Brief History Of Nnewi

Nnewi is the second largest city in Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. Nnewi as a metropolitan city encompasses two local government areas, Nnewi North and Nnewi South; Nnewi North is commonly referred to as Nnewi central, and
comprises four autonomous quarters: Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewi-ichi. Nnewi North also
includes Ichi, an autonomous neighbouring town.
The first indigenous car manufacturing plant in Nigeria is located in the city [3] while the first wholly made-in-Nigeria motorcycle, the 'NASENI M1' was manufactured in Nnewi.[4] As of 2006, Nnewi has an estimated population of
391,227 according to the Nigerian census. The city spans over 1,076.9 square miles (2,789 km2) in Anambra State.[5] Nnewi Metropolitan Area and its satellite towns is home to nearly 2.5 million
residents As of 2005. Dimensionally, Nnewi has an
edge over all other units, being recognized by the
1953 census figures as the largest inland town of all others in the Eastern states of Nigeria.[6] History In Nnewi oral history and mythology, the 'ewi' (Igbo: bush rat) played a great role in saving the founders of Nnewi during wars. Throughout its history, Nnewi has used its military might to
maintain its borders and because of this, the killing
or eating of ewi in Nnewi is forbidden to the
present day. Nnewi existed as an independent
kingdom from the 15th century to 1904, when British colonial administration occupied the kingdom. Nnewi kingdom was founded on four quarters
(large villages), namely Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and Nnewichi. Each village was divided into family units
called 'umunna'. Each umunna had a first family known as the 'obi'.[7] These four quarters were these original names of
the Sons of Edo: Otolo being the elderest and
Nnewichi being the youngest of the sons.Obi of Nnewi The Place of Nnewi in Igbo History Originally when the Igbos or Ibos settled in the
present day Eastern Nigeria, they arrived with
three leader two were spiritual leaders and the
youngest of the three a hereditary King known as Obi a King by birthright. The first was the Eze Nri of Awka a Priest King, the second the Eze Aro of Arochukwu a Priest King and the third the Obi of Nnewi a political and war ruler. The Obi Nnewi enthroned the Obi of Onitsha as an Obi an upgrade from is former title Eze of Onitsha in the 1740s. The Obi of Onitsha was well qualified to become an Obi
being disputably the first among the two sons of
the Oba of Benin. The Onitsha people are visitors
and later settlers in Igbo land. The Aros know this history (Nnewi being a relation and a leader among
the Igbos) and this part of the reason there are no Aro settlements in Nnewi. The Obi of Nnewi Obi Okoli in1780s lost his stool when inside palace politics that hinged on tradition edged him out.
Traditional royal law had it that the Crown Prince
must perform the funeral rights of the late Obi
before he can be crowned, Obi Okoli was absent
and arrived home only after the late Obi Okoli 1st
was buried. His Uncle (The late Obi Okoli the 1st younger brother) performed the funeral rights in
his stead and took over as Igwe Nnewi he could not be enthroned as an Obi (which means the first
son). The Obi Okoli royal linage was forced into
exile, they got refuge at Umune-Alam in Umudim,
Nnewi where they still are to this day. The Obi Okoli
family still bears the Ofor Nnewi till this day. Edo is the supreme deity of all the Alusi (Igbo: deity) in the Anaedo country. The central shrine of
this unifying Alusi is at Nkwo Nnewi, the central
Market. There are four other deities in Nnewi: Ana,
Ezemewi, Eze and Ele. Christianity was introduced
by the Europeans in 1885 and many Nnewi people
now practise Christianity. Nnewi, Ichi and Oraifite made up the Anaedo state. Anaedo communities
have common ancestries, beliefs and traditional
value systems. Nnewi is a major trading and
manufacturing centre in Nigeria. Due to its high
commercial activities, the city has attracted
millions of migrants from other states and countries. The Ofala Nnewi is a cultural festival held every
year to celebrate the coronation of the Igwe of
Nnewi. Afiaolu ( New yam festival ) and Ikwuaru are also among traditional festivals held annually in
Nnewi. Nnewi Kingdom is also known as Anaedo
meaning the Land of Gold (The supreme deity and goddess of Nnewi).