Ukwuani

Ụkwụànì (sometimes spelt Ụkwànì) is a Igbo or Ibo language spoken in parts of Delta and Rivers states in Nigeria.

People

The Ndokwa of today is made up of the Ndosimili and the Ukwani people. Ndosimili are people living within the swampy lowland terrain (their name literally translates as 'water people') while Ukwani means Nde-Ukwu-ani or 'the upland people'. The names are derived from their geographical locations.

Language

The Ụkwụànì language is related to several languages in the Niger Delta region which are collectively called Delta Ibo or Delta Igbo.The Ndokwa people of today speak two related Anioma/Delta Ibo languages: Aboh and Central Ukwuani.The Ndosimili people speak Aboh while the Nde-Ukwu-ani people speak Ukwuani.

Economy

Many Ukwuani people are big-time farmers, growing crops such as cassava, yams, plantain, melon, corn, pepper, etc. Those living in communities traversed by rivers and creeks also fish.

Rubber and palm oil extraction have been the major source of income for the Ukwani speaking people. These activities are waning due to falling market prices, migration of youths to major cities, and increased hydrocarbon exploration and production activities in the areas. The area boasts one of the biggest agricultural fields in the Delta and Rivers States--the Utagba Uno rubber plantation presently managed by Michellin.

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

Indigenous arts include basket weaving, metalwork and sculpture (known as Okpu-Uzo).

The Ukwuani are widely known for their music, with artists such as Charles Iwegbue, Ali Chukwuma, Chris Hanem, King Ubulu, Prince Smart Williams Achugbue, Rogana, Harmony Kings, Steady Arobi, Orji Moore, Eric Enuma, and Chuks Igba. The Ukwuani nusic is one of the main influences the Ukwuani people have had over their neighbours, as some of these neighbours adopt Ukwuani music as their own traditional music.

ocial

Ukwuani people are a socially tightly-knit group; they often form community unions and clubs to create a forum to socialize with each other, whether they live in North America, Europe, or Asia. Festivals and celebrations are widely held by communities, unions, clubs, and age-grade associations.

Marriage and burial rites are also often highly celebrated in this Anioma ethnic group, just as other Nigerian ethnic groups do.

Religion

The country is largely Christian; huge Catholic congregations are found in Obiaruku, Ashaka, Obinomba, Umutu and Kwale where Catholic missionaries established churches and elementary schools in the colonial era. Protestants are also common.

Traditional worship still takes place in nearly all the communities, and there is a small Muslim minority.

External links

* [http://www.ethnologue.org/show_language.asp?code=ukw Ethnologue entry]
* [http://www.ndokwa.20m.com Ndokwa on the web]