Obosi
| Obosi | |
|---|---|
 Obosi
|
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| Coordinates: 6°7′N 6°50′E / 6.117°N 6.833°E | |
| Country |
 Nigeria
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| State | Anambra State |
Obosi is a town in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria. A hotly contested site during the Nigerian Civil War, the town of about 200,000 people is one of the most densely populated in West Africa.
Presently Obosi Ukwala is situated in a hilly area, bordered by Onitsha to the North-west, Nkpor to the North-east and Oba to the south-east, all part of the old Idemili local government area, with the exception of Onitsha.
Oral history shows that Obosi people originated from Arochukwu via Ojoto. Some ancient people of Arochukwu migrated into Oze, Ora-Eshi, and Nri then found Ojoto, Ihiala and Alo. Some Ojoto people that left founded Obosi, Nnewi-Umudim, and Ibuzo and Umuru-Ukpo. The founder of Obosi was a hunter named Adike from Ojoto and the word "Obosi" came from "Mbosisi" meaning "falling apart of soil" (erosion prone soil). The name Mbosisi was given to the land by Adike because of the difficulties he encountered with in building his house due to the easily eroded soil.
Adike, the founder of Obosi, was the son of Okpala, who had other sons who permanently resided in Ojoto. For this relationship he is still known as and referred to as Adike-Okpala. The first son of Adike was also named Okpala (First Son) . Listed below is the genealogy of Adike; Okpala-Adike (meaning Adike first son), Ezeani and Okpo are the sons of Adike. Ota (Arrow) is the first son of Okpala Adike. Today the village Okpuno-umuota and Umuota are home to the descendants of Ota. umuota meaning ' Children of ota'. Ota gave birth to ' Shime '. The first son of Shime was named ' Agu' and the second named Okwasala. today both extended families home villages are Okpuno -umuota and umuota. Agu was later crowned the First King of Obosi as Eze Agu 1, today the children of Agu are known as Umuezeagu royal dynasty. The female of this lines are called ' Abadagu' (meaning the Lion's Skin ). The other Villages of obosi also have a distinct title differentiating the royal house and othe lines from another to avoid inter-marriages. Umuota village (Abadagu and Onowu) in addition to Adike Children, another family (named Chima), came from the western side of the river Niger to settle with the royal line in umuota village. Umuezechima are not descendants of the royal dynasty but are settled in Umuota. Ire village ( Nwalor, Akpaka, Onwelego, Ati onu) Ugamuma village ( Akudenu, Asiliugo, Nweshi) Mmakwm and Uruowulu ( Oji Azu, )
The history Ito-ogbo in Obosi started about 400 AD. It is a unique event in which 80- to 82-year-old citizens are honored by their families, friends, well-wishers and the whole village, and is held every three years. The Ito-ogbo is a celebration of life and death for the beneficiaries long life, and also a preview of their funeral, which gives them the right to enjoy with everyone. On the day of the occasion, they all dress in their best traditional outfits and congregate in the town square, called "Afor-Adike", where the traditional rites and celebration are held, with the king in attendance. After the traditional rites are completed, males are given the title of "Ogbueshi", with a red cap, and the ladies "Ogbueshi-Nwanyi", also with a red scarf, and all the celebrants go home and feast, drink, dance and have a merry time with friends and family.
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