Umuawulu Origin

The founding father of Umuawulu was named AWULU. He descended from OKPALAESHI, often referred to as AWULU OKPALAESHI. Okpalaeshi was the offspring of a wanderer from Uga, currently in Aguata Local Government Area. Roughly 970 years ago, this wanderer settled in a place now called UHU in Mbaukwu. His name was OKPALASOUWA. Okpalasouwa married and had two sons, Okpalaeshi and Okpalano.

 

Okpalaeshi had several children, including Uhu, Egoshi, Afule, and Awulu. When the time was right, Awulu, heeding his father’s guidance, moved and settled in a place now known as ANAEZIOKPO.

 

Once settled, Awulu had a family that included two wives and three sons: Okpalachi, Akaezi, and Nnemoke. Okpalachi and Akaezi were sons of Awulu’s first wife, while Nnemoke was the son of his second wife.

 

As the years passed, these three sons expanded their families. Each of them founded their own community, which today is known as a village: Okpalachi founded Enugwu, Akaezi founded Agbana, and Nnemoke founded Umuenu.

 

The population growth of Umuawulu had two patterns: vertical and horizontal.

 

Vertically: Okpalachi had three sons – Ogu, Anunwa, and Uto. Akaezi had Odebe, Ekwe, and Nnebete. Nnemoke fathered Ekwensu, Oshiogu, Nnawulu, Uhuechi, and Uhuomaghi. Naturally, these descendants married and had their families, forming large kin groups. These groups eventually became the large communities known as the villages of Enugwu, Umuenu, and Agbana. Collectively, they are identified as Umuawulu, which means “children of Awulu.”

 

Horizontally: The population also grew due to immigrants from places like Ozegu, Ishiagu, Aguleri, and others. These immigrants were often refugees from unstable areas, smaller communities that were disbanded, or wandering groups seeking better opportunities. Additionally, slaves from distant areas who sought refuge, especially in strong shrines like Avuja, added to Umuawulu’s population. Many of these individuals lost touch with their origins, but they were welcomed into Umuawulu. They assimilated into the community, adopting the local way of life.

 

Umuawulu has always prided itself on being a community of ONE IDENTITY and ONE DESTINY.