Ishiobiukwu Gedegwum

Coat of Arms

Ishiobiukwu Gedegwum is the ancient palace of the Orlu people. This is the residence of the traditional monarchy of Orlu, known as the Igwe of Orlu in Nigeria. Located in Imo state, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It has always been a focal point for traditional festivals, ceremonies and dispute resolution.

The original pre-colonial features, many of which survive, include the Ancient Obi-Hall, the remodelled Mansion of Duruojinnaka (and his forebears), the old Kitchen, the symbolic Iroko trees and the Central Chrysophyllum africanum-tree in Ishiobiukwu of Orlu. Eze Patick I, Crown-Prince Pats-Acholonu and Igwe Patrick II oversaw the remodelling of the estate from the 1930s to the 2020s.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Current Obi custodian[]

Coat of Arms

The current King of Orlu and custodian of Ishiobiukwu Gedegwum is Eze Dr. Patrick II Chinedu Acholonu, Igwe XI, Duru IX of Orlu. As the eleventh Igwe (King), he is also the ninth Duru (Noble), the highest Ofor holder, Opara or Okwara (Primus inter pares) and Obi Custodian of the Orlu kingdom. He is a humble servant of Orlu town.

Acholonu is an old family name that originated from the House of Duru (nobility). They are descendants of the ancient bloodline of Okwaraigweolu (First-born king of Orlu), who was granted Ọfọ-ukwu of the land. It was Ishiuburu who founded the Ozo society in Orlu. He took the title Okwaraugwelle - Okwaraigweolu. Ugwelle has been described to mean Igweolu - Igwe of Orlu, the title borne by the holders of the sceptre of its royal ancestry.^[4]^[5]

Ancient Obi[]

The Obi is a hallowed place. Every Igbo family, kindred (Ụmụ-Ọkala), village, town or kingdom respects the symbolism of the Obi. The Obi, in all its essence, represents the socio-political and spiritual centre of the people's link to their ancestry. At the central level is the Oshiobi-ukwu - the foremost of all the Obi's.

Ishiobiukwu Gedegwum is the spiritual, symbolic and physical space of the palace, ancestral descent and the inviolable profundity of the everlasting ancient Nobles (Durus) of old Orlu.

Ishiobiukwu ceremonies[]

New Yam Festival (Ịri-ji)
Ụmụ-Ọkala Assembly
Masquerade Dance Ceremony
Bestowing of Chieftaincy title
Prayers and Thanksgiving

References[]

^ Acholonu Papers a Documentary Source Book on the History of Old Orlu Division [ Eastern Nigeria ]. Owerri: Springfield. 1999.
^ Okemezie, Okems (1990). More Than Five Decades of Reign: Eze Patrick Ibeakamma Acholonu (Igwe X of Orlu). Goddom. ISBN 978-978-31113-0-1.
^ "Patrick Acholonu - NigerianWiki". nigerianwiki.com. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
^ Harneit-Sievers, Axel (1998). "Igbo 'Traditional Rulers': Chieftaincy and the State in Southeastern Nigeria". Africa Spectrum. 33 (1): 57–79. ISSN 0002-0397. JSTOR 40174764.
^ Okemezie, Okems (1990). More Than Five Decades of Reign: Eze Patrick Ibeakamma Acholonu (Igwe X of Orlu). Goddom. ISBN 978-978-31113-0-1.

External links[]

Longest reigning monarch, Igwe Acholonu, dies at 104

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[1] Acholonu Papers a Documentary Source Book on the History of Old Orlu Division [ Eastern Nigeria ]. Owerri: Springfield. 1999.

[2] Okemezie, Okems (1990). More Than Five Decades of Reign: Eze Patrick Ibeakamma Acholonu (Igwe X of Orlu). Goddom. ISBN 978-978-31113-0-1.

[3] "Patrick Acholonu - NigerianWiki". nigerianwiki.com. Retrieved 2021-11-25.

[4] Harneit-Sievers, Axel (1998). "Igbo 'Traditional Rulers': Chieftaincy and the State in Southeastern Nigeria". Africa Spectrum. 33 (1): 57–79. ISSN 0002-0397. JSTOR 40174764.

[5] Okemezie, Okems (1990). More Than Five Decades of Reign: Eze Patrick Ibeakamma Acholonu (Igwe X of Orlu). Goddom. ISBN 978-978-31113-0-1.

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