History, Origin, Culture and Traditions of Awka Town in Anambra state:Capital

 
Awka (Igbo: ?ka) is the administrative capital of Anambra State, Nigeria. It was officially designated as the capital on August 21, 1991, following the creation of the new Anambra and Enugu states, which were formed by dividing the old Anambra State. While Enugu remained the capital of Enugu State, Awka, a historically important administrative center, became the capital of the new Anambra State. As of the 2006 Nigerian census, the city had an estimated population of 301,657. The combined population of Awka South and North Local Government Areas (LGAs) was approximately 430,200 in 2022. Awka is located about 199.1 kilometers (123.7 miles) by road, directly north of Port Harcourt, at the heart of the densely populated Igbo region in southeastern Nigeria.

##History
Awka has a certain kind of aura about it, because it was the place of the blacksmiths that created implements which made agriculture possible.

Awka is one of the oldest cities in Igboland, situated at the center of the Nri civilization, which was responsible for the earliest documented bronze works in Sub-Saharan Africa around 800 A.D. and was the birthplace of Igbo civilization.

The first inhabitants of Awka were the Ifiteana people, whose name loosely translates to “people who sprouted from the earth.” These people were known for their farming, hunting, and ironworking skills, and they originally settled along the Ogwugwu stream, now part of the Nkwelle ward of the city.

Over time, Awka gained fame for its metalworking, with its blacksmiths highly regarded throughout the region for crafting agricultural tools, dane guns, and ceremonial items such as the Oji (staff of mystical power) and Ngwuagilija (staff of Ozo men).

During pre-colonial times, Awka became known as the location of the Agbala oracle, a deity believed to be a daughter of the great juju shrine of Arochukwu. This oracle, which inspired Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart, was consulted to resolve disputes across the region until colonial authorities destroyed it in the early 20th century.

Before British colonial rule, Awka was governed by titled men known as Ozo and Ndichie. These individuals, who were respected members of the community, convened general meetings, called Izu-?ka, at the home of the oldest man (Otochal ?ka) or other designated venues. The Nne Uzu, or 'master blacksmith,' held the highest title, even though the role didn’t necessarily involve actual blacksmithing.

Today, Awka has adopted a republican system of governance and is administered by the Awka South Local Government Area. Traditional systems, such as consulting Ozo-titled men for village and community matters and electing the Eze Uzu, a paramount cultural representative, remain an integral part of the city’s culture.

Awka should not be confused with Awka-Etiti, a town in the Idemili South Local Government Area often mistaken for the main capital.

Awka is made up of seven distinct Igbo groups with a shared ancestry, divided into two sections: the Ifite section and the senior section. These sections comprise four groups: Ayom-na-Okpala, Nkwelle, Amachalla, and Ifite-Oka. The Ezinator section consists of three groups: Amikwo, Ezi-Oka, and Agulu. Together, these groups span 33 villages across Awka.

Today, Awka's people are spread around the world, with many working as professionals in various fields. There is a significant Awka diaspora, particularly in the UK and the United States, where social clubs like Awka Union USA and Canada, Awka Town Social Community UK, and Ireland have formed. These groups celebrate their culture and engage in community development initiatives.

Awka has also attracted people from other Nigerian states, contributing to the city’s diversity.

##Geography
Awka is situated below 300 meters above sea level, in a valley on the plains of the Mamu River. The city's topography features two ridges, running north to south, with the highest point located at Agulu, just outside the Capital Territory. A secondary ridge rises about 150 meters above sea level at Ifite-Awka, six kilometers to the east.

While Awka lies in a fertile tropical valley, much of its original rainforest has been cleared for agriculture and human settlement. Some remnants of the rainforest remain, such as at the Ime Oka shrine. Wooded savannah grasslands are predominant to the north and east of the city, while soil erosion and gullying can be seen on the slopes of the Awka-Orlu Uplands to the south.

##Economy
Awka's economy is largely driven by government activities, as the city hosts many state and federal institutions. These include the State Governor's Lodge, State Assembly, and ministries such as Health, Education, Lands, and Water, as well as the State Judiciary.

The city is also home to the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), a TV and radio station, and several federal agencies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (which operates a currency center in Awka), the NTA Awka media station, and branches of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigerian Immigration Service, and the Corporate Affairs Commission.

In recent years, new businesses have helped transform Awka's skyline. Orient Petroleum Resources Ltd, partly state-owned, has its headquarters in the city and is planning to build a refinery in Igbariam to exploit crude oil deposits in the Anambra River basin. Juhel Nigeria has also established a manufacturing plant for parenteral drugs in Awka.

Major Nigerian banks, such as Access Bank, First Bank, UBA, and Zenith Bank, have opened branches in the city.

##Urban Planning and Renewal
Before the Nigerian Civil War, Awka’s residents maintained their own city. Market traders cleaned their stalls, and residents were responsible for sweeping streets and clearing storm drains.

The first attempt at addressing urban decay came under the leadership of Governor Peter Obi, who signed a technical cooperation agreement with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) in 2007 to develop a structure plan for Awka Capital Territory. This plan linked Awka to surrounding towns like Agulu, Abagana, and Enugwu-Ukwu.

Governor Obi implemented some of UN-HABITAT’s recommendations, improving waste collection and upgrading roads, schools, and the teaching hospital. His successor, Governor Willie Obiano, has focused on modernizing the city, creating the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) to oversee the transformation. Significant infrastructure improvements have included expanding the A232 expressway and constructing flyovers at major junctions.

##Religion
Christianity is the dominant religion in Awka, though many residents also retain traditional religious beliefs. The Church Missionary Society (CMS) of the Anglican Church played a significant role in introducing Christianity to the region in the 19th century. The oldest church in the city, the Church of the Holy Spirit, was completed in 1930.

The Roman Catholic Church has also established a significant presence, with two large cathedrals, St. Patrick's and St. Mary's, as well as several smaller churches. Since 1977, Awka has served as the diocesan seat for the Roman Catholic Church, overseeing 107 parishes and five chaplaincies.

The Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) is the largest Pentecostal church in Awka, with a capacity of 5,000 seats and thousands of weekly attendees. The church broadcasts its major programs online, and other local churches, like the Intercessory Mercy Of God Church, also attract large followings.

##Festivals
The Imo-Oka festival is a two-week-long event held in May to honor a female deity believed to ensure a bountiful farming season. The festival, featuring masquerades and dances, begins with visits to the Umuokpu community and ends with a procession to the Imo-Oka stream. The festival includes performances such as the ede-mmuo, ogwu oghugha, and egwu Opu-Eke dances, and showcases a variety of masquerades representing ancestral spirits.

In 2001, Awka-born artist Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy gained international acclaim for her series of oil paintings of Awka Igbo Masquerades, exhibited in galleries in London, New York, and Lagos.

##Notable People

Kenneth Dike: A historian and the first Nigerian Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Dike played a significant role in Nigerian history and went on to serve as a professor at Harvard University after the Nigerian Civil War.

Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy: A renowned visual artist, Chukwuogo-Roy was the first black artist to paint an official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and received numerous accolades for her work.

Lieutenant-General Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor: A military leader appointed by the UN as a Military Advisor on Peacekeeping Operations, Obiakor played a significant role in Liberia’s peacekeeping efforts.

Chinyelu Onwurah: A British Labour Party politician, Onwurah became the first female MP of African origin in the UK when elected to represent Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central in 2010.

General Alexander Madiebo: A key figure in the Biafran army during the Nigerian Civil War, Madiebo served as the Republic of Biafra's General Officer Commanding (GOC).

Phyno: A popular Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter, Phyno is known for performing in the Igbo language.