Azia

Azia is a town in Anambra State in Nigeria. It is located in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. Ihiala local Government Area consists of several cities, such as Amorka, Azia, Okija, Mbosi, Isseke, Orsumoghu, Ubuluisuzor and Uli. It lies in the agricultural belt of the state. Ihiala is an unusually peaceful part of the country, attracting settlers wishing to escape other chaotic Nigerian cities. Its people are one of the Igbo speaking peoples of Eastern Nigeria. The Biafra International Airport, which was used for humanitarian relief, was located in Amorka during the Nigerian Civil War. Also located in Amorka is one of the Bunkers built by the then Leader of the Biafrans.

Azia was named after the founder and the father of the inhabitants of the town, Azia Alamatugiugele who according to oral history lived about 1,400 years ago (470-585 A.D). Azia, Orsumoghu, Mbosi and Isseke were the sons of Osunano by his first wife who is the owner of the portion of land that cuts across Azia and Orsumoghu known as Ama-Lolo (Lolo's farm land). Osunano in turn is a son of Igbonano. Before the coming of the white men, there was a region of the Igbo country called Igbonano. A conglomeration of clans, Igbonano was supposedly located in the area now occupied by some thirty autonomous communities from both Anambra and Imo states.

These communities on the western axis of Anambra-Imo border area, till today still have many things in common e.g. similar names of idols, a type of ancestral masquerade called 'mmanwu ozaebile', a similar style of red cap title ceremony graced with uhio music, a set of ozo title prefixes (Ezike,Dara, Duru, Dim, Ume, Ezeani, Ezeahia, Ezeloma and Okpara) etc. Azia had four sons, Dara-Nsu, Ezebo, Ihite and Ukwakwa. These sons are the founders of the five villages in Azia namely Umudansu, Umudiokpara, Ihite, Ukwakwa and Abam. The people of Umudiokpara and Abam are the descendants of Ezebo the second son of Azia. Ezebo had two great sons: Ezike Okwe (Diokpara) and Abamliwu (Abam). Their descendants became numerous and formed two villages but they chose one share as Ezebo-household in Azia. Later the descendants of Abamliwu revolted and were granted autonomy.

Azia has a town called Ukpor at the Northern end just across Urasi river; Ihiala and Okija lies at its Western end; Mbosi and Orsumoghu are situated at the Southern and the Eastern ends respectively. The landscape of Azia is bounded by valleys, hills and rivers which in local mythology is ascribed to be the handiwork of the goddess of land (ala), Alamatugiugele. In ancient times, during wars these boundaries served as a strong defense against external attacks and aggression.

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