Aro-Ibibio Wars
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| The Aro-Ibibio wars | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Igbo and Akpa | Ibibio | ||||||
| Commanders | |||||||
| Osim and Akuma Nnubi, Oke Nnachi, Nnachi, Kakpokpo Okon, Agwu Inobia, etc. | Akpan Okon, Urunk, and other leaders | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Heavy | Heavy | ||||||
Contents |
[edit] The Arochukwu conquest
For hundreds of years, the Ibibio lived between the Imo and Cross rivers. During their staying, they founded several states and had a strong cultural presence. Igbo migrants into what was to become Arochukwu, was led by Eze Agwu came along starting in the early 17nth century due to the increasing population, land, trade, and perhaps the retreat of Ibibio resistance in Southern Igboland. The Igbo clan of Eze Agwu dominated the Ibibio due to their numbers and the Ibibio resisted. When the Igbo slave Urunk-nta rebelled against his Ibibio master Urunk, skirmishes ensued. The Eze Awgu clan searched for ways to subdue the Ibibio. The Priest Nnachi from the Edda clan near Afikpo, was called for help. When arrived, Nnachi and Eze Agwu supported Ulu Kakpokpo Okon of the Ibibio kingdom of Obong Okon Ita by marriage to an Igbo lady to help in an overthrow of Kakpokpo's brother the king Akpan Okon. The coup was heavily resisted which called for even more help. Through Nnachi's son Oke Nnachi, an Eastern Cross river group answered the call for help. They were known as the Akpa. These warriors and traders, had European guns which was new to the Aro territory and a lot more advanced then the used iron and wood made weapons used by inhabits. Being the Igbo allies, the Akpas were led by the royal Nnubi family. Osim and Akuma Nnubi led Akpa mercenaries to help fight against the Ibibios. Together with Igbo leaders, they conquered enough land for the clans after the final war with Ibibios (1690-1720). During the final battles, the Ibibio war leader was slain in Oror city state making it the home of all EzeAros. In Obinkita (A city state named after Ibibios who were considered dogs to the other Aro people) the remaining Ibibio warriors became prisoners and were judged making it the holder of the Ikeji festival. The wars clearly ended from that final major battle but Ibibio presence was still in the Aro region though many refugees fled and the survivors were used as slaves. But at the end of the war, Osim and Kakpokpo were dead and suspected to be by the Igbo. To avoid strife, the Igbos gave the leadership tho Akuma who was crowned the first EzeAro (king). After his death, Nnachi's descendants took the throne starting with Oke Nnachi. The Arochukwu kingdom, was founded.
[edit] Aro Confederacy era in Ibibioland
During Arochukwu kingdom's rising, the slave trade became popular and the Aro Confederacy formed. Together, Aro and allied troops raided all over Igbo and Ibibioland. The Aro presence in Ibibioland, was dense and together with Efik allies, they occupied and controlled the Ibibio. They sold many Ibibios as slaves to the Europeans. Their greatest weapons was Ibini Ukpabi and their military power. This was a bad time for Ibibio people.
[edit] The fall of the Aro Confederacy
During the last quarter of the 19th century, great tension arose between the Europeans and Aros. Mainly Britain was in this conflict since neighbouring German and Spanish colonies had little struggle with Aro presence or resistance. The British had planned on dividing and capturing Aro kingdoms and settlements throughout the Southern Nigerian colony. Fighting occurred as many British supporting towns were attacked. By 1901, the tensions were tensed. The Aro invasion of Obegu started the Anglo-Aro war. Benefits from the war were the enemies of the Aro, especially slaves and servants who were mainly Ibibios and Non-Aro Igbos. Also the Christians, who became saved, since they were either the poorest or were outcasts. And of course some rivals saw a chance for freedom of Aro terrorism like the Ibibio neighbours and rival Igbo clans. They were said to have known information on the British attack of Arochukwu before hand. From November 1901, the British fought battles in Arochukwu and surrounding Aro territories. By 1902, the war was over and the Aro confederacy collapsed. Many Aros died while slaves were now freed and Christians helped rebuild the war torn Arochukwu. Aro pagans had to accept British conquest and Christianity in their land.
