Aro-Ibibio Wars

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=The Aro-Ibibio wars
partof=


caption=The act of Pre-Colonial Aro warriors
date=1630-1720 and 1720-1902
place=Southeastern Nigeria
casus=
territory=
result=The Arochukwu Kingdom is founded (1690-1720) and Aro Colonies form in Ibibioland (1700s-1902)
combatant1=Igbo and Akpa
combatant2=Ibibio
commander1=Osim and Akuma Nnubi, Oke Nnachi, Nnachi, Kakpokpo Okon, Agwu Inobia, etc.
commander2= Akpan Okon, Urunk, and other leaders
strength1=Unknown
strength2=Unknown
casualties1=Heavy
casualties2=Heavy

The Arochukwu conquest

For hundreds of years, the Ibibio lived between the Imo and Cross rivers. During their staying, they founded several states (Obong Okon Ita and Ibom) and had a strong cultural presence. Igbo migrants into what was to become Arochukwu, was led by Eze Agwu and his clan who came along starting in the early 17nth century due to the increasing population, land, trade, and retreat of the stiff Ibibio resistance in Southern Igboland. The Ibibios resisted these newcomers. When the Igbo slave Urunk-nta rebelled against his Ibibio master Urunk, skirmishes ensued. The Eze Awgu clan searched for ways to subdue the stiff Ibibio resistance. The Priest Nnachi from the Edda clan near Afikpo, was called for help. When he arrived, Nnachi and Eze Agwu supported Ulu Kakpokpo Okon of the Ibibio kingdom of Obong Okon Ita by marriage to an Igbo lady to help him overthrow Kakpokpo's brother the king Akpan Okon. The coup was heavily resisted which called for even more help. Through Nnachi's son Oke Nnachi, an Eastern Cross river group answered the call for help. They were known as the Akpa. These warriors and traders, had European guns which was new to the Aro territory. Being the Igbo allies, the Akpas were led by the royal Nnubi family. Osim and Akuma Nnubi led Akpa mercenaries to help fight against the Ibibios. Together with Igbo leaders, they conquered enough land for the clans after the final war with Ibibios (1690-1720). During the final battles, the Ibibio war leader was slain in Oror city state making it the home of all EzeAros. In Obinkita the remaining Ibibio warriors became prisoners and were judged making it the holder of the Ikeji festival. Though the Ibibios were defeated, they were assimilated. But at the end of the war, Osim and Kakpokpo were dead and suspected to be by the Igbo. To avoid strife, the Igbos gave the leadership tho Akuma who was crowned the first EzeAro (king). After his death, Nnachi's descendants took the throne starting with Oke Nnachi. The Arochukwu kingdom, was founded.

Aro Confederacy era in Ibibioland

During Arochukwu kingdom's rising, the slave trade became popular and the Aro Confederacy formed. Together, Aro and allied troops raided parts of Igbo and Ibibioland. The Aro and their Efik allies, sold many Ibibios and other groups as slaves to the Europeans.

The fall of the Aro Confederacy

During the last quarter of the 19th century, great tension arose between the Europeans and Aros. Mainly Britain was in this conflict since neighbouring German and Spanish colonies had little struggle with Aro presence or resistance. The British had planned on dividing and capturing Aro kingdoms and settlements throughout the Southern Nigerian colony. Fighting occurred as many British supporting towns were attacked. By 1901, the tensions were tensed. The Aro invasion of Obegu started the Anglo-Aro war. Benefits from the war were the enemies of the Aro, especially slaves and servants who were mainly Ibibios and Non-Aro Igbos. Also the Christians, who became saved, since they were either the poorest or were outcasts. And of course some rivals saw a chance for freedom of Aro terrorism like the Ibibio neighbours and rival Igbo clans. They were said to have known information on the British attack of Arochukwu beforehand. From November 1901, the British fought battles in Arochukwu and surrounding Aro territories. By 1902, the war was over and the Aro Confederacy collapsed. Some Aros accepted British conquest and Christianity in their land immediately after while others continued to resist.

See also

* Arochukwu
* Aro confederacy
* Akpa
*Aro history

External links

*http://www.aro-okigbo.com/history_of_the_aros.htm
*http://www.aronetwork.org/others/arohistory.html