Women in Igbo History: Omu Nwagboka (A Case Study)

Women in Igbo History: Omu Nwagboka (A Case Study)

Why Onitsha Has No Omu

In Western Igbo culture, the belief in the duality of masculine and feminine roles is embodied in the institution of the Omu (Queen Mother). The Omu is the female counterpart to the Obi in Western Igbo (Anioma) society.

**Omu Nwagboka (1834 – 1890)**

Omu Nwagboka served as the Omu of Onitsha from 1884 to 1890. She hailed from Ogbotu, in the Ogbendida village of the Umuezearoli lineage. Her appointment as Omu occurred during the reign of His Majesty, Obi Anazonwu.

As Omu, Nwagboka led the women’s ivory society known as Otu Ọdụ, a prestigious group of titled women permitted to carry elephant ivory, a privilege typically reserved for men in the Ọzọ society. She also headed the women’s guild called Otu Ogene.

The Omu wielded significant power in the town, controlling commercial activities, managing markets, regulating prices, and determining which foreign traders could operate in the markets. She was responsible for servicing market shrines as well. Additionally, she owned landed properties, war canoes, and maintained a large retinue of slaves and servants. Nwagboka had many wives and children and uniquely held the right to carry or dance the Masquerades, an honor usually reserved for men.

Omu Nwagboka’s economic ventures made her a powerful and wealthy woman. She sold ivory to the British government under Queen Victoria, acquiring the ivory from Igala country. In one transaction, she earned a substantial amount of $10,000 USD in ivory sales, equivalent to hundreds of millions today, which she shared with the Obi. As her lineage lacked Ozo status, she purchased one for her son, Egwuatu, and married 10 wives for him, impressive feats in those days.

Nwagboka’s power and resolve were evident when she led the Onitsha women’s association in a strike and riot over a dispute with the Obi involving unfair taxation and encroachment on women’s rights, bringing Onitsha to a standstill.

After her death in 1890, Obi Anazonwu did not appoint another Omu, and no subsequent Obi of Onitsha has appointed an Omu for over 100 years.