History, Origin, Culture and Traditions of Abagana town in Anambra state

 
There is no fully documented account of Abagana's origin, but three primary versions have been gathered from both oral traditions and available records.

Abagana covers about 9.2 square kilometers and is bordered by Abba, Ukpo, and Enugu Agidi towns to the north, Nimo Owelle and Eziowelle to the south, Enugwu Ukwu to the east, and Umunnachi and Ifitedunu to the west.

The town’s traditional leadership is represented by the Igwe Abagana, with the current monarch being His Majesty, Igwe Patrick Mbamalu Okeke.

According to an early Igbo narrative, Abagana, along with Nimo Owelle, Eziowelle, and Abba, shares a common ancestry. The story describes how a man named Owelle, along with his wife Oma, migrated from an unknown part of Igbo land and settled between Nimo Owelle and Eziowelle in the old Onitsha district. They had three sons and a daughter: Nimo (also Nimo Owelle), Ezi (also Eziowelle), Abagana, and Abba. These towns now share a central place for worship and an ancestral feast known as "Uta Nwanne na Nwanne," suggesting a common origin.

Another version of Abagana’s origin tells the tale of a man named Obum, who came from an unknown place and settled at what is now Nkwo Abagana. According to Late Chief Nwankwo Okakpu, Obum had nine children: Ogidi, Okpala, Chime, Okwui, Ene, Dejili, Akpuche, Ajilija, and Uru-Ochu. This version aligns with the popular saying "Abagana Ebo teghete," or "Abagana of nine clans," replacing an earlier reference to "Abagana Ebo n' ese," or "Abagana of five clans."

A widely accepted account identifies Agana-Diese as the founder of Abagana. While the exact place of his origin remains unclear, it is believed that he was exiled for committing an abomination and fled to what is now Nkwo-Abagana. According to various sources, including centenarian traditionalists like Chief Ejiofor Amamchukwu (Chime Abagana), Chief Okoye Ogbantu, and Chief Okeke Ezechi, Agana-Diese married and had six children: five sons—Okpala, Diese, Akpuche, Uruochu, and Ajilija—and one daughter, Obum. These sons are regarded as the original inhabitants of Abagana, which is why the town was once known as "Abagana Ebo-n' ese" (Abagana of five clans). A spiritual mound at Nkwo-Abagana Square marks the site where Agana-Diese lived, symbolizing unity and spiritual significance for the people of Abagana. Every November, the "Uta-Anu" feast is held in his honor to celebrate the enduring bond of relationship.

Over time, Okpala, a wealthy farmer, needed assistance for both his farming work and the protection of his expanding territory. He initially hired workers but later befriended a renowned hunter named Dunu, who came from Umunachi. Okpala entrusted Dunu with managing his laborers, gave him land to settle, and allowed him to farm the surrounding areas. Dunu married a woman from Uru-Okpala village, and they had three children: Kabi, Okpalachi, and Dilekwo. These three sons are said to represent the three major kindreds in the Umudunu village of Abagana. Other laborers who arrived with Dunu, mostly from Awkuzu and neighboring communities, cohabited with him but eventually dispersed or integrated into Dunu's lineage. Additionally, Dunu established a spiritual practice called "Iti Ofo na Ala" to address challenges in finding wives for his children, enabling intermarriage within the family—a tradition that continues to this day.

Orofia, the second-largest village in Abagana, was founded by an immigrant named Chime, who was known for his warrior skills and leadership. Chime, who hailed from either Ohafia or Arochukwu, sought slaves and goods during his travels. Eventually, he settled in Abagana, founding the Orofia village. Over time, Chime's family expanded to other regions, including Onicha Ugbo, Onicha Olona, and several other towns, forming part of the Ezechima clan in Igboland.

The name "Abagana" is believed to have originated from the oral tradition surrounding Agana-Diese, the town's founder. Initially, the people referred to their town as "Ebe-Agana" (Agana’s palace), but later, their neighbors called them "Mba-Agana," meaning "strangers are not allowed entry," likely due to the town's warrior-like reputation. The Europeans, unable to pronounce "Mba-Agana," adapted the name to "Abagana" for ease, similar to other local name changes in the region.

During the Nigerian Civil War, Abagana gained historical significance on March 31, 1968, when the Biafran army ambushed and destroyed a 96-vehicle convoy of Nigerian soldiers using a locally made bomb called Ogbunigwe. This victory led to the removal of Colonel Murtala Mohammed from his role as the General Officer Commanding the Onitsha sector.

Abagana remains a key town in Nigeria, serving as the administrative headquarters of the Njikoka Local Government Area in Anambra State. It is located approximately 20 kilometers from Onitsha along the old Enugu-Onitsha road, which divides the town into two parts.