History, Origin, Culture and Traditions of Alayi Town in Abia State

 
Alayi Igboji-Akuru is a semi-urban settlement located within the Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. The town comprises four principal clans: Akoliufu, Amankalu, Ugwueke, and Ezeukwu. Alayi is a part of the Umunnato collective, which includes Item-Okpi, Alayi Igboji-Akuru, and Igbere-Ebiri—all within the Bende jurisdiction.

Geographically, Alayi is positioned roughly 100 kilometers from Aba, a major commercial hub in southeastern Nigeria. It lies at an equal distance from Owerri Airport, approximately 32 km from the Abia State capital Umuahia, about 13 km from Uzuakoli, 11 km from Abiriba, and 24 km from Ohafia. The town is split into two major divisions: Akoliufu and Amankalu.

##Population Composition
The majority of Alayi’s residents are indigenous to Bende LGA, though the community is also home to individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including West African nationals from Ghana, Togo, and other neighboring countries who live and work within the area.

##Administrative Divisions and Bordering Communities
Alayi is subdivided into two electoral and administrative zones—Amankalu and Akoliufu—each consisting of five autonomous villages.

Akoliufu Villages: Amaeke, Amaoku/Amaukwu, Agboakoli, Umenyere, and Etitialayi

Amankalu Villages: Isiaku, Etiti Ama Elu, Amaokwe-elu, Amaigwu, and Okpufu/Amautazi

Alayi shares boundaries with several other communities: Item, Igbere, Umuhu, Akoli, Ozuitem, Isuikwuato, Ezeukwu, and Ugwueke.

##Traditional Leadership and Local Governance
The governance of Alayi is overseen by the traditional titleholder known as the Igboji of Alayi (Igbojiakuru), who is supported by a council of elders and other community leaders. A youth organization known as “Uke ?za Ama” plays a vital role in community sanitation and youth discipline, often stepping in to mentor or correct wayward children.

##Leadership History
In pre-colonial times, Alayi operated without a centralized monarchy, with the eldest man in the Umuirem clan—found in both Amaeke and Amankalu—serving as the community's highest authority.

Colonial influence led to the introduction of the "warrant chief" system, and Mazi Okereke Aka became the first recognized traditional leader under this new structure. The royal title of Igboji emerged from this arrangement. Notably, Amaeke retained the name Alayi in its royal identity and is the only part that remained non-autonomous.

The central assembly point, “Onu-mkpu,” symbolizing the origins of all nine villages, is located at Eke Akoli in Amaeke Alayi.

##Prominent Leaders:

Eze Ukeje Aka

Eze Okereke Aka (aka Okereke Nne-Ote)

Eze Onwukwe S. Onwukwe

Chief Okereke Elendu (interim council head)

Chief Edward Okorie (aka Okorie Emeri), succeeded Elendu and was father to Chief Chekwas Okorie


After Okereke Nne-Ote's death, his son Nwosu Okereke declined the royal succession, which then passed to his cousin Eze Onwukwe, who served until 2008. Following a selection by the Ndi Elendu royal family, Eze Ukeje Philip was coronated in December 2019 as the reigning Igbojiakuru.

There remains a longstanding debate concerning the autonomy status of Amaeke, which historically served as the administrative seat of Alayi and hence retained a distinct royal identity.


**[Title] [Traditional Ruler] [Autonomous Community] [Sub Section] [Palace] **
 **[Igbojiakuru of Alayi] [Eze Ukeje Philip] [Amaeke] [Amaeke] [Amaeke Alayi] ** **[Akoliukwu of Agboakoli] [Eze Linus U. Okoronkwo] [Agboakoli] [Akoliufu] [Agboakoli Alayi] ** 
**[Mgbidiukwu of Amakwu] [Eze Christopher Ukaoma] [Amakwu] [Akoliufu] [Amakwu Alayi] ** 
**[Ohaukwu of Amaukwu] [Eze Emmanuel I. Chukwu] [Amaukwu] [Akoliufu] [Amaukwu Amaoku Alayi] ** 
**[Enyere Ukwu of Umuenyere] [Eze (Pst) Ignatius Iheke Uche] [Umuenyere] [Akoliufu] [Amaozara, Umuenyere Alayi]**
** [Udoha of Etiti Alayi] [Eze Maurice Eke Okorie] [Etiti] [Akoliufu] [Umenyere Alayi]**
** [Aku Ukwu of Isiaku] [Eze (Barr.) Uche Elekwa] [Isiaku] [Amankalu] [Isiaku Amankalu Alayi] **
**[Udo of Isiama] [Eze J.K. Abah] [Isiama] [Amankalu] [Isiama Amankalu Alayi] **
**[Anorie of Umunkalu] [Eze Ejere Igwe Aka] [Umunkalu] [Amankalu] [Amachi Amankalu Alayi] ** 
**[Nkalukwu of Amankalu] [Eze David M. Ufere] [Amankalu] [Amankalu] [Amaururu Amankalu Alayi] ** 
**[Igwu of Amaigwu] [Late Eze Steven Ogbu Iheke] [Amaigwu] [Amankalu] [Amaigwu Amankalu Alayi] ** 


##Culture and Occupation
Alayi residents are renowned for their entrepreneurial ventures, especially in Aba and Lagos. Many engage in the second-hand clothing trade across West Africa, including in countries like Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. The town also boasts a growing population of professionals across fields such as law, medicine, and education. Christianity—particularly Catholicism—is the dominant religion.

The community’s cultural identity is deeply woven into its language, cuisine, dance, and festivals. Customs and traditions continue to guide conflict resolution and social order. The New Yam Festival, celebrated each August, is a major cultural event featuring traditional dances such as ?k?nk?, Ekpo, ?b?n?, and Akpanik?, typically performed by men. Other community-based dances include:

Ikoro

Aj?nkw? (Amaeke)

Edere (Umuenyere)

L?gh?l?gh? (Amaoku/Amaukwu)

?gwansi (Amakwu)

Enyom (Elugwu and Obuchie Amankalu)

Aka ?k?k? (Ezi Alayi)

Omume Any? (Amaigwu, Amankalu)

Oborri (Umuezike Amankalu)


##Unique Traditions: Ekete Festival
The Umuagbala Amautazi Amankalu Alayi sub-community celebrates a distinctive cultural rite known as Ekete. This involves the rhythmic beating of a special drum, spiritual performances, and dance, exclusively by men. Held two days after the New Yam is first eaten, the festival excludes women and children from participation. The community, bordering Nd??tai, is traditionally structured into kin groups (Ikwu): Ndiokereke, Nd??tai, and ?m?ach?m.

Elder men of the community once worshipped a local deity known as ?gbaegbu, whose veneration has waned due to the increasing influence of Christianity.