Abiriba

Abiriba is a town in Abia State, Nigeria.
Abia State is one of the 36 states in Nigeria--geographically southeast, tribally an Igbo land, and naturally blessed with oil/petroleum. Abiriba is in Ohafia Local Government.

Common Abiriba names include: Kalu, Emole, Nnenna "Nina", Nwanne, Agwu, Agbai, Opie,Ugbelu,Aluba,Akwari, Nnanna, Otisi, Mang, Ndukwo, Obasi, Ukegbu, Nduka, Inyiri, Dike and Ikwuagwu. It is a common Abiriba naming tradition for parents to name their first rightfull son "ie if u married the mother as tradition demand" after their father and the first daughter after their mother.

While naming traditions are paternal-oriented (naming children towards their paternal lineage, just like anywhere around the world), Abiriba is a matrilineal society where descent is traced through the mother's family like-wise the line of inheritance whereby, children do not inherit their father's property but rather the mother's side.

Small London

Abiriba is popularly known as Small London. The Abiriba people are known to be industrous both in crafts and merchandise, this could be attributed to their arid lands which makes it tough for agriculture to flourish. These made them so popular amongst the Igbo people of Nigeria. As a matter of fact, in the history of the Igbos of Nigeria, Abiriba is reckoned for her pre-historical black smithing and sculpture artifacts (IKPU UZU). These ancient occupation of the Abiriba people later on metamorphosed into what is today the trademark of the people - Trading (or better merchandise) popularly known among Abiriba People as 'IKPU UZU'.Since the people where predominantly merchants, that made them to be widely travelled both within and outside the shores of Nigeria, and as result, they are very properous and exposed. Being so exposed and prosperous, the people have enough information about vogue and money that made them transform their locality from the normal village setting, as is common with the surrounding villages, to a model urban setting with some of the most exotic building in the Igbo land, even in Nigeria as a whole. This particular fit gave Abiriba the enviable name of SMALL LONDON. The people are also known for some of their unique dishes. Among other foods such as rice, yam, beans, and garri (cassava), "Asusu" is a very common dish among the Abiriba people. It is made of corn starch. Grounded and baked, asusu is eaten with a popular vegetable soup called Ugbogho.

Abiriba is governed using a monarchichal system. The "Eze" (The King or Monarch) is called Enachieoken. This office is currently occupied by Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu IV.

Special tree

At the heart of Abiriba--the very center of the town--is a large, ancient tree "Okpu Achi" (Achi tree). The tree is both symbolic and spiritual in nature; and many believe that in the event of its fall, water from Okpu Achi would engulf the entire Abiriba land. Legend also has it that the Ishimokoto River [ [http://www.wku.edu/~johnston.njoku/arochukwu/abiriba/page_five/ Abiriba Continued ] ] is so mystical that when foreigners tried to leave town with a bottle of water from the river--the bottle broke apart and the water flew miles back to the river.

References

[1] . Newsbearer Weekly Vol. 6. No. 11. July 16th, 2007 pages 33 - 37.

* http://aciu.org/ourhistory.html