THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF UTURU
ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF UTURU
Uturu has a unique and fascinating history that sets it apart from other igbo towns. Contrary to popular belief, it has been proven with evidence that some parts of the Igbo people might have migrated from Uturu. The oldest cave in Nigeria, Isiume cave, is located in Uturu and is believed to be one of the oldest caves in the world. Archaeologists from three universities in the United States have conducted extensive research at the cave.
There’s a goddess named Nnem Chukwu which inhabited in that Ngodo Uturu cave, for over 2,000 years before Adam. It is believed that Nnemchukwu gave birth to Mgbe, and Mgbe in turn gave birth to Ena, the father of Uturu.
Eminent scholars and archaeologists, such as Thurstan Shaw, Steve Daniels, F.N. Anozie, Catherine Acholonu, D.D. Hartle, and Michael A. Uchegbu, have linked Igbo history and culture to the Ugwuele-Uturu area. Archaeological research conducted by Shaw and Daniels indicates that people were already living in Uturu, specifically in the Ugwuele sub-lineage, as early as 11,000 BC or possibly even earlier. Similar evidence from F.N. Anozie reveals that human beings have existed in Uturu for at least 250,000 years. Anozie suggests that the people of Orlu, Amaigbo, and Isu, all in present-day Imo State, migrated from Ugwuele, Uturu, under the leadership of a man named Ele. These people are considered the direct descendants of the Ugwuele Homo Erectus.
Excavations carried out between 1977 and 1981 by archaeologists from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka at Ugwuele yielded stone tools, hand axes, and quartz flakes dating back over 250,000 years. These artifacts are currently housed in the National Museum in Enugu. The archaeological evidence from Ugwuele confirms that Uturu existed before any other group in Igbo land. According to M.A. Onwuejeogwu, the maker of the Ugwuele stone artifacts must have settled near the site, engaging in hunting, gathering food, and trapping animals. Many indigenous Igbo institutions and practices, such as the political system and the cultivation of crops, are believed to have originated from Uturu.
If we consider archaeology as a reliable source, it can be concluded that Ena, the founding father of Uturu, was one of the descendants of the early occupants of the Ugwuele site. Ena and his wife, Mgbedi, along with their companions, settled at Ekeukwu, which is now the ancestral home of Uturu Community.
THE LINEAGES OF UTURU
Uturu had several sons who established different lineages and sub-lineages within the community. The first son of Uturu was Imobi, and his wife gave birth to their first son named Achara, who became the founder of the Achara lineage. Imobi had another son named Ezii, who had a son named Ugwu. Ugwu left his father’s environment and settled in the present Mbaugwu area, becoming the founder of the Mbaugwu lineage in Uturu. Other sons of Ugwu include Umulolo, Osu, Duru (now Umuduru), Umuna, and Okwe.
Ochi, another son of Uturu, had a son named Akpukpa. Ochi also had a son named Isu, who settled not too far from his father. Isu later became known as Isu-n’abo, giving rise to the present Isunabo lineage in Uturu. Nvurunvu was entrusted with the responsibility of looking after Eke-Ukwu, the ancestral home of Ena. Other sons of Ochi include Umu mara mma (present-day Umumara lineage), Ndu-dim (present-day Ndundu lineage), and Isu Araka, who settled in the present-day Isuochi area, giving rise to Araka Isuochi.
This genealogy demonstrates the close relationship between Uturu and neighboring communities. In the past, people from Ohafia and Isuochi would come to Uturu to participate in annual sacrifices at Eke-ukwu, highlighting the interconnectedness of these communities.
Today, Uturu has become a fast-developing city with a population of approximately 40,000 according to the 2006 census. Uturu is divided into two parts: Ihite and Ikeagha. Ihite consists of two lineages, Achara and Mba-ugwu, while Ikeagha is made up of five lineages: Akpukpa, Nvurunvu, Isunabo, Umumara, and Ndundu, each with several sub-lineages or clans.
Uturu comprises a total of thirty-nine (39) sub-lineages, also referred to as clans. These include:
1. Amaegha
2. Amalechi
3. Amaugo
4. Amanyanwu
5. Amaokwe
6. Amamba
7. Amagu
8. Amaehuma
9. Amaidi
10. Amutu
11. Agbota
12. Agbongu
13. Agu-ukwu Amaegha
14. Agbama
15. Amuko
16. Aro
17. Eziama Umumara
18. Ezieke
19. Eziama Achara
20. Ikpokoro
21. Ihankwu
22. Ihiagu
23. Ngodo
24. Nvurunvu
25. Nnenzu
26. Nneghu
27. Nnembi
28. Owerre Akpukpa
29. Onuzo
30. Onuaku
31. Obiagu
32. Owerre Isunabo
33. Ogwahia
34. Umuanyi
35. Umuchioke
36. Ugwuele
37. Umuarata
38. Ugwuogu
39. Ukwu-okwe
Uturu is bordered by Ndi-okoroukwu, Isiagu, and Mile 2 to the north, Okigwe and Ihube to the south, Ugwuntu and Nkwo-nta to the east, and Lokpa-nta to the west.
The attached picture below depicts a holy land in Uturu, where trees have stood for thousands of years. These trees hold significant cultural and historical value to the Uturu people, and their preservation is deeply respected by the community.