The Aro people or Aros are an Igbo group that originated from the Arochukwu kingdom in present-day Abia state, Nigeria. The Aros can also be found in about 250 other settlements mostly in the Southeastern Nigeria and adjacent areas. The Aros today are classified as Eastern or Cross River Igbos because of their location, mixed origins, culture, and dialect. Their god, Chukwu Abiama, was a key factor in establishing the Aro Confederacy as a regional power in the Niger Delta and Southeastern Nigeria during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Origins and history

The history of the Aros predates Igbo migration and founding of the kingdom of Arochukwu. During the Bantu expansion, a group of Proto bantu migrated to the area and established the Mbot Abasi Kingdom. The Proto bantu group originally came from Usak Edet (Isanguele), a segment of the Ejagham in present-day Southern Cameroon. Igbo migrations led by Eze Agwu from Abiriba and Nnachi from Edda migrated into the Aro region started in the mid-17th century. These Igbo migrants were resisted by the indigenous proto Ibibios. The Aro-Ibibio Wars and the migration of the Akpa from east of the Cross River, formed the nation during the turning point of the 17th century to the 18th century. The Efik were originally from the Ibom Kingdom and might have left before or during the Aro-Ibibio Wars. By this time, the palm oil and slave trade was popular in the hinterland. By the mid-18th century, there were mass migrations of Aro businessmen to the Igbo hinterland and adjacent areas. This migration, influence of their god Chukwu Abiama through priests, and their military power supported by alliances with several related neighboring Igbo and eastern Cross River militarized states (particularly Ohafia, Abam, Ihechiowa, Abiriba, Nkporo, Afikpo, Ekoi, etc.) quickly established the Aro Confederacy as a regional economic power. However, Aro economic hegemony was threatened by the penetration of Europeans, mainly British colonists towards the end of the 19th century. Tensions finally led to bloodshed, and the Anglo-Aro war took place from 1901 to 1902. The Aro Confederacy stoutly resisted but eventually suffered defeat. This helped the British to occupy the rest of what became Eastern Nigeria.

Tradition One factor is the Ekpe society, which is a sacred society originally from east of the Cross River. The highly religious and judicial society took a major part in Aro society. The use of the writing system, Nsibidi, was based on secret societies like Ekpe. Uri, another writing system, occurred mostly in the form of body art.

Another factor is the Chukwu Abiama Temple, which was mediated by the Aro priesthood. They influenced neighbors and allies before the British invasion and destruction of the Chukwu Abiama Temple and Aro priesthood. The Ekeleke masquerade activity was important in Aro settlements. Brought from the Aros in the western Niger Delta, it eventually spread to the Oguta area. They also were known for wearing the popular "George" cloth. The Ikperikpe warrior dance was very famous among warriors in the old days and continues to be in use.

Largest settlements in Western Africa Name Town/LGA State/Country Notes Notable People Aro Ajatakairi Ikwuano Abia State, Nigeria Aro Achara Isialangwa Abia State, Nigeria Aro Okporoenyi Bende Abia State, Nigeria Aro Ayama Ikwuano Abia State, Nigeria Late Mazi (Sir) Ugochukwu Kanu and late Col. Okoro Aro Amuro Ikwuano Abia State, Nigeria Aro Ngwa Abia State, Nigeria Aro Ama-Asa Isialangwa Abia State, Nigeria Aro Umunkpeyi Isialangwa Abia State, Nigeria Aro Nbawsi Isialangwa Abia State, Nigeria Aro Omoba Isialangwa Abia State, Nigeria Aro UmuEru Isialangwa Abia State, Nigeria Aro UmuAro Isialangwa Abia State, Nigeria Aro Onicha Ngwa Aro Isuochi Abia State, Nigeria Aro Ahuma Abam Abia State, Nigeria Aro Nde Ijere Ohafia Abia State, Nigeria Aro Uzuakoli Abia State, Nigeria Aro Ndizuogu Ideato, Okigwe and Onuimo LGAs Imo State, Nigeria Largest Aro settlement Izuogu Mgbokpo, Igwegbe Odum, Mbonu Ojike Aro Ndi Ikerionwu Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Anwu AnwuEziukwu Durunnihe, Umudurunna, Abba Nwangele LGAImo state, NigeriaDirect bloodline of DurunniheThe Royal House of Nnawuihe; Chidiebere Nnawuihe Aro Ajali Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Azia Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Abagana Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Ndi-Owu Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Ikpa Enugu State, Nigeria Aro Amokwe Udi Enugu Enugu State, Nigeria Aro Ezeagu Enugu State, Nigeria Aro Achi Enugu State, Nigeria Aro Nkalagu Enugu State, Nigeria Aro Okposi Ebonyi State, Nigeria Aro Onueke Ezza Ebonyi State, Nigeria Aro Nsukka Ebonyi State, Nigeria Aro Nzerem Ebonyi State, Nigeria Aro Ikwo Ebonyi State, Nigeria Aro Ndi okoro Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Aro Ikot Ukana Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Aro Obuoro ite Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Aro Idoma Benue State, Nigeria Ukpabi of Ochu Idoma Aro Nde Ikokwo-Uli Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Ndi Egungwu-Uli Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Ubuluisiuzo-Ihiala Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Umuezeawara-Ihiala Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Iseke-Iheala Aro izzi Ebonyi State, Nigeria Aro Amuro-Okigwe Imo State, Nigeria Aro ndi-Okparaeze-Orumba North Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Umudike-Ikwuano Abia State, Nigeria Aro oji/Aro Ndeokoroji, na Aro Ndinwafor-Okigwe Imo State, Nigeria Aro Nike-Nike Enugu State, Nigeria Aro Amawom-Eziala-Isialangwa Abia State, Nigeria Aro Azia-Ihiala Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Ikwo Ebonyi State, Nigeria Aro Effium Ohaukwu LGA Ebonyi State, Nigeria Aro Isu na Aro onichi-Onicha LGA Ebonyi State, Nigeria Aro Uburu Ohazara LGA Ebonyi State, Nigeria Aro Abakaliki na Aro Ezillo Ebonyi State, Nigeria Aro Nkerefi Nkanu East LGA Enugu State, Nigeria Aro Umulolo-Okigwe Imo State, Nigeria Aro Nkalunta na Nde Totty na Aro Oboro Ikwuano Abia State, Nigeria Aro Ndi itee na Nde Okereke Abam - Arochukwu LGA Abia State, Nigeria Aro Ndi okpalaeke na Ndi Aguluezechukwu Aguata LGA Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Ndi Akweke Orsumogho Ihiala Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Ndi Oji Ukpor/Ihembosi Aro Ozubulu Anambra State, Nigeria Aro Itu-Nta Ibere Ikwuano Umuahia LGA Abia State, Nigeria Aro Ikot Ukana Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Aro Onicha Ngwa Ìsì ala Ngwa Abia State, Nigeria Aro Ntalakwu Bende Abia State, Nigeria Aro Mbala-Isuochi Abia State, Nigeria Aro Ikot Umo Essien Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Aro Onicha Ngwa Abia State, Nigeria Aro Udi Enugu State, Nigeria Aro Effium Aro Isuikwuato Aro Uturu Okigwe Aro Amaokwe Aro Itu-Nta Ibere Ikwuano Abia State, Nigeria Aro Eziala Nsulu Isiala Ngwa Abia State, Nigeria Nde Ujah in Atani Aro Mbiabong Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Nde Akweke, Obinkita

Arochukwu Aro Confederacy Ezi Njoku History

References

General references

https://web.archive.org/web/20071009081317/http://www.aronetwork.org/others/ibini.html https://web.archive.org/web/20070322182431/http://www.aronetwork.org/others/index.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20060212061924/http://africanevents.com/AroChuku2003AnnualDinner.htm