Background of the Case study
According to Cambridge Dictionary defines "Hometown" as
the town or city that a person is from, especially the one in which they were born and lived while they were young:
From the definition above, Hometown can be refers as the root of an individual, where one is from. That one have right to live freely and inherited everything for free because nature blessed that one with those resources.
Being from there, means that one's both or one parent is from there. He is natural citizen or native there. He/she was born and bred there. That place must be geographically defined too.
Igbere - My Hometown.
Igbere is a suburban town in Bende Local Government Area of South eastern state of Abia State in Nigeria.
Etmologically, Igbere is refered as Igbere - Ebiri due to her origin. The People of Igbere can easily traced their origin to a great man known as Ebiri Okomoko that settled in the present locality. He travels with his household in the search of water, abundant food supply and refuge as that time, there's an high rate of inter-tribal wars.
Also, Igbere is nicknamed "A Land of greatness" or "Small London" due to its great personalities and great infrastructural development that elevated her above other surrounding villages and hamlets.
Politically, Igbere consist of 13 autonomous villages and several kindreds and homes with the population of over 1.5 million people that are related by blood and share the same language and cultural heritage. These 13 autonomous villages namely Amaukwu, Amakpo, Amaorji, Amaiyi, Agbodi, Amaofufe, Amankalu, Ibina Ukwu, Ibina Nta, Eziama, Ohumola, Umuisi, and Okafia have Kings that formed the Igbere clan council of Kings (i.e, Ndi Eze) while within each of those villages have respected elders (i.e, ndi Ezeogos)usually the oldest of kindred that make up that villages that serves their people under the authority of their king.
Tribe - Igbo
Igbere is th one of the Igbo communities that scatter around the south geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Igbo are hard-working, clever and industrious set of people whose language is unique and way of doing things.
Many notable individuals like the Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nnamdi Kanu, Odumegwu Ojukwu, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, TD Jake's, Rihanna, Okafor etc are Igbo people known worldwide. Igbos suffers a lot politically in the hands of other tribes of Nigeria and foreign power during the Nigerian civil war where over three millions were killed, including children that died of food, water and diseases. This widespread wanton killing and destruction of Igbo land still pains an average Igbo man and woman because they all have a fair share of that ugly incidents and have remain apolitically since then.
In Igboland, same as Igbere, The style of Political leadership is purely democratic where every male make their opinions and stood before other to convince others of his point. After, the king makes decision based on their general suggestions. At the palace during the meetings, everyone is makes their views stand out and women are not allowed in the meetings but forms a small gathering where they discuss freely too.
Language
Ndi Igbere (people of Igbere) speak a set of igboid language which is a dialect of igbo language. Although, Igbere as a town Shared boundaries with Abiriba, Item, Alayi, Ozuitem,Umuhu around her. These villages/town shares the same cultural heritage but their languages are specific different where only the people can differentiate it while foreigners hear them as the same language.
Food
Ndi Igbere enjoys wide range of delicacies. Igbere is an agriarian community that cultivates several root crops like cassava, yam, potatoes etc, vegetables, rice etc.
Igbere land have hills and fertile valley with several rivers like Igu river flooding the area that contributes high yield of crops in the area.
Ndi Igbere also rear animals of various kind. These animal serves as source of meat and raw material in the area. The forests called Ozara is a best place for gaming too.
Marriage And Burial Ceremonies
Ndi Igbere enjoys social ceremonies too. It's the main part of our culture. In the area of Marriage, Igbere hold it sacred and respect it a lot. It joins not only the two individuals but families, kindreds and communities closely. We believes mostly on extended type of family. Our marriage is mostly by arrangement where a man and woman get married without knowing each other but their families knows each other very well and believe strongly that the marriage will work and it do! Currently, it does not work perfectly well again but those two are allow to select who they want. When a man loves a woman, he will tell his family about her. The family member inquired about the girl friend and if what they heard is pleasant to them. Formal introduction will be concluded and other subsequent marital arrangement will follows. In our culture, there is no wedding ceremony is completed because we believed that the woman was not sold. But, given out so that the family will keep be extending.
In the aspect of burial arrangement, although Christianity have helped to cleases the various fetish practicals attached to burial but introduce new way of burying the dead. The dead bodies are kept at morgue, arrangements are concluded like visiting all his/her extended families like his mother's and wive(s) side. If his/her daughters are married, those in-laws will visited and do their rites too. After these steps, a day will set for the burial ceremony and after that other events take place since they believe that the soul of the dead still lurking around and the bereaved family will be consoled severally even with gifts.
The uniqueness of my Hometown
A land is unique based on it's people, landmarks and resources. My hometown - Igbere have it all.
Famous: Igbere is well known due to the notable achievement of her people. A town like mine have produces several engineers, technocrats, business Men and women, Politicians, Jurists etc. No wonder, it's very easy for other people to recognise and respect us highly. Most notable among us are:
Sen Orji Uzor Kalu The current chief whip of Nigerian House of Senate and two time Governor of Abia State.
Justice Abai Ikwechegh: Renowned Jurist and Justice of Nigeria-British Legal luminary.
Chima Anyaso: Nigerian Politician and reputable businessman.
*Amadi Ikwechegh: A Naval Officer and Military Governor of Imo State.Popular Landmark. Every years, many people congregate and celebrates at our popular spring-water river.
Image Source
The river is known as Amaukwuu River and people of various class enjoy the taste of happy moment there.Food Basket of Abia State. Owning to high yield and fertile soil in Igbere, a lot of food crops are harvested throughout the year. Some are exported and others consumer internally.
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