Eziorsu is a community on the South bank of the Oguta Lake, southeastern Nigeria. Its one of the foremost territories that witnessed western or European expedition during colonization and used as a gateway by the British to advance the Igboland further. As at the 1991 census in Nigeria, the population of Eziorsu was estimated at 14,560. It is one of the Oil and Gas producing communities in Imo State, being the second largest producing community in Oguta L.G.A after Izombe. The community promised to continue to protect and support Addax Petroleum at all times, especially as the Company remained the best partner to the communities in terms of best practices in corporate social responsibility.
Contents
Located in the equatorial rainforest region, it is enormous importance to the state, being major stable food producers in the state, producing yam, cassava, maize, palm oil etc.
History
Some of the communities in the Oguta area such as Orsu (known as Orsu Ogbahu, Orsu Oko, or Eziorsu) traced their migration from Ancient kingdom of Benin. That was about the early 16th century. The migration became very inevitable following the series of inter and intra communal wars in which the Benin kingdom engaged in to enlarge their dynasty and for the purpose of wielding greater economic And political power. Furthermore, the ironhanded reign of Oba Ewuare the Great and his successor, Oba Esigie, precipitated the move, which affected many other communities including Onicha (Onitsha), Ado, Ogbaru, Ase, Ogba, epkeye to mention but a few.
Evidence of this migration from Benin can be traced to the fact of many words in Eziorsu pronounced and having same meaning or responsibility are still being used as integral words of Eziorsu language and tradition. Moreover some traditional titles and common names similar in meaning and pronunciation in Benin, Onitsha, Ogbaru and others still exist, e.g. Iyasara, ASjie, Ogene, Umudei, Oba etc.
There are ten distinct villages in Eziorsu, arising from the seven sons of Orsu and others that divided amongst these seven sons:
Tradition
Eziorsu Authonomous community have distinct tradition as could be seen in the following.
Marriage
- First Official visit (Ibu Nmayi nzunzu)
- Ije mara uzo
- Ibu nmayi Nne na Nna
- Ibu nmayi obi ukwu
Marriage payments
- Aku ishi nwanya
- Ego nde okei
- Ego Umu Ada
- Ego Umuokorobia na Umu agbo
Brides Parents Responsibility
- Nri oyinwanya
- Ihu onu aku
- Idu nwanyi
Funeral
New Yam (Ogene) Festival
- Ogene nkirika
- Ogene oma
Owu (Okoroshi) Festival: This festival marks the beginning of planting season and the end of harvest season, using Yam as the major crop of significance.
Traditional institution
The Eziorsu community have an organized and revered traditional institution, The head of the community being the Eze-Igwe of Eziorsu, whose rulership is not by election of humans or selection but hinges on selection by the gods and dead elders of the community, usually from the royal villages of Dei ( Ezeocha, Aranze and Ndanike. Seconded by the Onowu who hails from the Iyasara village, and the king maker. Other traditional portfolios included: Omodi Eze, Okike yiri Eze, Amadi, Oyiri Nzere, Ajie, Opkara etc.