Anam (town)

Anam Community is a mega community of eight villages strategically located in Anambra West Local Government Area, Anambra State, bounded by three Historic Rivers-River Anambra (Ọnwụbala), River Niger and River Ezichi. The famous Anambra River has its root from Anam. Umuoba Anam is the only village in Anam located in Anambra East Local Government Area.

The people of Anam are known for their hospitality, honesty, resilience, and hard work.

It is well established that Anam migrated from Igala, particularly Idah. This is supported by the pertinent Anam expression that "Mmanwụ anavago Idah", an indication that a masquerade which has ceased to perform publicly has gone back to Idah, the land of their ancestors.

History has it that Ajida the Great Warrior from Idah begot Ogbe, Ogbe begot Anam, Anaku, Olosi, Odiala, Okpanam, Nzam, and Umunankwo. Even though Anam descended from Idah, some parts of Anam migrated from other places as follows:

It is widely accepted that the name of Anambra State was derived from the Anambra River. The etymology of the name Anambra came from a combination word Anam Branch of the River Niger so named by the early white men when they came up the River Niger and "discovered" that the people they met along the course of the river were Anam.

The Anambra River since then became a reference point both for the whites and Anam people to the effect that when asked where they were from, they would say that they were from the Anam Branch Area. With time, the areas delineated by the river came to be known as Anam branch, later shortened to Anambra for ease of pronunciation. Thus, Anambra State was created from Anambra River (the natural landmark used in state creation), which has its derivation from the noble town of Anam.

People of Anambra proudly identify themselves as Anambrarians (people of Anambra area).

Anam has eight villages (formerly seven villages collectively known as Anam Mkpo Isaa). They are as follows: Umueze, Umuoba, Mmiata, Iyiora, Umuikwu, Umudora, Oroma-Etiti, and Umuem.

Broadly Anam town is subdivided into two parts each made up of four villages. The subdivisions are Ivite Anam and Ezi Anam

Anam is well known for farming and fishing. Anam Land is fertile, its waters and rivers are replete with a teeming number of a great variety of fishes. The people are predominantly arable farmers who farm round the season producing up to 70% of the whole food stuff in Anambra State. Major crops produced in Anam in large quantities include yam, cassava, rice, corn, groundnut and potatoes. Anam Rice is well sought after as it contains little or no gravel. The cornucopia of yearly farm harvest of the Anam people is directly linked to the abundance mentality of the people that no matter what, food will always be available. This may also explain their being generous to a fault when showing hospitality to neighbours and strangers.

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Wikipedia