*BRIEF HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF UHUAMI
(A.K.A OZI-EDE, OZI-AGUVA, OZI-ATTAH)
CLAN OF ADAVI IN EBIRA LAND
BY:
SAKA ABDULBAKI (A.K.A Bakilium De' Erudite)
"Odeyi-Ani'uhuami Gamji"
Modified on 1st January, 2018. Revised on 1st November, 2018.
Members of the various clans in Ebiraland are descendants of the children of Itaazi. Itaazi had five (5) son's named (Adaviruku/Ohizi, Ododo, Obaji, Uga, Ochuga/Onotu). Ohizi (Adaviruku) had five children who are progenitors of the five traditional Adavi clans named after them.
Historically, One of the sons of Adavi referred to his dwelling-place as Uhuami (my Abode). People opted to call him “UHUAMI” which becomes more popular than his other name like Aguva, Ede, Attah e.t.c. He was the third of Adavi’s sons (Upopuvete, Uka, Uhuami, Aniku and Adeika). The seniority order of five Adavi sons had being maintained. In 1934 “Otaru” the Great father of late Attah of Ebiraland performed his last annual entertainment. He normally does this by dividing six big pots of local guinea corn wine fermented at his residence. He used to invite all Adavi sons and give this entertainment in order of seniority of Adavi sons and last to the other beneficiaries.
Before his last performance in 1934, he normally gives this wine to Upopuvete, Uka, Uhuami, Aniku and Adeika which is the seniority order of the five clans of Adavi. He however passed away in 1935. Like his other brothers did, Uhuami, left Adavi-Eba to settle in the hilly portion of Iruku Uroko (forest of Iroko trees) now known as Ukuroko (Kuroko). His younger brother followed suit and settle in the valley of the same forest which was why he adopted the Ani Iruku (People of the forest) now Aniku.
Uhuami married only one wife through whom he was blessed with five sons (Osovosi, Upata, Ohemi, Ozzi and Ekko). And a daughter (Onyi-hie). The descendants of these sons from Uhuami clan of Adavi who founded and settled at Kuroko, Inoziomi, Ipaku, Ebogogo, Karaworo, Iresuhua and part of Eika Ohizenyi while other still remain at Adavi-Eba. His daughter married Iyewe (Etodo) of Eika who settled in Uhuami land at Ikaturu.
GEOGRAPHICAL LANDMASS:
Uhuami clan landmass stretching from Okene General Hospital to the total petrol station at Idakoyibo. They share boundary with Aniku from GRA to Ebogogo. Uhuami also share boundary with Eziadeika fom Ipaku –Ebeba up to Enyi Asese of Kuroko Uvete down to Ateba. They also share boundary with Eziehinka of Ogu clan at the terminus of Ohizenyi stretching from Ikaturu Eba to Oyeye, Emani Hill, Arikete, Idoporipo, Ihioriho, where they have middle boundary with Aniku (Ihioriho is part of Uhuami landmass). The landmass continued from that spot to Ure, Oguara, Etenyi e.t.c to Ohuagura which is at the Eastern flank with Eganyi people. Towards the Northern part lies a stretch of landmass belonging to Avasa clan of Eika Ohizenyi particularly late Akoko family of Avasa.
In summary Uhuami landmass right from Eika Ohizenyi lies in the middle of Ezuka landmass and Aniku landmass. Ebira land use law of the early 16 century from the national achieves. Kaduna and the British imperial Museum between 1842-1914 will attest to this historical claim.
ASOVI OF UHUAMI CLAN (the bird of victory of Uhuami Clan):
As a clan symbol, Uhuami has a flying bird landing on a rock because a bird called “ASOVI” guided our ancestors to victory during the ancient communal war while the rock symbolizes the hill-top domain of the ancient time.
UHUAMI A.K.A (OZI-EDE) CLAN ADAVI LGA:
History has it that Uhuami a.k.a Ozi Ede is the third child after Ozi Apasi and Ezuka of Adavi whose descendant dominantly occupies Adavi LGA of Kogi State of Nigeria. Uhuami is said to settle along the bank of river where specie of fish called “EDE” are found. People near and far comes to the river to hunt for fish (Ede). They then nick name the Uhuami people living at the bank of the river as Ozi Ede (Children of Ede). The fish was so important in the life of the people in the area that it became a source of pride to Uhuami people hence adopted Ede an Eulogy.
This eulogy (Ede) was further adopted as a title which culminated to a title first level by late Adai Aputu Atevese. This stool was abandoned after the death of Aputu Atevese.
The Uhuami been proud and want in hold high its past resolved to upgrade the title to chieftaincy status to make their chieftaincy stool of the clan three. The stool are Adeika, Aguva and Ede. The three stools are to be rotated among the five children of Uhuami and no one of the children is expected to hold two of the stool at a time.
Uhuami clan also agreed that Upata sub clan should first sit on the stool and H.R.H Mr. Ibrahim John Musa was chosen to be crowned as the Otaru Ozi-Ede of Uhuami Clan Adavi LGA kogi State.
NOTABLE HISTORICAL MASQUERADES IN UHUAMI:
Notable historical masquerades (Eku or Aneku) owned by uhuami clan purposefully for annual entertainment, celebration, and cultural display etc includes; Onogidi-Kuroko (Aneku Onogidi of Uhuami) and Aregenu Obanyi-Kuroko (Aneku Aregenu Obanyi of Uhuami), Adebira-Kuroko (Aneku Adebira-kuroko) etc.
The maskurades is majorly oversees by the Custodians in Uhuami-clan and likewise the elders in the clan who are spiritually gifted.
The advent of the maskurades by the ancestors who are spiritually oriented has become a historical event in which all members of Uhuami clan can easily trace their origin of life and historical events of Uhuami clan of Adavi, in Ebira land.
The first costodian of Aneku Aregenu Obanyi-Kuroko usually titled Odenya te' ku (Odenya te' ku Aregenu Obanyi-Kuroko) was a popular man in Ebira land in person of Adai. Pa. Ojatuhuwo, who was a remarkable man in Uhuami clan, and belong to Ekko lineage(Abara) in Uhuami A.K.A (Ozi-Ede) which history has it to be the 5th son of Uhuami. Hence, Custodian Adai Pa. OJATUHUWO has remain a great hero in the history of Uhuami clan in Ebira land.
THE PROMINENT CULTURAL FESTIVALS (ECHE-OZI ETE) USUALLY CELEBRATED BY UHUAMI CLAN:
The Ebiras have several annaul cultural festivals. Three of the most prominent ones are: 'Echane', 'Eche Ori' and 'Ekuechi'.
ECHE-ANE: This is an annual masquerade festival celebrated in rotation from one district to the other in Ebiraland (between April-June). In the past, it was only during the period of the festival that betrothed girls were given away in marriage to their suitors. That is why the festival is called 'Eche-ane' (women festival). Masquerades, though carried long canes, came out primarily to entertain people and received gifts in return. It is regrettable that this very popular and interesting festival has been bastardized and now a source of constant breach of peace.
ECHE-ORI: 'Eche Ori' is a new yam festival celebrated only in two districts in Ebiraland. These are Ihima and Eganyi. During the festival, traditional worshippers make sacrifices in the secret groove of 'Ori' (deity) high up in the mountain to show gratitude for its protection and provision of bounteous harvest.
The worshipers carry long canes with which they whip one another in turns without anyone exhibiting any sign of pain. This is a mark of strength or manhood. Another important attraction of the festival is the delightful 'Echori' music in which female singers feature prominently. Only after this festival can one eat or sell new yams in the market as it is a taboo to do so before the festival in Ihima and Eganyi.
EKUECHI: This is a night masquerade festival which marks the end of the Ebira calendar year and the beginning of a new one. Ododo is popularly acclaimed to be the initiator of this masquerade festival. The 'Akatapa' masquerade in heralding the beginning of the festival often say "Irayi ododo osi gu, Irayi akatapa osi gu eeeh! Osa yeeeh!" which means "the year of the Ododo has ended; the year of Akatapa has ended. Here is another year". The festival begins with a festival eve in which folk singers (ome ikede) perform to the delight of both men and women.
The following day, the real festival in which masquerades sing and dance to entertain people from dusk to dawn takes place. It is restricted to men only so all women stay indoors throughout the duration of the festival. All dead relatives are believed to return to a earth on a visit this night, so, women prepare delicious 'Apapa' (bean read) and he-goat meat for the visitors. The women also, at times, leave monetary gifts with the men for the visiting dead relatives. Trust men, the meals and gifts are properly and neatly delivered to the beneficiaries who only the men have the privilege of seeing and interacting with, that night.
UHUAMI HEROES/HEROINES:
(1) Ede/Aguva/Attah/Uhuami: founder of uhuami clan.
(2) Osovosi: 1st son of Uhuami and progenitor of "Osovosi" lineage, sub-clan of Uhuami.
(3)Upata: 2nd son of Uhuami and progenitor of "Upata" lineage, sub-clan of UhuamI.
(4) Ohemi: 3rd son of Uhuami and progenitor of "Ohemi" lineage, sub-clan of Uhuami.
(5) Ozzi: 4th son of Uhuami and progenitor of "Ozzi" lineage, sub-clan of Uhuami.
(6) Ekko: 5th son of Uhuami and progenitor of "Ekko" lineage, sub-clan of Uhuami.
(7) Onyi-hie: a daughter of Uhuami.
(8) Adai Aputu Atevese: 1st to adopt the eulogy "Ede" as a title.
(9) HRH.Mr. Ibrahim John Musa: 1st Otaru Ozi-Ede of Uhuami clan.
(10) Adai. Pa. Ojatuhuwo: 1st costodian of Aneku Aregenu Obanyi-Kuroko titled "Odenya te' Ku Aregenu Obanyi", Kuroko.
(11) Adai. Ali Omuya: 1st custodian of Aneku Adebira-Kuroko titled "Odenya te' Ku Adebira", Koroko.
(12) Adai. Pa. Isah Akeae of Kuroko: Notable singer in Uhuami clan and throughout Ebiraland.
(13) Late Adai. Ajae of Kutta, Kuroko: 1st to adopt the eulogy " Ajae" as a honorary title, an influential man of Uhuami (Odeyi-onoru) and a notable spiritual leader (Odeyi-omahono & Odeyi-oheva) around 19th Century/early 20th Century, and also a war legend who had variously fought to defend Ebira Country before the British Conquest of Ebira Country. His initial name was "Onuvayae".
(14) Late Adai. Aja're of Okuhua'avi: 1st to adopt the eulogy "Aja're" as a famous honorary title, "a traditional philosopher of Ebiraland". An influential man of Uhuami, Uhuami Clan ambassador and as well a notable spiritual leader (Odeyi-oheva & Odeyi-omahono). His initial name was "Ipemida" and also adopted the title "Odeyi-Ani'uhuami”, “Obanyi of Uhuami”, & “Okoche' of Uhuami” at first level.
(15) Late Adai. Aja're Ibrahim Owuda: 2nd to adopt the famous honorary title "Aja're of Uhuami".
(16) Late Ikede Salami Otaru: She is from Late Otaru Ogidi Family. She died 1989; Notable female singer in Uhuami clan and throughout Ebiraland.
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF ADAVI LGA IN WHICH UHUAMI CLAN (Iresu) BELONG:
Adavi is a Local Government Area in Kogi State , Nigeria , adjoining Edo State in the south and the state capital Lokoja in the north. Its headquarters are in the town of Ogaminana near the A123 highway in the southwest of the area at 7°36′05″N 6°12′01″E / 7.60139°N 6.20028°E .
It has an area of 718 km² and a population of 202,194 at the 2006 census.
The postal code of the area is 264.[1]
References:
1. ^ "Post Offices- with map of LGA" . NIPOST. Archived from the original on 7 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
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Adavi LGA:
Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 7°40′N 6°27′E / 7.667°N 6.450°E
Country: Nigeria
State: Kogi State
Headquarters: Ogaminana
Area:
• Total; 718 km 2 (277 sq mi)
Population; (2006 census)
• Total; 202,194
Time zone; WAT (UTC+1 )
3-digit postal code prefix 264
ISO 3166 code NG.KO.AD
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