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

 
According to oral accounts, Aguleri traces its roots to a man named Eri, who is believed to have arrived around 4500 BC. Eri settled along the riverbank, establishing an altar of onyx at the confluence of the Ezu and Omabala rivers. Due to frequent flooding, he moved inland to Eri-aka near the Odanduli stream, and later to the location where he founded Obu Uga (Obu-Gad).

Eri had several children: Agulu (Aguleri), Attah, Oba, Menri, and Adamgbo (Iguedo, his only daughter). They all lived together in Aguleri until Eri's death, after which they dispersed to form separate kingdoms. Attah, the second son, founded the Igala kingdom, Oba established the Benin kingdom, and Menri went on to establish the Nri kingdom. Agulu-eri (Aguleri), the eldest son, remained in Aguleri, inheriting his father’s land and expanding the kingdom. Aguleri had three wives: Ada, Omali, and Eke, and fathered four sons: Ivite, Igboezunu, Enugwu, and Eziagulu.

Ada, the first wife, initially did not have children, so Agulu married Omali, who bore him Ivite, the first son. Later, Ada gave birth to Igboezunu (the second son). Agulu then married his third wife, Eke, with whom he had two more sons: Enugwu and Eziagulu. These three wives formed the Akwukwonato.

##Villages
Aguleri is divided into three primary quarters: Igboezunu, Ivite, and Enugwu na Eziagulu (Ugwu na Adegbe), with families spread across both Aguleri Uno and Aguleri Otu.

In Igbo customs, inheritance follows the order of birth, with the firstborn having the first choice of property. The villages in Aguleri include: Homeland (Enuobodo), Igboezunu-otu, Ivite-otu, Eziagulu-otu, Enugu-otu, and Aguleri-otu, situated in the lower part of the Omambala River. New settlements, such as Ndi-Uka (Mbito), belong to Egbeagu village in Eziagulu Aguleri, where early Roman Catholic missionaries first settled before spreading the gospel further inland. Today, Amaeze (Otuocha) serves as the urban center of Aguleri.

The fertile soil of Aguleri supports the cultivation of a wide range of food crops, contributing to its role as a key agricultural hub within Anambra State.

##Culture and Festivals
Aguleri, a historically important town, is home to numerous cultural events and historical landmarks such as Agbanabo Ezu na Omabala, Ajana Ukwu, Ugwu Ogodo, and Ovilivo sacred spring water. Key festivals celebrated in Aguleri include the Alo Mmuo (New Yam Festival, also called Ivejioku festival), Igba Ada festival, and the Ovalla festival, with active participation from the entire community and performances by various masquerades. The Ovalla festival, especially, is highly revered and includes a wide range of activities. Another significant festival is Olili Obibia Eri, celebrated in the seventh native month in honor of Eri, the father of Aguleri and the Igbo people. Additional festivals like Uta Oba (celebrated by titled men), Akwali, Oluta, and Nzideana mark the end of the flood season and the start of the new farming season.

In an average Aguleri home, it is customary to have kola nuts, garden eggs, and peanut butter available for visitors. Offering kola nuts to guests is a ritual that symbolizes a warm welcome and is accompanied by prayers and blessings for both the visitor and the host. This custom is part of traditional ceremonies in Aguleri.

The Ovala festival is a royal celebration held on the first Eke market day of the year, drawing dignitaries from various backgrounds, including neighboring village leaders who visit to pay their respects to the Igwe (traditional ruler) of Aguleri.

##Infrastructure
Aguleri residents are responsible for constructing and maintaining most of the town's public infrastructure, including facilities such as Ivite Aguleri Primary Health Care, Aguleri Town Hall, St. Joseph Memorial High School, Justice Chinwuba Memorial Secondary School, Willie Obiano Secondary School, Col. Mike Attah Secondary School, Postal Agency, Aguleri Community Bank, Nkwo Igboezunu Market, Eke UgwunaAdagbe Market, Access Bank, Odene Aguleri Head Bridge, Aguleri High Court, and more. Michael Tansi Memorial Secondary School is administered by the Onitsha Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church.

##Notable People
Notable individuals from Aguleri include:

Willie Obiano, former Governor of Anambra State

Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, a Nigerian priest who became a Trappist monk in England

Eze Chukwuemeka Ezeora Eri, the ruler of the Ezeora dynasty, holder of the Ovo Eri and throne of Eri at Obu-Ga

Benjamin Chinedu Obidigwe, former member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria