Emekukwu

Emekuku, correctly pronounced "Emeke Ukwu" is a town in Owerri North Local Government of Imo state in South-Eastern Nigeria.

"OMEE-KU-UKWU" is the correct Igbo name for this town, but it was anglicized "Emekuku" by the Colonial Masters. The town is located near the city of Owerri. It is also regarded as the birthplace of the Roman Catholic Church in the now Owerri Arch-diocese and Port Harcourt Diocese. Emekuku has 10 villages that make up the town, namely: Ezeogba, Ezedibia, Okwu Emeke, Akalovo, Umuakuru, Azara-owala, Azara-egbelu, Ubowala, Uboegbelu, and Umuocham.

There are two great rivers in Emekukwu: Okitankwo and Oramuru- ukwa. Emekuku people belong to a group of people generally referred to as 'Owerri people' sharing the same tonal dialect and similar cultures with this larger group. Nkwo Emeke is the biggest market in Emekuku land and trading activities peak on Nkwo days (Igbo calendar). Orie Nwinyi Emeke is another important market in Azara Egbelu one of the ten villages that make up the town. The most important festival in Emekuku town is called 'Ugu Uzo' Emeke. It is usually celebrated in the month of November of every year. Its celebration date is usually determined by the custodians of the tradition from Ezedibia village and communicated to a group of elders from the town known as 'Ndi Oha Emeke'. It is a celebration which starts with the clearing of the paths to each constituent community's stream and peaks with merry making, feasting and the chanting of an ancient song known as 'Nwa Uri ala'. Emekuku shares boundary with many autonomous communities viz: Emii, Mbaoma, Awaka, Ihitta Ogada, Enyiogugu Mbaise.

Some prominent people from Emekuku include: His Royal Highness Eze Ugochukwu P. Obi (III). Eze Peter Ugochukwu Obi is the current traditional ruler of the town. He is the third Obi (the Royal family) in order of succession to rule the town. Others include, Dr Sylvanus.O.Amaechi, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, Chief Innocent Ihenacho (aka. Risky), Chief Martin Agbaso, Most Rev.Dr A.J.V.Obinna-Archbishop of Owerri, Dr.Victor o. Anyaso, Dr. Mrs Kema Chikwe, Mr. Vincent Emeribe, Dr. Sebastian Okechukwu Mezu, Dame Comfort Obi, HE Ambassador Chigozie F. Obi-Nnadozie, Dr. (Engr.) Eze Megwa, Chief. Jude Abaso (Former Deputy Governor of Imo State),Sir jude Ejiogu (Secretary to Imo State Government), Hon. Paddy Obinna (Special Adviser Arts and Culture Imo State), Chief George Opara. Lolo Salomi Marwa, professor Gab osuji, Chief Henry Megwa, Professor Levi Ohale, Dr. Eronini R. Megwa, Dr. F Soribe, Late Nze Christopher Amadi, Late Min. Hon Raymond Amanze Njoku. Others include Hon. Simple Iheanyichukwu Ugorji, (Special assistant Operations Imo State Government) to mention but a few.

One of the interesting festivals from Emekuku village is called the Uguzo festival.The festival is a three week period of peace and festivities preceding the planting season. Usually it involves the clearing of all bushes and farm lands in preparation for the early rains. And because of communal living there must be cooperation among siblings, hence the necessity of peace. The period is marked with very sonorous singing and merriment, remarkable because the songs are mainly al capella and without instruments. The men sing and dance while clad in wrappers and shirts, while the women folk adorn beautiful wrappers and blouse and appear in very attractive hairstyles. The food usually eaten during this period is pounded yam and a brand of okro soup made with the oil bean slices. (locally called Ugba), though not every home is gifted with the tricky art of making this particular soup. The celebrations last for three weeks. In the last days seven of the ten villages take turns to host their kinsmen this is done in order of age, the youngest bringing the rear and hosting last, while making a particularly uncommon and different soup known locally as Pharra-Pharra. This soup is cooked only one day in a year and solely by this village. Its secret remains up till today. Though the Okro and oil bean soup is eaten by all comers, this particular soup is only eaten once every year by visitors to this village at the time of the festival.