Illah is a calm, beautiful town located at the bank of River Niger in Oshimili North local Government Area of Delta state, Nigeria.
Illah dates back to the 10th century. The earliest settlers were five brothers:
1. Edem
2. Nwabukwu
3. Utei
4. Agwu
5. Iyagbo
This is the origin of the popular Abi-ise Allah. (Where all the Illah decent emanate from)
They dwelled in a waterlogged area called Omorka, after a period, they realized Omorka was not conducive for them, they decided to move up land to the place where Illah is situated presently.
Illah was once inhabited by the people of Ukala and history has it that the Ukala people were disengaged in a bloodless battle by Agwu one of the five brothers of Omorka. After conquering the Ukala decent in the present day Illah, Agwu automatically inherited amongst other things, Ofor Ani (Staff of the land), Ani Ukala (Land of Ukala) which is known in this present day as Ani Allah (Land of Allah) and have been in the possession of the Illah decent till this present day.
Agwu had four sons namely, Ozue, Egini, Iyama and Edem. These four sons are the progenitors of the present-day Ogbe-Obi quarters (clan), the head of Umuagwu village in Illah.
Illah has nine villages which are.
1. Umutedem
2. Ajayi
3. Umutei
4. Umuagwu
5. Ukwumege
6. Ukpologwu
7. Ogbe-olu
8. Ogbe-orji
9. Onyah
There are two distinct groups that co-exists in Illah, which makes them unique in their own way, these groups are Umueze and Azanomah.
The Umuezes are pure royals and the rulership of Illah kingdom rests on their shoulders, their clan produces from time to time, individuals that fill the positions of Ogbelani Allah (King of Illah), Omu Allah (Queen Mother of Illah) and Onoi Allah (Custodian of the tradition of the Illah). While the Azanomahs are the custodians of the masquerades (Nmoh) and everything that relates to them to achieve entertainment in the land.
The Azanomah is an aide to the Ogbelani Allah (king of Illah). This is historic, as the position is dated back to the reign of the first Ogbelani Allah of Illah Kingdom (HRM. Obi Igbo Ezeh) who commenced his reign with the foremost Masquerade (Nmoh) Onoko of Asaga village as aide and entertainer.
Hence, it is pertinent to conclude that Agwu (Ogbe-Obi) through the first Ogbelani Allah of Illah, HRM Obi Igbo Ezeh who ruled the illah people from 1650 – 1700, is the pillar upon which the undiluted historical accuracy of Illah is built.
HRM, Obi Igbo Ezeh brought the kingship from his mother’s side. History has it that when he was crossing the river Niger, his boat capsized and he had to swim to a tree, called Orji (Iroko) tree and held on to it. Since the Orji (Iroko) tree saved his life, HRM Obi Igbo Ezeh acknowledged the tree as his life saver and decided to Use that tree as a landmark, and this Orji (Iroko) tree still stands close to the oldest Catholic church in Illah town till date.
The present day Ogbelani Allah of Illah kingdom is HRM Obi Sylvester Enecheziam Jugai. As Illah custom and tradition demands, there are other kings in the waiting, who are ascendency to the Ogbelani Allah position after the passing of the present Ogbelani Allah and this selection is done by seniority, using age as a criterion for eligibility.
Gerontocracy is the process used in selecting the Ogbelani in Illah. After the passing of a king, none of his sons, according to custom and tradition is allowed to take over the throne, as there are five royal houses which the King emerges from, namely Edem, Agwu, Utei, Nwabukwu, Iya-gbo clans of the Illah kingdom.
Aside the present king, there are other ruling Obi’s who rule the other afore-mentioned houses and the oldest becomes the next Ogbelani Allah when the king joins his ancestors in the great beyond.
The process of crowning the Obi (King) commences by consultation at the Iru-ani Shrine, which is usually a long process. The staff of the king (Okwor Obi) will be transferred from the late Obi to the next. Then, early in the morning, a male goat is slaughtered, drinking and feasting is done and then later in the evening a female goat is slaughtered.
The present Diokpa (the eldest man in the kingdom) is Chief Elder Okowanchi Gabriel Onyemah
In the Ogbelani Allah’s palace, there is an arranged sitting position for officers and chieftain, this is represented as follows.
Ogbelani – Sits majestically at a central position in the palace.
Other Obi’s – Sits according to seniority by age on Ogbelani’s right hand side.
Omu (Queen Mother) – Sits after the Obis’
Umuisi Allah (Head of the villages) – These are the Diokpas (eldest men) of the nine villages in Illah. They sit at the left-hand side of the Ogbelani according to seniority.
Onoi Allah (Chief messenger to the Ogbelani) – Sits on the left very close to the Ogbelani but not facing where the Ogbelani faces.
Odogwu Allah (Warlord) – Sits on the right-hand side after the Omu
The history of Illah as it relates to Ogbe-Obi would not be complete without mentioning Umu-Akpashi quarters of Umutei village and Ogbe-Otobi quarters of Ukwumege village.
The Akpashis are traditionally responsible for decorating an Obi’s crown during the coronation process. The role was assumed from the first Ogbelani of Illah and upheld till date in a recently decided matter in Akwukwu-Igbo high court.
Ogbe-Otobi holds in trust, Illah’s admonished deity called Otobi. The Otobi community are the progenitors of Edem, Nwabukwu, Utei and Agwu. Their mission to help integrate Edaiken and raise alarm should he (the Edaiken) attempt to leave, was well accomplished till this day in Illah Kingdom.
NOTABLE PRACTICES IN THE PALACE OF THE OGBELANI ALLAH OF ILLAH
When you visit the palace as a visitor, it is very important you go to the palace with kola nuts and a bottle of hot drink. (The afore mentioned items are very important when visiting a royalty or any palace). In Illah, they present their kola first before visitors present theirs.
The Diokpa (the eldest man in the palace) who sits beside the king, is given a kola to pray for the everyone and the land, after which the king is the next to say his prayers. The kola is broken and then shared to everyone, first the Diokpa (eldest man in the place) is given his piece, then the king next, before others, according to hierarchy, then the visitors. Unlike other tribes, the Illah people surprisingly gives women kola.
Next to be given out is the drink, the Diokpa takes it and prays and drinks it. The king takes the alcohol and drops small on the small stool he places his feet on. Then elders are given to drink too before visitors. After he shares the drink, he greets the king and elders.
Visitors are given a full kola nut, as a symbol of acceptance and peace by the Illah people during the prayer process with Kola nuts and hot drink.
HOUSE OF EDAIKEN OF ILLAH
Edaiken was a prince and heir apparent to the throne of the Oba of Benin Kingdom, he was the founder of Ukwu-aga now Ukwumege village of Illah. He left Benin originally in search of his brother Onitsha after he was disqualified from becoming the next Oba of Benin because of a physical disability of his finger in the 15th century.
While on his quest, he settled across the river Niger and there he met a hunter Edem who understood multiple languages and was able to communicate with Edaiken fluently. They became friends and Edem told him about the terrorist activities of the Olu of Iza and his people (who were original settlers in Omorka at the bank of river Niger). Edaiken offered to help, and he led a battle against the people of Iza and presented the head of their Olu as a gift.
Irrespective of his victory they feared retaliation from the people of Iza and so they persuaded him to settle with them instead of going to look for his brother, Onitsha. After much persuasion from Edem he agreed to stay with them but opted on staying on the uplands because he was not used to swampy areas. He again led Edem and his brothers to an expedition to dispose the earlier settlers of Illah (the Ukala people)
After acquiring Illah, they made sure he stayed in the center of the town as an assurance that he won’t leave them and move on. He was offered kingship, but he rejected it as it seemed like a challenge to his younger brother who was the Oba of Benin as at then. The people of Illah made sure he was comfortable as they offered one person from the original four founders’ family to be at his service. He was offered the position of the Iyase of Illah (Prime minister and second in command to the paramount ruler). He demanded that his son should be the Odogwu, the Esama and Uwolor, these are positions of war generals, and these requests were granted. To cement his stay.
The original Omorka settlers voluntarily gave him charge to signal the beginning of the town’s new yam festival; usually held in September. This task involves him taking his Ukwumege people to the land where the battle of emancipation took place between the Omorka and Iza people. The procession is called Akpaibo and it’s reserved for only bonafide Ukwumege sons. He was given access to farm and hunt in any bush he desired.
FUNCTIONS OF THE IYASE OF ILLAH KINGDOM
1. Lifting and enthroning Obis (Kings)
2. He owns his own Agidigbo (royal drum) like a king
3. He owns Ozi (talking drum) like a king
4. He wins an Omu (Queen Mother)
5. He performs the Igor Okwor Allah annually on Akpaibo
(a.) Akpaibo ceremony is performed by the Iyase to kick start the new yam festival.
(b.) the Igor Okwor Allah ceremony, is performed once a year during the new yam festival and that is the only time, the Iyase is allowed to touch the Okwor (the king’s staff of authority)
6. He appoints his Odogwu Allah and head of Onu Otu (Cabinets of Odogwu)
7. Ika Nmoo (Mark the beginning of the new yam festival)
8. He is in possession and owns Ikenga Allah (The Iyase’s staff)
9. He owns an Ugela
10. He performs Idu-Olu (performing night curfew) ceremony like a king before other kings.
The present Iyase of Illah kingdom and head of the Okwumege clan is Ogbuenyi Mathias Okoji and he is the oldest man in Ukwumege clan presently.
DEITIES IN ILLAH
Iyi-Ukwu shrine for the goddess that controls river (water spirit). It is for the royal home, the entire town, and strangers. She offers protection to them.
Ogbe-obi has the Otobi shrine which the Eneaya family are the custodian. Sacrifices are made once a year in
Otobi shrine, although anyone can make sacrifices at other times during the year. The chief priestess is the only woman and only person who is allowed into the shrine. It protects the offspring of Illah. The peculiar thing about the Eneaya family is that they are the only family that are originally from Ogbe-obi (they are part of the four families that helped Edaiken).
Whenever a burial of a titled chief is held, it is expected that the burial procession goes to the entrance of each village and the only place you can sit to eat and drink, is at the Otobi shrine’s Ogwa (Ogwa is a meeting hall). This family do not pay bride price anytime they want to marry from any family in Illah kingdom.
SPECIAL PLACES IN ILLAH
Obodo Allah is the central place where masquerades come out to entertain the town. When the Ogbelani dies,
the town meets here, also when a titled person or a woman dies and the second burial is done, the Omu (Queen mother) comes to this central place, to pray to the dead and share edible sweets and biscuits to little children present. Ogbo-olu quarters which is a part of Illah visits Obodo Allah once a year when they celebrate Ocho festival.
Ikoko house is a small place where the Omu (Queen mother) and other women gather for meetings.
Ogwa in Afia-Illah (the market) is where dispute is settled among women.
Afia-Illah is the main market in Illah and although the market is open every day, its main market day comes every four days, where traders from all over Illah and other neighboring towns, come to trade. This day is known as Eke market day.
FACTS ABOUT THE ILLAH PEOPLE
Their major occupations are farming and fishing.
Their traditional meal is Pounded yam and Egusi soup or Ogbolo soup.
They are kind to visitors and very receptive.
Story Source – FONDCUP Team Edo state
Photo Credit – Grinde Spotlight Photography
