MBAISE HISTORY

Mbaise is located in Imo State in Southeastern Nigeria. Set in the heart of Igboland, it is gradually developing into towns and cities. The Mbaise slogan is Seat of the Sages. The name "Mbaise" was derived from the original five clans namely: Agbaaja, Oke Uvuru, Ezinihitte, Ahiara, Ekwereazu in the agreed order of seniority.
The area of Mbaise (the three Local Government Areas) is about 404 km²: Aboh Mbaise (185 km²), Ahiazu Mbaise (111 km²), Ezinihitte Mbaise (108 km²).
The people are of Igbo (Ibo) descent. About 90% of the people are Catholic faithfuls while Protestants and other religions share the other percentage.

[edit] MBAISE CULTURE
The Mbaise clan is rich in culture which exists till date. The Okonko Society of wealthy and influential men who take vows of brotherhood and enforce the orders of the town elders exists in most parts of the division. Its influence, no doubt, has waned. The Nkwotile dance (rump dance) is another common feature of the people. This is the chance used for celebrating the annual yam festival and for propitiating the yam god Ajoku (Ahanjoku). This dance has been modified over the years to ekpe (masquerade), Iroko, ekereavu, abigbo to ngba (wrestling). Other music and dances include: Agbacha Ekuru Nwa, Alija, Edere, Egwu Onu Nwa, Ekwirikwe Mgba, Ese, Nkelenke, Nkwa Ike, Nkwa Udu, Ogbongelenge, Uko etc.
There are also numerous social titles which feature prominently throughout Mbaise. The Ezeji (yam lord). Chieftancy titles are very common and highly regarded. They include: Eze (king), Okenze, Nze, Ozo, Durunze, etcetera
The Mbaise people have festivals which attract both locals and foreign tourists - the Iwa Akwa, "Oji-mbaise" (kolanut festival)and the wildly politicized "Iri-ji-Mbaise" (the New Yam Festival) which is observed on August 15.
Sculpture appears to have found strong home in Mbaise, particularly in Agbaja clan. Not only did they excel in the making of Mud Mbari shrines, they have now produced one of the most famous sculptors in the East Central State. The work of Chukwuegu, Duru Omenka, is renowned attracting visitors all around the world.

[edit] EARLY POLITICAL HISTORY
Before 1902 when the Aro expedition was carried out by the British Colonial powers to subdue the Aro slave trading oligarchy, Mbaise had not come under British rule. But by 1906 at the conclusion of the operation, the present day Mbaise consisting of the three Local Government Areas (Aboh, Ahiazu & Ezinihitte) was effectively brought together under British control while leaving in place a semblance of local authority. To keep the whole clan under effective supervision, a native court was established at Obohia in 1907 but pressure from the likes of Chief Nwaturuocha of Nguru caused the transfer of the court to Nguru in 1909. In 1929, the Nguru court was destroyed as a result of the Women's revolt (the Famous 'Women Riot') against British exploitation. Sectional courts were subsequently opened in Obohia, Itu, Ife and Enyiogogu in response to the increasingly popular "Home Rule" movement of the 1930s. The coming together of the people under a common political and administrative unit was secured in 1941. By 1945 councils had been formed based loosely on blocs of autonomous communities. The group councils and their number of autonomous communities recognized in Mbaise were: Ezinihitte - 16; Agbaja - 7; Oke-Uvuru - 4; Ekwerazu - 6 and Ahiara -6 (source: Ekechi 1989:179). It was from councils that the three local Governments were created. Ahiazu LGA was a merger of Ahiara and Ekwerazu councils and Aboh LGA was a merger of Oke-Uvuru and Agbaja councils. Ezinihitte remained by itself except for the secession of two small villages - Isu Obiangwu and Umuohiagu which joined Ngor-Okpala from the Agbaja area in Mbaise.

[edit] MBAISE IN THE CONTEMPORARY ERA
Mbaise's population today is in excess of 1 million people. Subsistence farming still accounts for a major part of the occupation. Yams, cassava, palm fruits, vegetables and fruits are the main agricultural products. However since the end of the Biafra/ Nigerian civil war, the quest for improved standard of living, academic excellence and the crave for enterprise have helped an unprecedented boost in the fortunes of Ndi Mbaise. Mbaise boasts of legions of doctors, lawyers, public administrators, educators, artists, engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs. Ndi-Mbaise are avid travellers and adventurers. There is in progress a large flux to the Americas, Europe and Asia in search of new ideas to bring home.

CULTURE AND TRADITION.

IN THIS AREA OF OUR PUBLICATION, I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE ABOUT MBAISE CULTURES AND TRADITION .

IN MBAISE, WE HAVE A GREAT CULTURE AND TRADITIONAL AND WE SHARE THE SAME FOUR MARKET DAYS SYSTEM WITH OTHER IGBO VILLAGES(ORIE,AFOR,NKWO,EKE) THOSE ARE THE FOUR MARKET DAYS IN IGBO LANDAND SOME OF OUR ACTIVITIES WHICH INCLUDES OUR UNIC CULTURAL DANCES AND PRESTIGIUS (IRI JI MBAISE) WHICH MEANS MBAISE NEW YAM FESTIVAL, WE ALSO HAVE (IWA OJI MBAISE) WHICH MEANS COLA BREAKING FESTIVAL AND OTHER IMPORTANT FESTIVALS AND CEREMONIES .

IN MBAISE OUR STYLE OF CELEBRATING XMASS IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE WHOLE WORLD , I MEAN IF YOU ARE OPPORTUNED TO BE IN MBAISE DURING XMASS PERIOD YOU WILL REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT AM TALKING ABOUT....I MEAN THERE IS SO MUCH FUN THAT YOU WILL BE SO OCCUPIED WITH ACTIVITIES TILL YOU WILL NOT KNOW WHEN ITS NEW YEAR.

SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY IN MBAISE DURING XMASS IS OUR TRADITIONAL DANCES LIKE MASQURADE, VISITING YOUR LOVE ONES AND NEWLY INTRODUCED FOOTBALL COMPETITIONS IN VARIUS VILLAGES, IN MBAISE AS FROM 24 DECEMBER OF EVERY YEAR OUR XMASS STARTS TILL 3 JANUARY AND DURING THIS PERIOD EVERY VILLAGE IN MBAISE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOST ANY OF THEIR EXTENDED FAMILYS ,INLAWS, FRIENDS AND WELL WISHERS ON THEIR OWN ASSIED MARKET DAY, IF IN YOUR VILLAGE YOUR MARKET DAY FALLS INTO NKWO MARKET DAY AS LONG AS IS FROM 25 DECEMBER THAT MEANS ITS YOUR OWN CHISTMAS CELEBRATION DAY AND YOU WILL HAVE TO HOST ALL YOUR VISITORS THAT DAY AND AFTER ALL THE MERRIMENT LATTER IN THE EVENING EVERY BODY WILL BE HEADING TO THE MARKET SQURE FOR THE MASQURADE DANCE AND ALSO TO BE PREPARING FOR THE NEXT DAY VISITATION TO ANOTHER VILLAGE TILL JANUARY 3.

CONTACTS

For futher information please contact our P.R.O on 0032484920144 or email johnsonobioha@yahoo.com or mbaiseunitedbelgium@yahoo.com

WELLCOME TO MBAISE UNITED IN BELGIUM

Well come to Mbaise United Belgium, this is a union for Mbaise people living in Belgium, Every bonafide native of Mbaise in Belgium is allowed to join the union...... Mbaise is a popular town in Imo state of Nigeria and( anyi nwere nmadu) which means we have people that matters .We hold our monthly meeting in Brussels every third saturday of every month, because it is a new union we the nominated executive are working hard to drive the union into a standerd organization and we are appealing for every Mbaise origine living in Belgium,to endevour to join us.

MBAISE KWENU HEEH......MBAISE KWENU HEEH......MBAISE KWEZUONU HEEEEEEHHH