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Asarama | |
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City | |
  Asarama | |
| Coordinates: 4°31′42″N7°26′35″E / 4.52833°N 7.44306°E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Rivers State |
| LGA | Andoni |
| Elevation | 9 m (30 ft) |
Asarama is a riverine city in Andoni, Rivers State, Nigeria. It borders Bori to the north, Nkoro to the east, Ngo to the south, and Bonny and the Kalabari Kingdom to the west.
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Asarama is a city located in Rivers State, southern Nigeria. It is one of the largest and most populated cities in the Andoni Local Government Area.
Asarama was formed from an amalgamation of many villages, including Egwebe (the largest and most populated), Egwe-Aja, Egwe-Ewaye (from which Asuk Royal House emanates), Egwe-Idake, Egwe-Esu, Egwe-Asuk-Okpong, and Ikpak. Other villages include Iyong-Orong, Asarama-Ija, Iwoma-Asarama, Asalakiri, Agbaokwan-Asarama 1 to 15, Uja-Ama, and Asarama-Toru. The Egwebe village square is in the heart of Asalakiri. However, since these villages have over a thousand years of ongoing mutual relationships, they cannot be differentiated. Asuk Royal House in Egwe-Ewaya (Ewaye, for short) is the only House that produces the King.[ citation needed ] Others do contribute when it comes to religious, socio-cultural, and war activities.
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The Andoni resides in present-day Rivers and Awka-Ibom States. Based on the evidence from traditional history, the Andoni are descended from Ayama, the Son of Tara (Tarakiri), who was left with Kala-Okun at Igbedi creek. The migrating ancestors are mentioned as Asara or Asa founder of Asarama, Ifop, Edeh or Edabiri , Alama, and Abah, to name a few. They left Igbedi creek area at an early stage, taking with them the title \"Indo Oru\" which they remembered and gave to their priest rulers. The title \"Indo Oru\" was subsequently corrupted to \"Ando Oru\," and then during their sojourn, this term was altered to \"Andoni Oru\." [ citation needed ]
Leaving the central delta, the early ancestors made their way through creeks and swamps, cutting down trees to cross the water waves. They first encamped for some time in the southeastern region before moving into the delta. Their first settlement was called Ayama, after their ancestor. The site of Ayama was the site of Peterside in Ibani or Bonny town. They stayed here for centuries manufacturing salt for the interior markets before moving[ citation needed ]. It was from Ayama that Asarama (i.e., Asara\'s town) was founded[ citation needed ].
A second group moved on to the southern Cameroons and Calabar region. It was here that they intermarried with Bantu-speaking people. In approximately the 12th century AD, these Andoni made a return journey into the Niger Delta and settled at Egwede, where they sited their national emblem, called Oyobolo (Obolo). Further migration patterns were caused by the repeating conflicts with the Ibani (Beni or Bonny to Europeans), as a result of the slave-raiding confusion of those times. From the site of Peterside, they moved eastwards to the Rio Real, then to Asarama-Toru, then further east to Okoma, the site opposite the present town.
The old settlement was the site of Peterside in Bonny, which was called Ayama (or old Asarama), Asarama being the oldest of the Andoni towns. Other Andoni towns include Ayangala, while Alabie was the other name for Egwede. In the 1940s, the chief title of the Andoni native court judge was still Andoni Oru, acknowledging the ancestral connection to Indo-Oru (the original title of father Ujo the ancestor of Ijo people). The Andoni no longer speak the original Ijo language. The foundation of Andoni was between the 10th and 12th century AD.
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The majority of Asarama people are highly social and religious. They are predominantly traditional [more info here] worshipers as well as Christians. Approximately 40 years ago [from what date?], many fetish and cultural play/events were introduced to Asarama society, though currently, the only fetish-related, dangerous and frightening play is the Efie-okpo, which is played at night between the hours of 9pm and 4am in September every year. Two others in this tradition are called Nwantam and Okekpe. Though the Okekpe is a little more terrifying, strangers can join in the performance with indigenous players; and the Nwantam is open to general participation. Most Christians believe that these activities are for the indigenous deities and should not be performed at all. The Ofio-okpo [check spelling - 3 versions] is never and can never be seen with eyes unless you are a member of this social group; thus it is seen as an occult and devilish organization. According to the members, those who set eyes on it will die if they are not members, but people find pleasure in listening to the songs and instrumental beats coming from the masquerade.
The youths felt that these plays were too traditional for them, and therefore introduced aspects of western culture to the town. The arrangement of the events now include: Nwantam (1 January), Beach Party (2 January), Okekpe (3 January) and Ofiokpo (three days in September). Aside from these, there are other events which happen within the year at least every three months, as the Asarama people return home with friends from all walks of life bringing new ideas for partying, clubbing, marriages and wedding ceremonies, chieftaincy installations, burial ceremonies and other cultural activities. These activities sometimes blend with the quarterly events which the Asarama people called Otayan (ending of moon or months). The first Otayan is from the last week of March to the first week of April; the second quarter is the last week of June to the first week of July; the third quarter is the last week of September to the first week of October; and the final quarter goes from the last week of December to as long as anyone can survive the revelry in January, which then coincides with the New Year celebrations. The Asarama people rarely celebrate Christmas at home, though they will observe the season with friends who visit them or if they visit friends outside Asarama.
Asarama lies at a latitude of 4.5323100 and longitude of 7.4408400. It has an elevation of 9 meters above sea level.[ citation needed ] It borders Egendem to the west and Opobo to the east, Ogoni to its north, and Ebuguma to its south. It is a few miles away from the Atlantic Ocean.
The Ijaw people, otherwise known as the Ijo people, are an ethnic group found in the Niger Delta in Nigeria, with significant population clusters in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers. They also occupy Edo, and parts of Akwa Ibom.
Rivers State, also known as Rivers, is a state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria. Formed in 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include Imo to the north, Abia and Akwa Ibom to the east, and Bayelsa and Delta to the west. The State capital, Port Harcourt, is a metropolis that is considered to be the commercial center of the Nigerian oil industry.
The Defaka are a small ethnic group of south-eastern Nigeria, numbering fewer than a thousand people. They live in the eastern part of the Niger Delta, Rivers State, Bonny District; part of them in the Defaka ward of Nkoroo town in close relationship with the Nkoroo people, and another part of them on the isolated island of Iwoma Nkoro, near Kono. Present neighbours of the Defaka, apart from the Nkoroo people, are: at Iwoma, the Ogoni people, and to the east, the Obolo. The Defaka have a less cordial relationship with these peoples than with the Nkoroo.
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King Otuo Ogbalakon (Ogbolakon) or King Otuo was the 17th-century warrior-king of Obolo (Andoni) people in the Eastern Niger Delta. He was unpopular for fighting against Bonny and their colonial allies. Her mother, princess Ariaunwa Okpok-Ogbolikan of Old Unyeada was recorded by history as the first Obolo (Andoni) Princess to rule as a monarch (Okaan-Ama) after the demise of her father, King Ikana Okpok of Edabiri dynasty in the 17th century. Princess Ariaunwa married Prince Ogbolaikon of Alabie now known as Agwut-Obolo and begat Otuo. In 1792, when Otuo became of age he was crowned as the King of Old Unyeada Kingdom.
Agwut-Obolo Town (Alabie) is literally interpreted in Obolo language as. Also, the tribal seat of the Obolo people. Located in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Agwut-Obolo is an ancient religious centre in the pre-colonial Eastern Niger Delta where the deity of "Yok-OBolo", the National god of the Obolo Nation is situated. Following the exit King Jaja of Opobo and his group from the Kingdom of Bonny in 1869 seeking refuge in Obolo (Andoni) Land, Jaja entered a traditional oath of allegiance to venerate the deity of " Yok-Obolo" at Agwut-Obolo or Alabie as condition of his acceptance into the Obolo territory.
Capital: Port Harcourt | |
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