History, Origin, Culture and Traditions of Abatete town in Anambra state

 
Abatete is a town located in Anambra State, Nigeria, within the Idemili North Local Government Area. It shares borders with the towns of Uke, Ogidi, Abacha, Oraukwu, Alor, Ideani, Eziowelle, and Umuoji. Abatete is made up of four villages: Nsukwu, Agbaja, Ogbu, and Odida. The people of Abatete are part of the Igbo-speaking population in Eastern Nigeria, and like most Igbo communities, they possess a rich cultural heritage.

The ancestral origin of Abatete is linked to Okolie Otie, who is considered the founding father of Abatete, Umuoji, and Nkpor. However, his exact origin remains uncertain. Okolie Otie had three sons: Edeogu, Ora, and Ideke. His eldest son, Edeogu, married Mgboko Eke, and together they had nine sons: Nsukwu, Agbaja, Isiuzo, Akwa, Azuogwa, Mputu, Odida, Ogbu, and Umuogu.

Ora, the second son, had a son named Oji, who later named his own son after his grandfather. The descendants of Oji became known as the Umuoji people. The first village in Umuoji is called Eziora, reflecting their grandfather’s name. Ideke’s descendants are known as Nkpor. Edeogu, the father of Abatete, proudly referred to his nine sons as “Igwulube-Otie,” meaning the children of Otie.

Over time, the name “Mbateghete” was gradually corrupted into "Abateghete" and finally became “Abatete” during British colonial rule. Of Edeogu’s nine sons, only four survived to form the four main quarters of Abatete: Nsukwu, Agbaja, Odida, and Ogbu. Isiuzo, a clan within Abatete, had a quarter, but due to constant conflicts, they were eventually expelled from the town.

##British Colonial Encounters
In 1904, the British administration, under the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria based in Onitsha, launched a Gun-Breaking Expedition (Otiji Egbe) to Abatete as part of establishing imperial rule. British surrogates posing as peacemakers were deployed throughout Abatete, initially requesting the natives' assistance in subduing a neighboring community. They asked every gun owner to gather at the market square with their firearms. Many locals complied, but what followed shocked the town. The soldiers, equipped with superior weaponry, opened fire and burned down market stalls and shrines. The Abatete people were forced to surrender, and their guns were confiscated and destroyed. The destruction marked the loss of Abatete’s military pride and power.

##The Warrant Chief Era
In 1905, the District Officer in charge of Onitsha instructed the four quarters of Abatete to select their Warrant Chiefs. Agbaja chose Eze Omaliko-Atulee Ekusa of Ezimuku, but Ogbuefi Omenyi Anaekwe objected, stating that the Omaliko deity would be displeased by the position. His argument prevailed, and Ogbuefi Anaekwe was chosen as Warrant Chief. Chief Onwadiebo Nebuwa Ezekwe, the grandson of Ebube Ogu, the progenitor of the Nri lineage in Nsukwu, was appointed as Warrant Chief of Nsukwu. Chief Eze-Elisiaku Anyaegbu was selected as the Warrant Chief of Odida, while the people of Ogbu, traumatized by the Otiji Egbe expedition, resisted and declined to appoint a chief. Instead, Chief Uduezue Omaliko was appointed as the Warrant Chief by default.

In 1908, the first church and school in Abatete was built at Agbaja by Catholic Priest Rev. Father Ward. Chief Anaekwe facilitated the project’s approval from the other Warrant Chiefs, instituting a system that allowed 50 boys from each of Abatete’s four quarters to attend the school. Penalties for tardiness were harsh, with a fine of one fowl for each absence. However, other Warrant Chiefs from Nsukwu, Odida, and Ogbu were displeased by the fines, especially since they were coming from their districts due to the distance to the school. In retaliation, the Warrant Chiefs invited the Church Missionary Society (C.M.S.) to build churches and schools in their quarters. Chief Onwadiebo Ezekwe funded the construction of Christ Church in Olile-Nsukwu in 1914, and the Warrant Chiefs from Odida and Ogbu built St. John’s Church in Ogbu-Ikwele. The two churches later merged in 1930 to form the Holy Trinity Church at Afor-Agu.

##Religious and Educational Developments
In the early 20th century, Abatete saw further expansion in education and religion. In 1937, Holy Trinity School was established at Afor-Agu, and St. Dominic’s Church and School were built in Agbaja in 1929, branching out to Ekeagu. Sir P. E. Chukwura, a prominent philanthropist, built New Africa School (later renamed Chukwura Primary School), which was commissioned in 1945. The Holy Rosary Convent School, established in 1948, focused on promoting female education, and Notre Dame High School, founded as Lugard Memorial High School, was built by Chiefs T. O. Morah and S. Mbakwe of Abacha in 1958.

Girls’ Secondary School was built in 1979 by the Abatete Social Club of Nigeria. Despite the positive impact of these schools, religious intolerance and zealotry caused tension in the community, particularly between the Anglican and Catholic factions. This division was evident in several matters, such as Igwe selection and the commissioning of local projects.

##Political Struggles and Igwe Selection
In 1959, the Eastern Region Government asked towns to nominate their community heads. Chief Peter Aroh Eze-Onyeka was selected as the Igwe designate, but because he was of Anglican faith, many Catholic supporters backed Chief Onunkwo Ezenwayo for the position. This led to a division within the town, with two rival Igwe factions and fierce political rivalry. The conflict continued until 1963, when a resolution was reached at Ekeagu.

In 1976, the Anambra State government required every town to nominate a recognized chief. Nsukwu, Odida, and Ogbu nominated Chief P. U. Mkpume, while other candidates also submitted their nominations. After an inquiry by Justice Agbakoba’s Commission, Chief Mkpume was recognized as the Igwe of Abatete. On June 9, 1990, Chief Patrick Ugochukwu Mkpume was formally installed as Igwe Edeogu I of Abatete.

This rich and tumultuous history of Abatete highlights the town’s cultural, religious, and political evolution, and its enduring legacy within the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.