Ukwuani

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Ụkwụànì (sometimes spelt Ụkwànì) is a language spoken in parts of Delta and Rivers States in Nigeria notably Abbi, Aboh, Afor, Akoku, Amai, Ndoni, Onuabo, Ashaka, Ebedei, Emu, Ejeme Aniogo, Ezionum, Eziokpor, Kwale, Ndemili, Obiaruku, Owa Alizomor, Obetim Uno, Obiakambu, Obikwele, Owa Alidima, Sovie, Umuaja, Umuleke Ossissa, Utagba, Umutu, Onicha Ukwuani, Ike Onicha,Amoji,Ibabu, ugiliamai,Obiofu,Obinomba, Eweshi,Obiukpo,Obiezemili,Iselegu,Utchi,Abragada,Umuebu, Umuseti, Ushie,Akpuafor,Ogume,UMUKWATA, and Utagba.

Azagba, Umuolu and Okpokirika

Contents

[edit] People

The Ndokwa of today is made up of the Ndosimili and the Ukwani extracts. Ndosimili are people living within the water terrin (literally meaning; water people) while Ukwani literally means Nde-Ukwu-ani or the upland people. The names are derived from their geographical locations.

[edit] Language

The Ụkwụànì language is related to several languages in the Niger Delta region which are collectively called Delta Ibo. The Ndokwa people of today distinctively speaks two related languages; Aboh language and the Central Ukwuani language. The two languages are relatively alike and sounds like the Ibo language. The Ndosimili people speaks Aboh while the Nde-Ukwu-ani people speaks Ukwuani language.

[edit] Economy

The Ukwuani people are notably peasant farmers, growing crops like cassava, yams, plantain, mellon, okra etc. Those living in communities transversed by rivers and creeks are additionally engaged in fishing.

Rubber and palm oil extraction have been the major source of huge income for the Ukwani speaking people since the colonial era till date. These activities are drastically dwindling due to falling market prices, huge migration of productive youths to major cities like Warri, Port Harcourt, and Lagos, and increased hydrocarbon exploration and production activities in the areas. However, the area boasts of the presence of one of the biggest agricultural field in Delta and Rivers States that is the Utagba Uno rubber plantation presently managed by Michellin.

Italian giant AGIP has built and commissioned the first Independent Power Plant (IPP) by an oil producing company in Nigeria at Kwale. The people pride themselves with the peaceful environment that enabled the successful installation and commissioning of the plant. Indeed the Ukwuani people have been known to be one of the least hostile host communities in Niger Delta.

Indigenously, the people are also involved in weaving of baskets, foundering and sculpture (known as Okpu-Uzo).

The Ukwuani are widely known for their Ukwani Music, with artists like world-renowned trumpeter and highlife maestro Charles Iwegbue, Ali Chukwuma, Chris Hanem,King Ubulu, Rogana, Harmony Kings,Steady Arobi, Orji Moore, Eric Enuma, Chuks Igba, etc, that entertain a wide spectrum of Nigerians from the border states of Cross Rivers to Lagos and to the northern states of Abuja and Kano. The Ukwuani Music can be arguably described as the biggest influence the Ukwuani people have over their neighbours, as some of these neighbours adopt Ukwuani Music as their known and acceptably traditional music.

[edit] Social

Ukwuani people are very social among themselves forming community unions and clubs to create a forum to fraternise with each other, wherever they live even in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Festivals and celebrations are widely held by communities, unions, clubs, and age-grade associations.

Marriage and burial rites are also often highly celebrated like in other Nigerian ethnic groups.

[edit] Religion

They are mostly Christians; huge Catholic congregations are found in Obiaruku, Ashaka, Obinomba, Umutu and Kwale where Catholic missionaries established churches and elementary schools in the colonial era. Protestant faithfulls are similarly present.

Traditional pagan worshippers still exist in nearly all the communities, while they are few or no Muslims among the Ukwuani people.

[edit] External links

idol worship 65%, catholicism 20% Protestants 10%, others 5%