Okpogho
Okpogho | |
|---|---|
Indigenous Peoples Community | |
| Nickname: Diji Onwa-Náka | |
  Okpogho Location within Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 6°26′0″N 7°16′0″E / 6.43333°N 7.26667°E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| South-east region] | Enugu State |
| Government | |
| • Town Union President | Chief (Mr.) Rapheal Adinde |
| • Youth President | Mr. Sylvester Jedeofor Enezu |
| Elevation | 166 m (545 ft) |
| Population (2015) | |
• Total | 342,800 |
| Time zone | WAT |
| Website | https://okpogho.org/ |
Okpogho is one of the most ancient cities in Africa located in the modern Enugu State of Nigeria. Okpogho is well known for her distinguished strides in iron smelting which ended the world's trade by barter system. The originality of Okpogho could be traced from earlier ancestor called Ezeanyanwu a great worrior, farmer and healer (herbalist). The villages (now referred to as 'aka-nése' meaning five hands) that make up the Okpogho kingdom are
- Imezi Okpogho
- Ngbuta Okpogho
- Ukwuagba Okpogho
- Okube Okpogho
- Mbanito Okpogho.
The Kingdom's plenipotentiary is Lord Freedom Force (Okpogho 1 of Okpogho).[1] Vested with Irrevocable Executive Authority by the Traditional Ruler Chief Custodian of Okpogho Culture, and the Supreme Advisory Council of Elders. Read also: Okpogho Diji: The Forgotten Warriors of Ogbodume-Ofilofi settlement - A Tale of Resilience and Legacy.
The people of Okpogho settled in distinct regions of a place which is now referred to as Ezeagu, a local government area in Enugu state.
Population
The last known population of Okppgho was 342,800 (2015) which is about 0.188% of the Nigeria population.[2][3] If population growth rate would be same as in period 1991-2015 (+5.05%/year), Okpogho population in 2021 would be: 460 636*.
Demographics
Okpogho is generally populated by the Igbo people.
Infrastructure
Education
Okpogho focuses on early child education. The community provides resources such as transportation means to convey pupils to school as well as structures.
Ona Okpogho (OnaDoo or Ona Okpogho)
In the ancient times, the Manilla was branded by the colonial masters. Copper and Steel bracelets and leg bands were the principal 'money' and they were usually worn by women to display their husband's wealth. Early Portuguese traders thus found a preexisting and very convenient willingness to accept unlimited numbers of these 'bracelets'.
A report by the British Consul of Fernando Po in 1856 listed five different patterns of manillas in use in Nigeria. The Antony Manilla was good in all interior markets; the Congo Simgolo or 'bottle-necked' was good only at Opungo market; the Onadoo was best for Old Calabar, Igbo country between Bonny New Kalabari and the kingdom of Okrika; the Finniman Fawfinna was passable in Juju Town and Qua Market, but only half the worth of the Antony; and the Cutta Antony was valued by the people at Umballa.
The Onadoo was largely made of steel by the experienced Okpogho Blacksmiths who then shipped them to Calabar. Calabar was the chief city of the ancient Eastern Nigerian coastal kingdom of that name. The word and the name Okpogho was indigenous to the Okpogho people, the adoption of Okpogho as an Efik word for money was related to the use of the Ona-Okpogho instead of their "okụk" or "ọkVk" in trades. The word "okpoko" is synonymous with 'money' or 'brass' in several West African languages like Calabar, Efik, Ibibio, Ohafia and the Bonny New Kalabari and the kingdom of Okrika.
The universal name for manillas, which are an ancient form of money or barter coinage, is Okpoho or Okpo[g]ho. Manillas originated at Calabar but not from Calabar and 'okpoko', or 'okpoho' (only misspelt for convenience) is the term for money or brass spoken at all the trade borders and river-banks where trades are executed.
Religion and culture
Religion and Culture in Okpogho Community
The people of Okpogho, like many other communities in South-Eastern Nigeria, are predominantly Christians. Christianity is the most widely practiced religion and plays a central role in the social, cultural, and spiritual life of the community.
The Roman Catholic Church is the most dominant Christian denomination in Okpogho, although other Christian churches are also well represented.
Alongside Christianity, African Traditional Religion (Traditionalism) continues to be actively practiced by many people in the community. Traditional beliefs, customs, rituals, and ancestral practices remain an important part of Okpogho's cultural heritage and identity like Odo cult, Okom, ifa-jioku, Akani, etc. In some cases, these traditional practices exist alongside Christian beliefs, reflecting the community's rich cultural and religious diversity.
The people of Okpogho are generally known for religious tolerance, with followers of different faiths coexisting peacefully while contributing to the development and unity of the community.
Okpogho Youth General Assembly (OYGA)
Okpogho Youth General Assembly - (OYGA) was formed following an uprising within the Okpogho community, the youth in demonstration poor infrastructure and to seek government attention aimed at uniting all able-bodied youth in the community formed a strong YOUTH ORGANIZATION under the leadership of Mr. Sylvester Enezu and Mr. Tochukwu Ucheama.
On 21 August 2021, The Okpogho Youths General Association (OYGA) under the able leadership of Mr. Sylvester Enezu successfully galvanized the Community youths from all over the country and in diaspora for the epoch making maiden meeting held in Okpogho Mbanito - the ancestral land and original settlement of the Okpogho Kingdom comprising the five Communities - Imezi Okpogho, Ukwuagba Okpogho, Okube Okpogho, Ngbuta Okpogho and Mbanito Okpogho. The new youth organ (OYGA) vowed to change the narrative of sitting and waiting for the government. The 21st August 2021 meeting reviewed the Agricultural endowment and potentials that have been abandoned, her rich minerals, and the underdeveloped state of her roads as well as other basic amenities. On this stance, a Clarion call was made to for development funds, and over 2 million Naira was instantly raised and donations to continue even after the meeting.
The Odo Traditional Society
The Odo masquerade society is an ancient culture practiced by the people of Opkogho from the past to the present. Odo was pertinent to the people of Okpogho but is also practiced by most communities within the Udi and Ezeagu area. The Odo festival provides a heritage that sees every men and women of Okpogho unite under the umbrella of a rich culture during which the dead are believed to walk among the living, interceding and reuniting temporarily with their families. The initiation into the cult would see every young male of Okpogho undergo three(3) initiation stages namely:
- "Iba N'uno" - Presentation to the clan, Child naming ceremony.
- "Ifu N'Ama" - Presentation to the community, and first introductory sacrifice to the Odo society.
- "Ite` Odo" - Joining the Odo cult proper which is often performed in two sessions, name-masked as "Igbu Awo"
Most of the activities of the Odo society requires secrecy.
OKOM FESTIVAL OF OKPOGHO KINGDOM
The Okom Festival is one of the most prestigious and celebrated cultural festivals in Okpogho Kingdom, Enugu State, Nigeria. It is a unique festival that showcases the prosperity, hospitality, cultural heritage, and communal spirit of the people of Okpogho.
Traditionally regarded as a festival of wealth and thanksgiving, the Okom Festival provides an opportunity for families, kindreds, and individuals to publicly express gratitude for their blessings, achievements, and successful harvests. It is a period when the people of Okpogho proudly demonstrate the fruits of their hard work and God's blessings upon their lives.
During the festival, sons and daughters of Okpogho, including those living in different towns, cities, and countries, return home to celebrate with their families and community. Residents also invite friends, relatives, in-laws, and well-wishers from neighboring communities and beyond to partake in the festivities.
The celebration is characterized by colorful cultural displays, traditional music, and energetic dance performances by various age grades and cultural groups. These performances highlight the rich traditions and cultural identity of the Okpogho people.
A major attraction of the festival is the abundance of food and drinks. Guests are treated to a wide variety of African delicacies, including pounded yam, fufu, soups, roasted meat, local dishes, and other traditional cuisines. Palm wine, local brews, and other beverages flow freely as people eat, drink, and celebrate together in an atmosphere of joy and unity.
Beyond entertainment, the Okom Festival serves as a platform for strengthening family bonds, fostering community development, promoting peace and unity, and preserving the cultural values of Okpogho Kingdom for future generations.
The festival stands as a symbol of the industrious nature, generosity, and cultural pride of the people of Okpogho, making it one of the most significant and anticipated annual events in the community.
References
- ↑ FORCE, Freedom. "Freedom FORCE (@_FreedomForce) on X". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2026-08-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Nigeria National Bureau of Statistics". Retrieved 2020-01-17.
- ↑ "Okpogho · Population". population.city. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
External links
State capital: Enugu | ||
| Local government areas |  | |
