Afenmai or Afemai is an ethnic language of the group of people living in the northern part of Edo State south geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
Afenmai or Afemai people occupy six local government areas of Edo state: Etsako West, with headquarters in Auchi, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Owan East, Owan West and Akoko Edo. These make up the Edo-North Senatorial District.
Afemai ethnic group is subdivided into different dialects, but people of this ethnicity generally speak and understand each other.
Afemai, is made of several kingdoms and clans (large villages/townships ruled traditionally by monarchs) and many of them seem to have their own oral versions of the origin of Afemai as well as its own starting point in history. Historical accounts claimed that they migrated from Benin, during the tyrannical rule of Oba Ewuare, who was the greatest warrior legend and the most outstanding king in the history of Benin Empire. “The title Ewuare (Oworuare), meaning it is cool or the trouble has ceased” and as a result the war is over. The title symbolizes an epoch of reconciliation, reconstruction and the return of peace among the warring factions in Benin between 1435-1440 AD.
It was shortly after this critical period of war that Akalaka and his two sons Ekpeye and Ogba migrated further southeast to first settle at Ula-Ubie, and subsequently other groups moved out of Benin City and migrated northward. However, has recently become clear that there were people living in Afemailand prior to the migration from Benin City.
Some of the most celebrated sons and daughters of Afemailand, past and present, are the late Pa Michael Imoudu, who was a foremost labour leader and founder of the Nigeria state, the late Chief Julius Momo Udochi the first Nigerian Ambassador to the United States,late Gen. George Agbazika Innih, who was one timeMilitary Governor of Bendel and Kwara States, Sir Pa Hudson Arikalume Momodu, MBE, was the leader of the National Labour Congress Union for the Nigerian War Workers Department of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (he received the ADC hands medal from His Excellency on behalf of the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II), Adams Oshiomhole, the past president of the Nigeria Labour Congress and now Governor of Edo State, Pa Johnson Jimoh Iyere, Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi,(chairman/ceo Africa Independent Television),Senator Franca Afegbua, first Nigeria female senator, Late Chief Inu Umoru, chairman/CEO, Setraco Ltd, Prince Tony Momoh, Peter Saba Oshiozekhai (retail magnate, philanthropist, and the first licensed pharmacist to be located in the Uzairue Clan), former Minister of Information and Culture, Commander Anthony Ikhazoboh, minister of sports and transport, Prince Fidelis Oyogoa (SNR) Acclaimed Former Tennis Coach at the Port Washington Academy who trained the likes of John McEnroe and Peter Fleming and Renowned Real Estate Developer (MAKU Holdings), Aret Adams GMD NNPC, Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe Ex-Chief Of General Staff and Ambassador Abdulaziz Garuba etc..
The Afemais do not have a central traditional ruler, but some of the prominent traditional institutions and rulers in Afemai land are the Okumagbe of Weppa Wanno (Agenebode), Ogieneni of Uzairue (Jattu),Aidonogie of south Ibie, Otaru of Auchi, Oba of Agbede, Otaru of Igarra, Oliola of Anegbette, Okumagbe of Luleha clan etc. Afemai have produced many illustrious personalities in both national and international levels.
Tourist attractions, which span the expanse of Afemai, are exemplified by the Ise Lake in Agenebode (Weppa Wanno clan) Etsakor East and the Somorika hills in Akoko Edo. Somorika hills consist of an extended expanse of hills crowned by massive boulders perched precariously on the summits of hills and alongside seemingly inadequate locations on the sides.
Some of the most important towns/clans in Afemai land are Agenebode(Weppa-Wanno), Weppa,Oshiolo,Emokwemhe Iviagbapue, Auchi, Afuze, Iviukwe,South Ibie, Agbede, Sabongida Ora, Igarra, Ekperi, Jattu, Fugar, Aviele, Okpella, Iviukhua, Ososo, Uzanu, Uzebba, Iviukhua, Weppa, Okpella, Okpekpe, Somorika etc.
The autonomous clans, towns, villages and kingdoms in Afemai land are currently administratively arranged as follows under the current six local government areas:
Aviawun (Iviawu) is one of the popular clan in Afemia.It is comprises of: 1 Unone 2 Arua 3 Ogbona 4 Iriakhor
Awun is the father of Unone Arua Ogbona Iriakhor and Awun migrated from Benin Kingdom and settle in the present Fugar. Unone and Arua make up the present Fugar.
The Origin of Aviawun Clan
Awun is said to be migrated from Benin Kingdom during the 15th Century and he leave Benin Kingdom because of iron hand the Oba of Benin was appliying on its subjects.He first settle at Jettu and the native of Jettu did not welcome him and he migrated eastward and settle in the present Fugar.It was said that when he arrives Fugar, he did not met any big treee and the only tree he met that can shade him and his family was not big enough. This particular tree is still exist to the present day.The tree is name AGBABO.It is a traditional tree and no Awun decendant is dear to cut of off the tree.It is a tourist centre and a traditional tree.