User:Akadonyepc/sandbox

'''SHORT HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF MBANO

The geographical area known and called Mbano today comprises two Local Government Councils: Isiala Mbano and Ehime Mbano. They are among the 27 Local Governments of Imo State Nigeria. The name “MBANO” may not have existed before 1900. The area was not referred to by any such name before colonialism. Nevertheless, S.A. Ike narrates that, “the area was originally known as ‘MBASAA’ (Meaning seven clans) Comprising, Agbaja, Ehime, Isu, Mbama, Obowo, Osu and Ugiri. All of these clans were at the time under Umuduru Native Court. The name ‘MBANO’ was coined mid- way during the British administration of Umuduru Native Court (U.N.C.), when it was decided that a separate Native Court be established for the other clans such as Obowo, Onicha Uboma, Isu, Agbaja and their neighbours, which were previously served by the Umuduru Native Court. After the exclusion of these towns from Umuduru Native Court jurisdiction in the 1920s, the Court had only four clans to serve viz; Osu, Ehime, Ugiri and Mbama. Therefore, during the next sitting of the Court at Umuduru, the name “MBANO”, (Meaning ‘Four Clans’) naturally emerged and soon began to be commonly employed by the Warrant Chiefs in reference to the Court’s jurisdiction. Umuduru Native Court was said to have been carved out in 1908. It was long after the British had established their rule that the name began to be more pronounced. The name was said to have gained wider and firmer recognition in the 1920’s when each of the four clans previously under Umuduru Native Court had their own Courts. Hence, the name “MBANO” was extensively used, though the first person to use the name is not known. The fact remains that the name ‘MBANO’ had appeared extensively in British records before it was recognized as Mbano Federated Native Authority in 1945. Old Mbano, from available records, was carved out for easy administration by the British and most probably, because the people are closely related by history. By: PC Akadonye Esq. LLB Hons University of Leicester United Kingdom

Reference: Unpublished Theses Written by: Mbalisi, Chinedu Nnaemeka; Master of Arts (M.A) In History and International Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 1.	 Change and continuity in isiala mbano, an igbo society, 1906-2007

2.	 “Post-Civil War Reconstruction in Isiala Mbano, 1970- 1985”, B.A. Theses Department of History and International Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 2004.