Alayi

Alayi
Town
Alayi

Location in Nigeria

Coordinates: 5°44′N 7°36′E / 5.733°N 7.600°E / 5.733; 7.600Coordinates: 5°44′N 7°36′E / 5.733°N 7.600°E / 5.733; 7.600
Country  Nigeria
State: Abia State
LGA: Bende Local Government Area
Town/Village: Alayi Community
Government
 • Igboji of Alayi HRM (Eze) Ukeje Philip
Time zone GMT (UTC+1)

Alayi is a suburban town in Bende local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Alayi is about 60 miles from Aba the Commercial City of Eastern Nigeria, approximately 60 miles from Owerri Airport, 20 Miles from Umuahia the Capital City of Abia State, 8 miles from Uzuakoli, 7 miles to Abiriba and 15 miles to Ohafia. Alayi is divided into two sections, Akoliufu and Amankalu.

Demographics

Many of its people are from Bende LGA of Abia State, Nigeria. But people of other ethnic origins, as well as some foreign nationals from Ghana, Togo and other countries also live and work in Alayi in a peaceful atmosphere.

Constituencies and Neighbouring Areas

Alayi is naturally subdivided into two major constituencies: Amankalu and Akoliufu, with 10 autonomous communities:- Amaeke, Amaoku, Amaukwu, Amakwu, Umenyere, Etitialayi, Isiaku, Isiama, Amaigwu and Umukalu. Alayi is bordered by Item, Igbere, Umuhu, Akoli, Ozuitem, Isuikwuato, Ezeukwu and Ugwueke.

Mode of Governance

Alayi is governed by Igboji of Alayi (Igbojiakuru) with the help of other traditional rulers and their Council of Chiefs. There is also the Youth Movement called "Uke Ọza Ama" who also see to keep the youths under control and also see to the cleanness of the village. This group disciplines any child that gets beyond the control of his/her parents thereby helping other children to behave well.

History of government and leaders

Historically, Alayi like many other Igbo communities do not have a king. But the supreme leadership role of all the Alayi clans was maintained by the oldest elder in Umuirem clan. Umuirem clan is found in both Amaeke Alayi and Amankalu Alayi communities.

In the 20th century, on the arrival of the European missionaries and Western colonialism,WARRANT CHIEFTANCY role was given to Mazi Okereke Aka which later translated to pseudo-kingship today. The ruler of Alayi is given the title of Igboji. Amaeke community is the only community that did not become autonomous and retains the name Alayi in its royal status. All the nine villages that make up Alayi have "Onu-mkpu" (a centre) at EKE AKOLI in Amaeke Alayi symbolizing the origin of each village. The immediate past rulers of Alayi since the first Warrant Chief includes; Eze Ukeje Aka, the father of Eze Okereke Aka (a.k.a. Okereke Nne-Ote) the uncle of Eze Onwukwe Onwukwe. (During the late 1960s when Eze Okereke Aka became ill and was incapacitated, He appointed Chief Okereke Elendu (a.k.a. Okom Ikpo) to head his council, and he was succeeded by Chief Edward Okorie (a.k.a. Okorie Emeri) after he died. Chief Edward Okorie headed the council until Okereke Nne-Ote died and thereafter. Chief Edward Okorie is the father of Chief Chekwas Okorie.

Upon the death of Eze Okereke Nne-Ote, his son Chief Nwosu Okereke was appointed to take over the position of Igboji, he declined the offer, and it was handed over to his cousin Eze Onwukwe S. Onuwkwe who reigned until his death in 2008. Eze Onwukwe Onwukwe was buried in December 2008.

Since as late as the 1960s, it is the custom that when Igboji dies, the people of Ndi Elendu Royal Family nominate one of their illustrious sons to take over the staff of Igboji. On December 2008, His Royal Majesty (Eze) Ukaeje Philip was designated to assume the staff of Igboji of Alayi.

There has been a controversy regarding the status of Amaeke and Igboji in general. People have asked why Amaeke is not autonomous like other communities that make up Alayi. The answer is very simple; Amaeke Alayi was and is the seat of government in Alayi during the partition of the Autonomous Communities.

Traditional rulers

Title Traditional Ruler Autonomous Community Sub Section Palace
Igbojiakuru of Alayi Eze Ukeje Philip Alayi Community Akoliufu Amaeke Alayi
Akoliukwu of Agboakoli Eze Linus U. Okoronkwo Agboakoli Akoliufu Agboakoli Alayi
Mgbidiukwu of Amakwu Eze Christopher Ukaoma Amakwu Akoliufu Amakwu Alayi
Ohaukwu of Amaukwu Eze Emmanuel I. Chukwu Amaukwu Akoliufu Amaukwu Amaoku Alayi
Enyereukwu of Umenyere Eze John Eke Chima Umenyere Akoliufu Umenyere Alayi
Udoha of Etiti Alayi Eze Maurice Eke Okorie Etiti Akoliufu Umenyere Alayi
Aku Ukwu of Isiaku Eze (Barr.) Uche Elekwa Isiaku Amankalu Isiaku Amankalu Alayi
Udo of Isiama Eze J.K. Abah Isiama Amankalu Isiama Amankalu Alayi
Anorie of Umunkalu Eze Ejere Igwe Aka Umunkalu Amankalu Amachi Amankalu Alayi
Nkalukwu of Amankalu Eze David M. Ufere Amankalu Amankalu Amaururu Amankalu Alayi
Igwu of Amaigwu Eze Steven Ogbu Iheke Amaigwu Amankalu Amaigwu Amankalu Alayi

Culture

Many Alayi people are traders and industrialists in Aba and Lagos, as well as the used clothing importation business in countries like Republic of Benin, Togo and Ghana. However, in recent times, Alayi has produced many professionals including academics, lawyers, doctors, accountants, and so on. The most common religion is Christianity.

Alayi has a very rich culture, which is reflected not only in their language and food but also in dances, group formations, festivals, etc. The people have norms, customs and practices that have endured over time through which conflicts are controlled and resolved. The New Yam Festival is the most popular which are celebrated in August with a lot dances including. Ọkọnkọ, Ekpo, Ọbọnị and Akpanikọ. These dances are exclusively for men. There are also many other seasonal dances like Ikoro, Ajọnkwụ (Amaeke), Edere (Umuenyere) Lụghụlụghụ (Amaọkụ/Amaukwụ) Ịgwansi (Amakwụ, Enyom (Elugwu and Obuchie Amankalu), Aka Ọkụkụ (Ezi Alayi), Omume Anyụ (Amaigwu, Amankalu), Oborri (Umuezike Amankalu).

Ụmụagbala Amautazi Amankalu Alayi is also a community in Alayi which observe a unique culture known as Ekete. This is performed by playing a particular drum by men, performing magical acts (spiritism) and also dancing. During this festival women and children are regarded as observers. This festival is observed during the New Yam Festival (precisely 2 days after eating the new yam. This community is boarded by Ndịọtai and has what is known as (Ikwu) which are Ndiokereke, Ndịọtai, and Ụmụachọm. Their old men worship an idol god known as (Ọgbaegbu) discovered by their fore fathers. Allegiance to this deity is deteriorating through the influence of Christianity.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 7/16/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.