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

 
Umudioka is a town located in the Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, in the southeastern region of Nigeria. The town comprises 10 villages and shares borders with several neighboring towns, including Ogidi, Ogbunike, Umunya, Umunnachi, and Ifite Dunu.

List of Villages and It's Section:
Olioba Section: Akpom, Umuezechua, Umuajana, and Umuchigbo.

Adagbe Section: Uruagu, Umuezekwo, Uruowelle, Umueze, Ugwu, and Okpuru.

Umudioka is one of the six towns that form the ancient Dunukofia clan in Anambra State.

Communities in Umudioka:
The Umudioka people have a widespread presence across various regions of Igbo land. From their stronghold in Anambra State to parts of Imo, Abia, and even the southern regions of Nigeria such as Delta and Rivers States, Umudioka people are recognized for their cultural significance.

In the past, the Umudioka people were easily identifiable by the Ichi tribal mark, which was prevalent in many Igbo communities. Additionally, the Umudioka share a common ancestry, culture, and inheritance practices. Historically, the Umudioka people did not intermarry within their communities but viewed one another as part of an extended family. The term "Umu" (meaning children) of Dioka ancestry signifies their shared lineage.

The Dioka people, also known as Umudioka, have a rich history that dates back to their migration across Igbo land. One of their most distinctive cultural practices is the Igbu Ichi, or the facial tattoo marking.

The Igbu Ichi
The Ichi, or facial tattoo, is a unique cultural mark of the Umudioka people. This ritual involves drawing marks across the face, from the forehead down to the eyes, nose, and sides of the face. It was a rite of passage that identified a person as a "Nwa Dioka" (Son of Dioka) in ancient times.

During the Igbu Ichi ritual, the individual to be marked (the "Nwa Ichi") lies on a mat while a designated tattoo artist (the "Nwa Dioka") uses a sharp object called "Mmanka" to create the marks. The tattoo artist's wife feeds him dried fish to sustain him during the process, while the person being marked is held down to prevent resistance. As the tattoo is applied, the Nwa Dioka and fellow tattoo artists sing traditional songs to accompany the lengthy procedure. Afterward, a mixture of black powder and leaves is applied to help the face heal, and the individual is given yam and a cock as part of the ritual.

The Igbu Ichi tradition is deeply rooted in Umudioka Neni, in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. This ritual is still practiced today, albeit in a more modern form. It is showcased during the Nka Dioka cultural festival in Neni, held annually on December 31st. During this festival, Umudioka communities from Awka and other parts of Igbo land gather to celebrate their heritage with music, dance, and masquerades.

Other Umudioka Communities
Beyond Umudioka Neni, there are several other Umudioka settlements across Igbo land. Some of these include:

Umudioka Neni (Umudioka Ezenu)

Umudioka Awka (Ajajaja Awka)

Umudioka Orlu (Ije Osu)

Umudioka Awkuzu

Umudioka Okija

Umudioka Nzam

Umudioka Achalla

Umudioka Obote (Ngwaland in Abia State)

Umudioka Amiri


Although the majority of Umudioka people are located in the southeastern part of Nigeria, there are small communities in other regions, including Rivers State, Enugu State, Ebonyi State, Delta State, and even some areas in Benue and Kogi States. The Umudioka culture continues to thrive, and their stories and practices are shared widely across Nigeria and beyond.