THE CENTRAL DELTA STATE OF NEMBE

The Nembe people are a well known tribe in the Delta region of Nigeria.  The origin of the Nembe was one not truly defined as there were so many traditions on how the once great state came to be. For this exposition we shall follow the tradition recorded by the historian E.J Alagou. According to this tradition, Nembe was founded by three men namely; Obolo, Olodia and Onyo. These three were believed to have migrated from the region of Benin, warri or around western Ijo. These men defeated indigenes of the Nembe area and took over the land. To this day these three men are locally worshiped as gods in the Nembe area. 

Not long a second migration occurred. The man Ogidiga who was of the linage of Ginuwa who founded Ode-Itesekiri led a band of war-like immigrants to the Nembe area. Ogidiga and his fellow migrants came from Benin-Warri area.

A third Migration occurred from the Benin-Warri area. This band of third immigrants established the ports of Twon and Akassa.

These influx of war-like migrants yielded fruit after a while. According to the historian E.J Alagou, the first notable ruler of Nembe Kala-Ekule, began his reign around 1450AD or 1500AD. This led to the birth of the Kala-Ekule dynasty, the dynasty lasted for several years until the death of Basau the last king of the Kala-Ekule dynasty. The death of Basau resulted in a long bloody civil war in Nembe. His sons went to war against each other for the right to the throne. The two sons Mingi and Ogbodo fought on for a time but none came out victorious and they had to contend themselves with carved out kingdoms. 

Mingi became the king of the state of Nembe Bassambiri while the brother ruled over a second portion Ogolommabiri. Both Kings headed a very powerful house. Traditions holds it that the King of Bassambiri was a stout very tall man and could be said to be a giant. He was believed to be strong enough to lift and throw a full grown man with one hand. He stammered in speech and had a repulsive appearance, he also suffered from quick temper and was cruel to his people.

Ogbodo on the other hand was the opposite of his brother. He loved peace. Ogbodo fought his brother for a good part of his reign for the sake of peace and prosperity for his people. Many who found a means fled the oppressive rule of Mingi and joined up with Ogbodo’s Ogolombiri. Though these migrations continued for a time, the weaker nature of Ogbodo meant he was unable to effectively establish a strong dynasty for his successors. It is worthy to note that Ogbodo was the senior among the two brothes.

King Mingi died around 1770 and was succeeded by his son Ikata. Unlike his father, Ikata was a wise warrior who showed mercy in war. War captives were treated well under his rule. He also introduced war canoes into Nembe. This allowed for quicker movement of his troops.

One of the most famous wars he partook in was the Bile war. Around 1780AD, king Ikata sent some traders to contact the European merchants located across the Kalabari area. The traders went through the bonny and Kalabari areas in search of these European merchants. The successful traders on their way back were greeted by the King of Amakiri of Elem Kalabari. The King who had a deep respect for King Ikata gave these traders gifts of Ivory for their King. The traders continued their journey homeward but as they crossed the region of Bile they were raided by the Bile inhabitants. Many of the traders were killed and few managed to reach Nembe. At first King Ikata took the news as an event of fate and refused to go to war against the Bile state. His sister ridiculed him for not avenging the ill suffered by his traders.  Though he chose a path of peace, however wanting to prove to his sister the decision to avoid war was to prevent more bloodshed rather than fear, he assembled his war canoes. His warriors went after the army of Bile which they utterly destroyed proving his initial silence meant peace and not weakness. Ikata strengthened the Kingdom of Nembe, this led other states to jostle for her alliance especially the king of Amakiri

ORACLES OF IGBOLAND (Ibini Okpabe of Arochukwu)

           

                     

The ancient Igbo people revered and feared many gods. These gods were not just the protectors of the people but acted as a unifying factor for different village groups. These loosely united villages resulted in war, skirmishes and raid rarely occurring among the various village groups. It is worthy to note that the Igbos were the first to practice a form of democracy in the area now known as Nigeria. The people contributed in making decisions guiding day to day activities of the village groups. For such collective decisions to hold sway, oracles and deities in igboland played a vital role.

There were four renowned oracles in ancient Igboland, their say superseded those of men and gods alike. These four are; Agballa Oracle at Awka, The Igweke Oracle at Umunora, The Amadioha oracle at Ozuzu and the most famous of the four, The Ibini Okpabe or Long Juju of Arochukwu. These four oracles were so feared that a declaration of verdict against an offender by their priests brought shameful and painful death. Though the potency of these four oracles cannot be over emphasized, however the Ibini Opkabe of Arochukwu was the most sought after. Seekers from as far as the delta regions came to her cave for answers to their misfortunes, atonement, blessings and solutions.
 

To understand the central role Ibini Opkabe played in the lives of the Igbos we must look at the community that housed it.

The Aros are situated on the west bank of Cross river near Itu. Tradition has it that non-Igbos were once the lords of the area until a revolt from Igbo settlers defeated and took the lands from their land lords. It was also believed the Oracle Ibini Opkabe played a central role in the coming to power of the Igbo settlers and their subsequent progress. The Arochukwu (meaning voice of God) drew the name from strong affinity to fetish ways, of which the oracle Ibini Okpabe was central.

The Oracle’s rise to success and prestige across the whole Igboland was attributed to a lot of factors. The Oracle had worshippers not just on the doors of its cave at Arochukwu but towards the borders of the then Igbo lands. Having adherents littered everywhere encouraged the need for agents who acted as a bridge to the Oracle. Since the Oracle presided over so many cases a day it became necessary to reserve an appointment and hope the case will be considered. This effective chain of agents came in handy in making such reservations. It did not take long before these men began to spread the tale of the oracle to areas yet entered, this they did because they profited financially as middle men. These agents could be called the first missionaries in Igboland.

Another reason for the Ibini Opkabe’s exceeding success among the other oracles was its quick penalty. Unlike the other three, Ibini Okpabe not only pronounces one guilty but effects punishment immediately. Two dissenters that went before the Oracle already know one will make it out alive while the other an instant death. This alone raised the Oracle higher in the minds of Igbos and the near Deltans. The Aros were great people who flourished in trade. There were markets flourishing in the west banks of the Cross river at this time. Executed judgments usually completed the day’s gossip in these markets. Visitors marveled at such stories, became accustomed to the supernatural happenings prompting them to tell the stories of the Oracle in their own lands. As the fame spread so did the adherents of the Oracle. Another thing to note is the believe Ibini Opkabe reserved the power to bless or curse the land. More yields were believed to occur when the Oracle is at peace with the land and the opposite became an end when it is angered.