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

 
Amaoba is a traditional settlement situated in the Oboro region of Ikwuano Local Government Area in Abia State, Nigeria. It comprises two main self-governing sister communities: Amaoba Ime and Amaoba Ikputu. Together with Abaa Ukwu, these form the trio of autonomous villages collectively known as Amaoba. The town lies roughly 13 kilometers from Umuahia, the capital city of the state.

##Origins and Ancestry
According to oral history passed down through local elders, the roots of Amaoba trace back to a man named Odugbo Ajonu. Following a serious dispute with another elder named Mazi Odugbo in the Alayi area near Uzuakoli, Ajonu left the region with his younger brother, Mazi Idima. While Idima found a new home in present-day Abam, Ajonu journeyed into what is now known as Oboro territory.

Ajonu, known for his fearless nature and relentless warfare—even against kin—was exiled from Alayi. Upon settling in Oboroland, he fathered a son whom he named Eme Aba, while preparing for further military exploits. This lineage gave rise to the people now called Amaoba. With the same wife, he had a second son, Akputu—who became the progenitor of what is now known as Ikputu.

Due to his aggressive ways, neighboring communities grew wary of Ajonu, eventually forcing him to relocate to another uninhabited land. There, he had another son, Ututu, who earned the nickname "Oru"—a name that later inspired the present-day community of Ndioru.

Akputu had three male descendants: Ukala (also called Azukala), Etiti (also known as Etiti Ulo), and Enwe (ancestor of the Umu Enwe clan). The community observes its traditional market on Orie Uku, a day also dedicated to overseeing the spiritual affairs tied to the local deity known as Ibeku.

##Cultural Legacy and Religious Sites
One of Amaoba's significant historical landmarks is the war deity shrine named Agbala, located in Amaoba Ime. This shrine was taken as a symbol of victory following a major conflict between Amaoba and its kin against Umuchichi. After Umuchichi’s defeat, Agbala became part of Amaoba’s cultural heritage.

Historically, all of Oboro lived in an area called Olori, a settlement that lacked access to clean water. During this era, Eme Aba fathered six children: Umo, Ulu, and Ohia with one wife; and Otugh, Okele, and Ika with a second. Today, Ndaeri and Umuohia are recognized as sub-lineages under the Umu Umo family.

The name "Ikputu" originates from the term "Akpautu," meaning someone who disregards collective advice. Ikputu and Amaoba Ime share the same maternal lineage, although Ikputu was the first to be forced out of Olori due to a conflict involving a missing cow—an issue mirrored in a later incident involving Amaoba Ime.

Akputu’s sons—Ukala, Etiti, and Enwe—maintained their father’s legacy. They are known for safeguarding Amaoba’s principal spiritual figure, the deity called Ikenga.

Internal Structure: Villages within Amaoba

Amaoba Ikputu includes:

Azukala

Etiti Ulo

Umu Enwe


Amaoba Ime includes:

Umu Umo

Ndi Ulu

Umuohia

Umu Ikaa

Umu Oshotugh

Umu Okele


Together, the two communities encompass a total of nine distinct sub-villages.