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Isuokoma History

 * AN OVERVIEW OF ISUOKOMA*

Isuokoma is a clan in Onicha LGA, Ebonyi state, Southeastern part of Nigeria. It is the headquarters of Onicha LGA and arguably, the largest voting population in Ebonyi state. The community shares borders with Nara Unateze in Enugu state, Ishielu LGA, Uburu in Ohaozara LGA Ebonyi state. Isu is one of the communities that produce rice, cassava, yam, palm oil and other agricultural produce in large quantities.

Isuokoma is a peaceful land to live. The indigens are very friendly and hospitable. One of the new federal colleges of education has been approved to be located in Isuokoma. The seven villages that make up Isuokoma are, Agbabor, Isuachara, Mgbanaeze, Amanator,  Umuniko, Mgbanaukwu and Obeagu. The current national president of Isuokoma is *Dr Ifeanyi Orji*.

Historically, Isu is believed to have been founded by *Ezentumoke ugota*; A brave hunter. According to oral narratives, Ezentumoke went on a hunting expedition to the present day Isuokoma with his younger brother *Adu*, from ISUIKWUATO which is in  present day  Abia state; their traditional home. They had a stint at the present day *Oshiri* before they moved farther in search of a better abode. They however settled at two big Agba trees (Agbaebor). His younger brother Adu moved forward to a present day Uburu(Ebe-Uru) and decided to settle there because he believed he caught better games there, hence he called the place EBE URU (favorable spot).
 * ORIGIN*

Ezentumoke lived at the Two Agba tree (Agba ebor) before he left for his native home (Isukwuato) to bring his pregnant wife UGBANEZE. On their way back, they rested at Bamboo trees (Ukwuachara) in present day ISUACHARA, and later moved on to Agbaebor where the wife delivered her first Baby boy and named him after the Two Trees that provided them with shelter( AGBAEBOR). Also, he named his second child after the Place they rested Ukwuachara (Isuachara). His subsequent children were named after other villages that make up Isuokoma.

The patriarchs of the seven villages in Isu are: Agbabor..... *Nwoke Eze* Isuachara.... *Aga Nwaene* Mgbaneze.... *Nwaogo Ekpaite* Amanator..... *Igboke Eze* Umuniko.... *Ugwuemene Ekuma* Mgbanaukwu.... *Aniezi Njoku* Obeagu.... *Ntum Anoke*

According to oral history, Ezentumoke; the ancestral father of Isuokoma had ten children. Communal crisis however, forced three of his children, viz Ezekpoloke, Amata and Ufuojo out of the community to an unknown destinations.The name; Isuokoma was derived from Isuikwuato in Abia state, which was the native home of Ezentumoke before he migrated to a place now known as Isuokoma.

For administrative convenience, Isuokoma was divided into two autonomous communities. *Isu autonomous* community and *Anioma autonomous* community. Agbabor, Umuniko and Obeagu are clustered into Isu Autonomous, while Isuachara, Amanator,Mgbanaukwu, and Mgbanaeze are under Anioma Autonomous. Before the delimitation, *HRH late Chief Eze Ude-umanta* was the first traditional ruler of Isuokoma Autonomous community. Subsequently, after Anioma was carved out, *HRH late Chief Amos Ukpa (Ezentum I)* became the traditional ruler of Isu Autonomous. In Anioma Autonomous, the first traditional ruler was *HRH late Eze Michael Orji Anoke,* followed by the late Eze-elect; *Chief Idika Ogbu.* The current traditional ruler of Isuokoma autonomous community is *HRH Chief Ambrose Okorie Ogbu (JP) the Ezentum II.*


 * Isuokoma tradition/culture*

Isu people abhor incest,,murder, witchcraft and other *social vices*. There are ponds, streams, lakes, spring waters etc in Isuokoma. Isu has many traditional musical/dance groups such as Ikpa, Ubo, Abiaji, Okekwe, Ode, Okanga, Odabara, Ogene etc; different traditional titles such as Ozo, Onyibe, Okaji etc.

They also have special foods such as eecha, Abacha, ekidi, utara egburu, ede, nwiwina, nwimiriti, nvona etc (Achi, okobo, opoto, akparata, ukpo, ekpiri, uturukpa, uchakuru, ewa etc soups). Traditional ceremonies in the community are New yam festival, oku afa, afia unwu, iri ani/aju, igu ogbo, ohunuji, ngbanwata, ichi ozo etc.

Marriage requirements in Isuokoma is relatively cheap; a budget of #200,000 can take care of the items in the marriage list (If one wants to organize an elaborate marriage ceremony, other expenses will come in). Isuokoma ladies make good wives, and their men are good husband materials too.

Isuokoma people are predominantly Christians, with a handful of traditionalists. The people are peace-loving, hospitable and friendly to visitors. The community has many prominent men and women who have distinguished themselves in politics, business, academics, religion, entertainment industry, humanitarian services etc. There are no financial institutions *(banks)* in Isu yet. *Nkwoagu Isu* is the major market in the community. Agbabor remains the central place of meeting; where critical decisions about the community are taken.

This information about Isuokoma was a product of research conducted by *Comr Jeremiah Okorie*. The history is however not comprehensive yet.

Comr Jeremiah Okorie