OWERRI CULTURAL ASSOCIATION
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
WHO WE ARE
The Owerri Cultural Association is a group of well-bread gentle men and ladies from the old Owerri Local Government residing
in Northern California.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
•
To promote our culture and exchange of culture with people of different cultural origin. By promotion and exchange of
culture we mean:
•
To impact our language to people of different origin resident in Northern California, and who our interested in our
language-Ibo.
•
To exchange and teach those Americans who are interested in our traditional music.
•
To participate in volunteer works within our community and within the limits of our available resources.
•
To promote peace and unity among members and the community.
GOALS OF THE ASSOCIATION
•
To secure a permanent cultural center of the association.
•
To provide Life insurance scheme for members of the association.
•
To provide cultural awareness program for our children.
•
To explore the best possible ways to help those in need in our home country.
•
To help members who are jobless to secure jobs.
AREAS OF MEMBERSHIP
Who should be a member? All sons and daughters of the old Owerri/Oratta autonomous
communities are eligible. Today's local government of Imo State as of January 1, 2003.
1. Aboh-Mbaise
10. Isu
19. Okigwe
2. Ahiazu-Mbaise
11. Mbaitolu
20. Onuimo
3. Ehime-Mbano
12. Ngor Okpala
21. Orlu
4. Ezinhite-Mbaise
13. Njaba
22. Orsu
5. Ideato-North
14. Nkwangele
23. Oru
6. Ideato-South
15. Nkwere
24. Oru-West
7. Ihitte/Uboma
16. Obowo
25. Owerri-Municipal
8. Ikeduru
17. Oguta
26. Owerri-North
9. Isiala-Mbano
18. Ohaji Egbema
27. Owerri-West
LANDMARKS
Rivers:- Some prominent landmarks are the rivers. Uramurukwa river which rises
from Mbahiri, Obiangwu and flows through Umuekwune. From Umuekwune, it
parallels the Ogochia river and both rivers empty into Imo River at Igwenga in
Rivers State. Otarmiri River rises from Egbu and flow through Owerri urban to
Nekede.
Markets:- The village markets are another feature of the Owerri people. The Igbo week is
made up of eight (8) days. The Eke, Orie, Afor and Nkwo. To complete this cycle of eight days,
each of the days of the week is divided into small and large hyphenation. Hence, you will have
Eke-Ukwu & Eke-Nta, Orie-Ukwu, Orie-Nta etc. The importance of the market days are
reflective in our proverbs. "If you are poor, not on your market days". Some of the large
markets in Owerri are Eke-Ukwu Nnorie, Afar Umuohiagu, Eke Obiangwu, Nkwo-Ala Umuebe,
Eke Uhie and Orie Obibi. These are open market (like the flea or farmer's market in California)
where fruits, vegetables, meats, yam, cassava and other items are sold.
Arts & Culture:- A discussion about Owerri will be incomplete without arts and culture. Most
villages in Owerri have the Mbari houses. Mbari houses are complex works of arts. Grouping
of day sculptures and painting in a specially designed architectural settings, these elaborate,
unified complexes are built to honor principal community deities, often the goddess of the
earth. In the copy attached (Mbari house at Ndiama Ulakwo), the goddess is seated with
dignity in the center of the front side, her children close by, her servants, in the high relief,
standing guard behind. The sculptor has enlarge, and extended her torso, neck, and head to
express her aloofness and power. She is the apex of a formalized hieratic composition
balanced on either side by seated couples. More informally posed figures and groups are
found on the other side of the house - beautiful, amusing, or frightening figures of animals,
humans, and gods taken from history, mythology and everyday life. The complex, secret Mbari
construction rituals, as well as the sculptural program, suggests that each house is in fact a
cosmic symbol and the building process itself a stylized world-renewal ritual. Ceremonies of
the opening of the house to the public view indicate that the gods has accepted the offerings
(of the house) and for a time, at least, will be benevolent. Hence, the Mbari is never repaired;
instead it is allowed to disintegrate and return to the earth from which it is made and to which
it is often dedicated. The Mbari is a relatively transient art form, as are the arts of
masquerade, personal ornamentation, and festivals.
Christianity came and the associated these forms of art to idol worship. This impeded on the
continuity of these arts in Owerri.
Language:- The linguistic mosaic of Owerri people travels around the entire Igbo land as a
dialect of romance, music and tolerance. The melodious voice produced early musicians like
Israel Nwoba, Dan Orji, Peacocks, Joe Nez, Oriental Brothers, and Jerri Jheto to name a few.
Ibo Institution:- As a young organization, we have to recognize that which made us great,
that which has endured us for ages and that make us unique. You can compare the states and
Who should be a member? All sons and daughters of the old Owerri/Oratta autonomous
communities are eligible. Today's local government of Imo State as of January 1, 2003.
1. Aboh-Mbaise
10. Isu
19. Okigwe
2. Ahiazu-Mbaise
11. Mbaitolu
20. Onuimo
3. Ehime-Mbano
12. Ngor Okpala
21. Orlu
4. Ezinhite-Mbaise
13. Njaba
22. Orsu
5. Ideato-North
14. Nkwangele
23. Oru
6. Ideato-South
15. Nkwere
24. Oru-West
7. Ihitte/Uboma
16. Obowo
25. Owerri-Municipal
8. Ikeduru
17. Oguta
26. Owerri-North
9. Isiala-Mbano
18. Ohaji Egbema
27. Owerri-West
LANDMARKS
Rivers:- Some prominent landmarks are the rivers. Uramurukwa river which rises
from Mbahiri, Obiangwu and flows through Umuekwune. From Umuekwune, it
parallels the Ogochia river and both rivers empty into Imo River at Igwenga in
Rivers State. Otarmiri River rises from Egbu and flow through Owerri urban to
Nekede.
Markets:- The village markets are another feature of the Owerri people. The Igbo week is
made up of eight (8) days. The Eke, Orie, Afor and Nkwo. To complete this cycle of eight days,
each of the days of the week is divided into small and large hyphenation. Hence, you will have
Eke-Ukwu & Eke-Nta, Orie-Ukwu, Orie-Nta etc. The importance of the market days are
reflective in our proverbs. "If you are poor, not on your market days". Some of the large
markets in Owerri are Eke-Ukwu Nnorie, Afar Umuohiagu, Eke Obiangwu, Nkwo-Ala Umuebe,
Eke Uhie and Orie Obibi. These are open market (like the flea or farmer's market in California)
where fruits, vegetables, meats, yam, cassava and other items are sold.
Arts & Culture:- A discussion about Owerri will be incomplete without arts and culture. Most
villages in Owerri have the Mbari houses. Mbari houses are complex works of arts. Grouping
of day sculptures and painting in a specially designed architectural settings, these elaborate,
unified complexes are built to honor principal community deities, often the goddess of the
earth. In the copy attached (Mbari house at Ndiama Ulakwo), the goddess is seated with
dignity in the center of the front side, her children close by, her servants, in the high relief,
standing guard behind. The sculptor has enlarge, and extended her torso, neck, and head to
express her aloofness and power. She is the apex of a formalized hieratic composition
balanced on either side by seated couples. More informally posed figures and groups are
found on the other side of the house - beautiful, amusing, or frightening figures of animals,
humans, and gods taken from history, mythology and everyday life. The complex, secret Mbari
construction rituals, as well as the sculptural program, suggests that each house is in fact a
cosmic symbol and the building process itself a stylized world-renewal ritual. Ceremonies of
the opening of the house to the public view indicate that the gods has accepted the offerings
(of the house) and for a time, at least, will be benevolent. Hence, the Mbari is never repaired;
instead it is allowed to disintegrate and return to the earth from which it is made and to which
it is often dedicated. The Mbari is a relatively transient art form, as are the arts of
masquerade, personal ornamentation, and festivals.
Christianity came and the associated these forms of art to idol worship. This impeded on the
continuity of these arts in Owerri.
Language:- The linguistic mosaic of Owerri people travels around the entire Igbo land as a
dialect of romance, music and tolerance. The melodious voice produced early musicians like
Israel Nwoba, Dan Orji, Peacocks, Joe Nez, Oriental Brothers, and Jerri Jheto to name a few.
Ibo Institution:- As a young organization, we have to recognize that which made us great,
that which has endured us for ages and that make us unique. You can compare the states and
empires of the north with each other and those of Oyo and Benin; there are similarities between them
all, and though they show variation, they were based on related foundations. However, the Ibo, we
lived quite differently. We have no states, empires, no central government, rather used different
institutions.
Hence the absence of state systems led to lack of interest in dynastic records, even in oral tradition. As
such little is written about us nor empirical studies done on our institutions. However, if you study the
fundamentals of democracy, the Ibo institution fits the model. "Government of the people, by the
people, for the people"
Now let me explain our little known institution to our guests and our children. The Ibos
are the only group in Nigeria (after 1914 amalgamation) that was never penetrated by
Islam, or unlike the Benin counterpart had no contract with the European traders in the
early fifteenth century, hence a lot of our process was based on oral tradition.
In general pattern, the Ibos have two political institutions. The council of elders and the
village assembly. Respect for age was universal, so the council of elders usually
consisted of the heads of each family. The Ibo belief on equality is illustrated by the
right of any adult male to sit on the council, especially when a decision was being taken
affecting the individual. The recognition of this right also acted as a curb on elders who
might be tempted to make an arbitrary decision or form an unrepresentative hierarchy.
The village assembly strengthened popular participation in important decision-making. All controversial
issues had to be placed before it, and on such matters, all adult men had the right to speak. The
decisions then taken had to be unanimous, thus ensuing government by consent.
The judicial system also encouraged popular involvement. When quarrels occurred between members
of different families, other members of families, including the elders, could arbitrate. More serious
disputes and crimes were usually heard by the elders' council and the village assembly.
The broad uniformity of these patterns of government and law provided one strong element of unity,
and the unifying trend was reinforced by the third cohesive factor: the age group common to most Ibo
communities.
As a French author once said "Civilization permit great strides forward by any deviation from this noble
purpose, it ascertains itself as a destructive element". Hence, education is meant to enlighten and
enrich us not to erode our identity. Your children will remember the history you taught them rather that
the expensive restaurant you took them. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to
repeat it.
Let us encourage all Owerri people to re-awaken their patriotism, with discipline, sacrifice and trust,
with this we shall overcome challenges and build a strong organization that serves all people.
___________________________________________________________________
This article is credited to Chief Adolph Anuforoh Obilor from Egbelu Emeke, Obibiezena
all, and though they show variation, they were based on related foundations. However, the Ibo, we
lived quite differently. We have no states, empires, no central government, rather used different
institutions.
Hence the absence of state systems led to lack of interest in dynastic records, even in oral tradition. As
such little is written about us nor empirical studies done on our institutions. However, if you study the
fundamentals of democracy, the Ibo institution fits the model. "Government of the people, by the
people, for the people"
Now let me explain our little known institution to our guests and our children. The Ibos
are the only group in Nigeria (after 1914 amalgamation) that was never penetrated by
Islam, or unlike the Benin counterpart had no contract with the European traders in the
early fifteenth century, hence a lot of our process was based on oral tradition.
In general pattern, the Ibos have two political institutions. The council of elders and the
village assembly. Respect for age was universal, so the council of elders usually
consisted of the heads of each family. The Ibo belief on equality is illustrated by the
right of any adult male to sit on the council, especially when a decision was being taken
affecting the individual. The recognition of this right also acted as a curb on elders who
might be tempted to make an arbitrary decision or form an unrepresentative hierarchy.
The village assembly strengthened popular participation in important decision-making. All controversial
issues had to be placed before it, and on such matters, all adult men had the right to speak. The
decisions then taken had to be unanimous, thus ensuing government by consent.
The judicial system also encouraged popular involvement. When quarrels occurred between members
of different families, other members of families, including the elders, could arbitrate. More serious
disputes and crimes were usually heard by the elders' council and the village assembly.
The broad uniformity of these patterns of government and law provided one strong element of unity,
and the unifying trend was reinforced by the third cohesive factor: the age group common to most Ibo
communities.
As a French author once said "Civilization permit great strides forward by any deviation from this noble
purpose, it ascertains itself as a destructive element". Hence, education is meant to enlighten and
enrich us not to erode our identity. Your children will remember the history you taught them rather that
the expensive restaurant you took them. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to
repeat it.
Let us encourage all Owerri people to re-awaken their patriotism, with discipline, sacrifice and trust,
with this we shall overcome challenges and build a strong organization that serves all people.
___________________________________________________________________
This article is credited to Chief Adolph Anuforoh Obilor from Egbelu Emeke, Obibiezena
© Owerri Cultural Association - Northern California 2011-2015
All sons and daughters of the old
Owerri/Oratta autonomous communities
residing in Northern California
