwuachi."

4. It is prohibited for any Obi and even the Omus to eat or drink outside or during social gatherings, regardless of how alluring the food might seem. The Obi eats in his traditional dinner room called "Okorkor." It is after the meal that the Obi blows his small native flute and later attended to. The Omu eats inside her house.

5. No Obi is expected to carry something on his head.

6. The Obi rarely lives anywhere, foreign to his native land (depending on the nature of the Obiship).

7. No Obi is to be seen fighting publicly

8. Usually, fighting in Obi's household is forbidden as this may attract "nha" (payment of fine)

9. The Obi is not expected to become so drunk that he falls to the way.

10. To be a traditional ruler in Asaba (Asagba), Ibusa Obuzor) or Omuship in Asaba, Ibusa and Okpanam, the candidate has to first pass through the Obiship rites. Ultimately, the Asagba, Obuzo and Omus are traditionally tied with "elili ukwu."

Congratulations to Obi Dr. Henry Ajudua and by extension, the Ajudua family of Umukwa in Ibusa's Umuodafe Quarters.

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Emeka Esogbue

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