Elemaga

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Elemaga is a small farming village in Ibere, Ikwuano, Abia State, Nigeria.^[1] Elemaga is located in the center of Inyila, Isiala-Ibere, Ahia Orie, Iberenta, Inyilu, Itunta and Oburo the food belt of Ibere, about 15 km southwest of Umuahia, the Abia state capital. Elemaga is believed to be derived syntactically from the words Ele ("look"), Ma ("well") and Ga ("go") which literally means "look well before you go".^[2] Climate is tropical monsoon.^[3]

In contrast with what has believed a century ago, there is no evidence of a special pre-Christian significance in the small farming village of Elemaga Ibere. The fourth-smallest village among 14 villages in the Ibere community is richly surrounded with numerous cultural displays. There are farmers, hunters and chiefs as well as engineers, lawyers, bankers, lecturers and business merchants. The 3,000 inhabitants work in cocoa plantations and palm oil plantations which is the major sources of income for their livelihood. They accommodate many labourers from neighbouring villages like Nkalu in Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Ebonyi. Their farm products are sold in Ahia Orie, Ahia Ndoro, Ahia Ariam and Ahia Ugwumaberi ibeku known as Umuahia modern-market. Elemaga has rich cultural heritage some of which are Itu Igwu, Ekpe, Oboni, Okonko and many others. The community observes rest from its farming activities on nkwo market day. It is part of the Agbo Ibere autonomous community which it doubles as the capital. What could be referred to as one of the oldest primary schools in the entire Ibere clan is situated in Elemaga Ibere.

History[]

The history of Elemaga is still sketchy in general view of the Ibere community, where some argue that their ancestors moved downward from Jewish tribes of Israel who vacated Egypt during the mass movement of Pharaoh era before the colonial period. Others contend that the ancestors may have migrated with Olokoro/Ibeku in Umuahia during the stone era. Elemaga people share sociocultural similarities with their neighbouring villages, such as Ekpe festival, New yam festival, Obono dance, Ekpo masquerade, Okumoko dance and ubochi owu (resting market day). Nkwoahia (market days) is regularly observed as a resting day for Elemaga people. Major ceremonies such as marriage, burial, and dances bear striking resemblances among her relatives in a diaspora.

The language of Elemaga Ibere is typical Igbo language with a sharp difference. Elemaga is composed of Uno-mara ano (four kindreds), namely Umunyiaokwo, Ngboko, Nlialanyi and Agbo-Miri(there are some other kinsmen in Bende Local Government Area of Abia). However, development and urbanisation are rapidly coming to Elemaga. The provision of electricity and the Elemaga–Ibere road were traced back to Orji Uzor Kalu the former governor of Abia. Tensions escalated in Elemaga, Itunta, Oburo and her neighbouring villages on Elemaga erosion sites and the famous bridge that links to the rich farming villages of Itunta, Oburo and Nkalunta. The economic road is the shortest way of transporting their agricultural produce. Elemaga people seek the attention of Abia State Government of Nigeria and International community for its urgency.

Government[]

Elemaga people receive day-to-day government authority at a local level in Ama-ala (the village assembly), through the help of the town crier (PRO). The village assembly is made up of Onyeisi (the chief or village leader), the elders, men, women and youths. Since century back, Elemaga has maintained an Ama ogwu (village square) with the Agbala (sacred courtroom) at its centre. Agbala is an ancient special jurisdiction. The term Agbala is used interchangeably to refer to village judiciary courtroom headed by Nna-Ezi (the oldest man).

Culture[]

The burial of an Elemaga man or woman is the responsibility of the deceased family and of the village. Umunna (the first male son in the family) and Umuada (the first daughter of the family) play an important role for the peaceful atmosphere of the village, by settling communal and family dispute such as farmland disputant, economic use of trees, sand and communal land.

References[]