The Origin OfOraifite People
The story of the origin, migration and settlement of the people who make up the present four quarters (villages) of Oraifite, namely, Ezumeri, Unodu, IrefiIfite in the order of seniority, is perhaps certain to the history of Oraifite. Legend has it that Ikenga was the father of Agbaja, who probably migrated from Abatete. The advocates of the Agbaja-Abatete origin of Ikenga hold that he was the father of the founders of Nnewi, Ichiand Oraifitecommunities.Hence the three communities were commonly referred to as theAgbaja group of communities. There were certain cultural relationships existing between the threecommunities. In the three communities, for example, they celebrate the Igu-aro, Ilo-mmuo, and Afia-olu festivals together. They also have similar dancing groups and masquerades, for instance, the Odogwu, Okpoka and Ozoebunamasquerades. Their commonality extends to the worship of a powerful goddes, Edo, whose shrine existed in Nnewi, ichi and Oraifite. Hence, Nnewi, Ichiand Oraifite are referred to as Anaedo, the land of the people of thegoddess, Edo. The social and cultural relationships existing between these communities seem to confirm this. Moreover, the three communities observed the Ikwu-arufestival in honor of the Edogoddess. They also observe the Afia-Oluand Ilo-mmuo festivalstogether.
The Key Events
The first chiefdom would seem to have been established under the reign of Mmaku. According to tradition, Mmaku's wifewas Ifenweugwu. She had a soncalled Ikenga. At Mmaku’s death, Ikenga succeeded him, and married a lady called Ifite. This lady had four children, namely, Nnewulu(Nnewi), Isu, Oraifite and Ichi.
Ikenga at his death was succeeded by Nnewulu(Nnewi), who married Ifediokpu. His sons were Okpala, Digbo, EzeEkweludionwu, Nnagha, Uru and Eke. It was during the reign of Nnewulu(Nnewi), that Isu, Oraifite and 1chi left Nnewulu(Nnewi), owing to land scarcity and migrated to the areas now named after them. There is no other information found about Isu. Isu could have been a female. More inquiries are on the way.
Oraifite’s wife was unknown at the time of this essay. His sons were Ezumeri, Odu(Ezeani), Irefi and Ifite. Ezumeri was the oldest of the sons, followed by Odu(Ezeani), then Irefi and Ifite. In that order.
Legend has it that during the time of Oke-efi in Oraifite, Anumanu, a handicapped (partially blind) son of a king of Aboh town (currently in delta state of Nigeria), migrated to Oraifite seeking refuge. Oke-efi welcomed Anumanu and his entourage. Included in his entourage were his servant (Oliobasie) and his horn blower (EzeOpi).Oliobasie was originally from a village called Utagba, in Ukwuani town. He was a servant who accompanied prince Anumanu to Oraifite. Oke-efi allocated a piece of land to Anumanu, and allowed him to settle, adjacent to Odu (Ogwugwuezeani) his younger brother. Odu (Ogwugwuezeani) had a few children, and needed good neighbors for security reasons. Odu (Ogwugwuezeani) was the only original indigene of Ibolo land and the second oldest son of Oraifite. Ibolo quarter was named after a large tree found in that part of town.
Prior to the arrival of Anumanu, there was an earlier settler at Ibolo named Ugwumagana(Isiji). There is no historical account as to where he migrated from. There are 4(four) distinct families resident at Ibolo, even until now. They are (a) Odu (Ogwugwuezeani) family, (b) Ugwumagana (Isiji) family, (c) Prince Anumanu family and (d) Oliobasie family. The Oliobasie family belongs to the Anumanu household, because Oliobasie was a servant of Anumanu. Umu-ezeopi as the name shows, were the children of Eze-opi. And they too belong to the household of Prince Anumanu, since he was part of his confidant and was brought to Oraifite by him. Isingwu migrated later to Oraifite from Osumenyi. There was no historical account as to why they left Osumenyi. Isingwu was accepted and allowed to settle as part of the household of Odu (Ogwugwuezeani). Hence, the household of Odu (Uno-Odu) include, Ibolo, Umuezopi and Isingwu. There is no clear explanation why the Isi-obi (head) of Unodu shifted from Odu (Ogwugwuezeani) to Anumanu household in Ibolo.
Unodu have always lived peacefully with the rest of the other three quarters. No war(s) was fought nor recorded between them. Infact, all quaters jointly fought and conquered the Akwa-ukwu series of wars. Part of the land now occupied by Isingwu and Ibolo were conquered from Akwa-ukwu. Isingwu and Umuezopi instituted their Obis just as the other clans in Oraifite. The Isi-Obi of Uno-Odu rests at Ibolo.