Anam, Nigeria

Anam land lies within the tropics in the equatorial region of sub-Saharan Africa, with many streams & lakes, green vegetation of extensive thick forests. It has very moderate temperature and friendly weather most of the year. Seasonal experiences in Anam include Udu-mmili (rainy season), Iju (Flood season), Ugulu (harmattan season), Okochi (dry season). A home to various species of medicinal and economic plants, animals, beautiful birds, insects and butterflies original to Anam land.

The Arochukwu people from Ohafia, who were slave merchants, came to Anam to take people captive and sell them to slave traders. However, they were not good swimmers and could not navigate through the river efficiently. Their attacks became so intense that the Anam people decided to engage them in a battle.

The people of Anam mobilized their youths, who lured the Edda warriors onto a boat. While the boat was in the middle of the river, the youths on the riverbank began pelting the boat with stones. The warriors on the boat drowned in the river, and the remaining Edda warriors withdrew from the area and never returned.

The invasion inspired a saying "Ada si Anam "kwali ive nye mili".^{[citation needed]}

The Aboh slave hunters, led by Prince Enbeli, later invaded, and unlike the Arochukwu they could maneuver the river effectively. Many Anam people were captured, despite the Anam people's use of the canon and den guns given to them by their Portuguese slave masters.

They eventually consulted a diviner who told them that they could only defeat the Aboh warriors and Enebeli with the aid of a charm that the diviner would prepare. He told them that the bearer of that charm would die and the charm would cause confusion when thrown into the Aboh camp. Amah, a son of Umueze Anam, volunteered to carry out the task. His brother Iwo volunteered to accompany his brother and ensure that if Amah died, his head would be brought home. Obalichi from Umuoba Anam lead the Anam warriors against the Aboh. They succeeded, defeating the Aboh warriors and killing Prince Enebel.

Incarnation is among the prime beliefs of the Igbo people and Anam people like other cultures believed in incarnation or Ogbanje, in fact, this belief is central to the rituals of the naming ceremony. There are different manifestations of Ogbanje. There are also beliefs in the existence of multitudes of benevolent and evil spirits inhabiting the spirit-world of waters, ani, air, fire, plants and animals that can be convoked to execute evil or just order through a medium that will divine-gba ava to ascertain means of summoning. Anamland has several lakes, plants, animals, places and phenomenon believed to be possessed by spirits. There are three lakes believed to belong to a great goddesses of fruitfulness called Nne Ethele, Nwa Ethele and diokpala Ethele Ndi-Anam observe the Igbo lunar calendar and not the Gregorian calendar.

In Anam, as elsewhere in Igbo land masquerading is a revered traditional practice that forms part of the cultural heritage of our people. Masquerades are precious cultural heritage and identity of families and kins across Anam towns. Anamites use masquerades to celebrate activities of great importance, and commemorate different social, cultural, religious or prognosticational events. Different musicals and dances are fused into the arts of masquerade; popular among the dance steps is Okani war dance steps.