Why Onitsha Has No Omu
Women in Igbo History: Omu Nwagboka (A Case Study) Why Onitsha Has No Omu In Western Igbo culture, the belief in the duality of masculine and feminine roles is embodied in the institution of the Omu (Queen Mother). The Omu is the female counterpart to the Obi in Western Igbo (Anioma) society. Omu Nwagboka served as the Omu of Onitsha from 1884 to 1890. She hailed from Ogbotu, in the Ogbendida village of the Umuezearoli lineage. Her appointment as Omu occurred during the reign of His Majesty, Obi Anazonwu. As Omu, Nwagboka led the women's ivory society known as Otu Ọdụ, a prestigious group of titled women permitted to carry elephant ivory, a privilege typically reserved for men in the Ọzọ society. She also headed the women's guild called Otu Ogene. The Omu wielded significant power in the town, controlling commercial activities, managing markets, regulating prices, and determining which foreign traders could operate in the markets. She was responsible for servicing market shrine...