History, Origin, Culture and Traditions of Nando Town in Anambra state

 
Nando is a town located within the Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. It lies at the junction of Awkuzu, Nteje, Aguleri, and Igbariam.

##Origin
Nando is the fourth and youngest son of Iguedo. The other sons are Ogbunike, Umuleri, and Awkuzu.

##Iguedo
The life and identity of Iguedo have been subjects of numerous interpretations, with her story being more elusive to historians than that of Eri. Nonetheless, there is general agreement that Iguedo is closely linked to the towns that form the Umu-Iguedo clan.

One widely accepted version suggests that Iguedo was a daughter of Eri. She is said to have had two wives. The first wife bore five children: Agulu (the founder of Aguleri), Nri Ifiakuanim, Nri Onugu (the founder of Igbariam), Ogbodudu (the founder of Amanuke), and a daughter, Iguedo, who gave birth to the founders of Ogbunike, Awkuzu, Umuleri, and Nando. The second wife, Oboli, had Onoju, who left the Anambra region and founded Igala land.

Another interpretation claims Iguedo was Eri’s daughter who had children without being married, but this view contradicts the oral traditions of the Iguedo clans, which emphasize paternal lineage as part of their cultural norms.

A third theory suggests Iguedo originated from Agukwu or Onitsha. This perspective may explain her relationship with the people of Nri or Onitsha, as Iguedo is said to be highly respected among some Onitsha people, with the "olili-nne-Iguedo" celebration being known in the community.

According to oral traditions, Iguedo's relationships with multiple men led to the birth of the founders of several towns within the Umu-Iguedo clan. Her first marriage resulted in Ogbunike and Awkuzu, her second to Okebo of Eddah produced Umuleri, and her final marriage to Nnamovo from Onitsha gave rise to Nando. Iguedo passed away and was buried in Nando, the land founded by her son.

Today, towns such as Ogbunike, Nando, Awkuzu, and Umuleri are recognized as part of the Umuigwedo clan.

##Her Death
After a prolonged illness, Iguedo passed away in Nando. The Umu-Iguedo clans (Ogbunike, Awkuzu, Umuleri) were invited to assist with burial arrangements, and a message was sent to the other children of Nnammeyi (Nneyi Umuleri). A dispute arose over where to bury her body. Ogbunike, as the eldest of the Iguedo descendants, wanted to bury her in Ogbunike, but Nando opposed this, arguing that they had cared for her during her old age. Meanwhile, Umuleri secretly decided among themselves to take her head and bring it back to their town, where they buried it in the Nneyi Umuleri shrine in present-day Mmanoma Nneyi Umuleri. The body of Iguedo was eventually laid to rest in Ubaruisioye, Nando.

To commemorate her, the traditional ceremonies of Iguaro and "Oriri nne Iguedo" are still celebrated annually in Nneyi Umuleri and Nando.

##Villages
Nando consists of eight villages: 

Agbudu

Akamanato

Abube-Agu

Abube-Uno

Isinyi

Ikem

Ubarunisioye

Umuawo


##Traditional Leadership
Initially, Nando was governed by an Igwe from Agbudu village, the eldest of the eight villages. However, after Nando became an independent community, conflicts arose between Ikem and Abube-Agu over who would produce the next Igwe. Despite these tensions, Igwe Odibefa from Agbudu Nando is still widely recognized as the reigning Igwe of Nando.

##Markets
Nando has a large central market known as Nkwo Market, located at the intersection of Agbudu, Ubarunisioye, Ikem, and Abube-Uno. Additionally, each village has its own smaller markets, such as the Afor Market in Ikem, Eke Market in Abube-Agu, and Eke Market in Ubarunisioye.

##Festivities
The people of Nando celebrate a special festival known as Onwa Nge, which takes place in May. During this time, various masquerades perform and showcase their colorful attire to entertain the community.

##Notable People

HRH Igwe Nnalue Nnaba Aghaeze

Chief Boniface Nnaba

HRH Igwe Francis Ibi Mmadu Emesim Aghaeze

Professor Kenneth Ofokansi, Professor of Biopharmaceutics and former Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Nigeria

Chief John Iwuno (Igwe Council)

Chief Ozodigbo Akwobi, the Okpalaeze Nando

Chief Pius Anwobu, the Okpala Ezue of Nando