Brief History of Umunoha

Umunoha is a town located in southeastern Nigeria near the city of Owerri. It is known for its unique traditions and culture, including the Igwekala shrine, the Orie-Amaigwe market, the Mmanwu masquerade, and traditional rulership by the Egbuchulam Chimezie royal family.

The Igwekala shrine is a famous jungle that covers over 100 acres of land near the center of Umunoha. It is known for its healing powers, attracting people from all over the continent for its healing properties. The shrine is tended by native doctors known as "Mbranigwe," or members of the Igwekala cult. Although the shrine has been searched by both the British during colonial times and the Nigerian Army during the Nigerian Civil War, it still exists today.

Umunoha's market, Orie-Amaigwe, meets every eight days and is attended by buyers from neighboring towns and all over Imo State and Nigeria. The market offers a wide range of products. Umunoha is also known for its famous cultural masquerade, Mmanwu. Every male child born in Umunoha is initiated into the Mmanwu cult at puberty and is referred to as an Otigba. Female children also join the culture as Erere, although their membership is not as significant as the male members.

The creation myth of Umunoha claims that the town was founded by a common ancestor - Nnoha Okechi - who begat several children and allocated areas for them to settle. These areas eventually became villages. According to tradition, a warlord named Nnoha Okechi migrated from Ozuzu, Etche, River State, Nigeria, and settled in Umunoha after defeating the original Isu settlers. He dispersed the Isu, seized their land, and distributed it among his children based on seniority. Duru, Nnoha's first son, became the progenitor of Umuduru village, while Okparaoma, Duru's younger brother, became the progenitor of Umuokparaoma village. Okparafor, the fourth child and third son, became the progenitor of Umuokparafor village. Durundom, Duru's only sister, remained at home and begat Umudurundom village, and Mbara, Nnoha's fifth and last child, became the progenitor of Umumbara village. The area was later renamed Umunoha.

From the beginning of Umunoha's history to the present day, the royal family of Egbuchulam Chimezie of Okwaraihekuna, Obeakpu, Umuokparaoma has dominated Umunoha's traditional rulership. The royal family dates back to colonial times, when they ruled the Igwebuike Kingdom, a collection of communities in Mbaitoli before the creation of local governments. The third-generation ruler and leader of the royal family, HRH Late Christopher Nlemchukwu Egbuchulam, was once the Surveyor-General of Imo State. He left the post to become King and was succeeded by his son. The eldest son of the deceased Eze, Engineer Chukwuma, is now the present Eze of Umunoha as a fourth-generation traditional ruler.

In recent times, a new autonomous community called Obinoha was carved out from Umunoha thereby carving out Umudurundom and Umuduru from Umunoha; Although, both communities still share things in common. Despite this change, the rich history and traditions of Umunoha remain an integral part of the town's identity and continue to shape its culture today.