Ihite

The name “Ihite” was derived from the name given by his father – Ogbuodudu. Nobody knows the exact year the town was founded, but it is believed to have been in existence for more than six hundred years (600) in the 1400s during the time when towns and villages were being founded and established in this part of the world. His father (Ogbuodudu) was a hunter, who migrated from Utorikpo family of Uturu in Isukwuato Local Government Area in the present Abia State. He was a great hunter of high repute. It was during his hunting expedition that he came to the area called Ihite today. He liked it and decided to settle. He did not come as a refugee. He found the place comfortable and favourable for hunting. He went back to his father and demanded for a wife. Ogbuodudu had a relation who is Nachi the pre-originator of Okannachi in the present Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. No one knows why he gave him the name “Ihite”, but it was assumed by many narrators that it was to mark the beginning of his stay in the level i.e he has come to stay “Ehitelem”. When he settled, he neither met no one nor had initial fight for a place of settlement.

Ihite had two children namely, Danankwo and Ubendu. Ubendu had two sons namely Ezeagu and Okwa. While Danankwo had a child called Akpuru. Ihite decided to allow her only daughter Danakwo to stay at his house to bear children. This practice of allowing a female child to have children at his father’s house is still in practice in Ihite today. It is called “Iha nwayi na ebete”. When she couldn’t conceive because she had fibroid (Akpuru), a herbalist was invited to cure her. When she finally had a son, Ihite named him Akpuru in memory of difficult times her mother Danankwo experienced.

Originally, Ihite had four villages namely, Umuezeagu, Umuokwa, Danankwo (Amakpuru) and Amoji. But presently, the town operates a two village or what is known by them as divisions. This two divisions are Usbue (Ubendu) and Amakpuru (Danankwo). The two divisions were further splitted into six villages for administrative convenience. These six villages are as follows:

1.      Umuezeawuru (Unuezealabara)

2.      Umuokpalaukwu

3.      Amaore (Umuezeagu)

4.      Amoji / Ilili

5.      Umuonyekamma

6.      Umuekwere

Ihite has strong influence with Arochukwu people in Abia State. The Aros were involved in purging the town of criminals and obstinate. The land of Ihite forbids crime and that is why no Ihite son or daughter who had engaged in criminal activity has ever lived long but died a violent death. At times those culprits and their subordinates were sold to the Aro people. Again, today there are Aro people that live in Ihite as migrants. These people are Ndiokpuehi and some from Ndiukwu. They are found among Amorie village and Umuokpalauwku village respectively.

Ihite as a town waged wars but not wars of occupation or conquest but as a result of misunderstanding. The notable wars were the popular “Ogu Ibu” and “Ogu Ezeama” which ended in favour of Ihite. Ihite formed strong and powerful military alliance with Umunze and Umualaoma in Ideato L.G.A in Imo state to restrict the advance of Aro warrior hunting for slaves to be traded with the white men.

The traditional festivals were of quiet importance to the Ihite people. These festivals are namely, The iri ji (new yam festival), Okuka-Ukwu and the Nkocha Ji. The biggest and most famous of these is Okuka Ukwu. It takes place on the traditional eleventh (11) month (January–February) yearly. It lasts for “Izu Isii” (24 days). During this time, stages of marriages are performed. There is also lavish feasting, fowls, goats, and cows are slaughtered. In-laws, friends and well-wishers are invited. Masquerades features on Eke and Afor days beginning from the 4th day. Peacemaking for smooth transition into the new year coinciding with the beginning of farming season is made to God.

In the pre-colonial era, many deities were referenced which played great roles among the people. The notable ones are Ajala, Ngwara, Olomgbo etc. The most powerful is the Ajala. It forbids Ihite citizens from indulging in taboos which discrete the land such as murder, sex with siblings or mother, daughter, father, stealing yams from the barn or planted seeds and many more. These deities has each sacred forests exclusively reserved for it. Together with these sacred forests, there are sacred streams and other bushes like Ngwara spring, Ogwume Spring, Ishiagommiri spring, Agwu forest and Ajala forest. There are trees and herbs that are of cultural importance in Ihite. These include Egbu, Ngwu which gives protective powers against charms to those under its influence, Omu which signifies peace and warning, Ogirishi leave for oath taking, Ojukwu palm fruit as antidote to poison.

The administration of Ihite falls into the traditional/chieftaincy institution and the town union. Ihite people resolved to operate chieftaincy institution in line with her culture and circumstances. The Igwe of Ihite is the highest title that is bestowed to on one single man who serves as the traditional ruler of Ihite and is addressed by the name “Ogbuodudu” in remembrance of Ogbuodudu pre-originator of Ihite and the father of Ihite. The immediate past Igwe, late Igwe Sir. B.O Ofu was allowed to use the title name “Ezeamama” to distinguish himself from other Igwe in Orumba. The next Igwe that shall succeed him shall adopt “Ogbuodudu” as a title. The Abagbuoroagu of Ihite is the second in rank to Igwe. The abagbuoroagu is the traditional prime minister. There are chiefs next in ranking to Abagbuoroagu. They are men of integrity who must defend the course of Ihite even at death. There are also the Ichies who are selected two each from the six villages who are next in ranking.

It is worthy to note that the selection and election of Igwe of Ihite is rotational to all the villages. The other instrument of administration in Ihite is Ihite Development Union (IDU) which its formation was spearheaded by Igwe Sir B.O Ofu after his installation in 1976. The town union is headed by President-General. IDU has other elected members of the executives.

• Chief Benson Ofu (Late), former traditional ruler of Ihite.

• Engr. Sam Emeka
• Nnamdi Okonkwo, former Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Nigeria.