In Uturu, they occupied specifically, the vicinity of the area called Agụ. There was a myth which claimed that, when the White men were coming to Uturu Community for the first in about 1904, some Aro People who were living in Agụ, led an ambush against them. According to the story, they wanted to kill those White Men and perhaps stop them from entering Uturu Community. But they couldn't succeed; the White Men, eventually, used their gun and killed all those men who were involved in the ambush and their corpse were buried. From that day, that place became "Agụ-tata-Arụ-ise" now called Agụtaro(the popular Hopevill in Uturu)The few who survived, ran to Ogwahia- Ukwu a community in Uturu ,where they met some of their colleagues and decided to embrace the White men. They also adviced Ndi Uturu to buy some fruits and vegetables which they would use to welcome and entertain the White men to avoid harm, death or destruction. Ndi Uturu obediently decided to do as they were adviced.
According to an oral history from Chief Augustine Chima (March 2012) and HRH Late Eze A. A Nwautirikpo(August 2010), the White men came Isuikwuato axis to Ugba(where Absu is located today) and then took the track road leading to Umuanyi a community in Uturu, On getting to Umuanyi, they met Mazi Nwaro Ekeugo, who welcomed them, and subsequently they made him "Warrant Chief". From Umuanyi, they took the track road leading to Agutaro and them proceed to Ogwahia-Ukwu(before Nnembi) where they were hosted by the Ndi Uturu, particularly Ndi Achara. From Ogwahia, they were led to the Nkwo-Achara market square where they met people from other part of Uturu. According to information, it was a very big wonderful day for Ndi bUturu For the first time, they stood under one of the big trees in Nkwo Achara market, listing to the sweet sound piercing voice of the Whites.
They later apointed "Three Warrant Chiefs" in Uturu. They include; Mazi Nwaro Ekeugo - from Umuanyi, Mazi Ukandu Onyeonu from Ogwahia Achara and one Mazi Okezie from Ezieke Akpukpa. Their duty would be, ” to act as local representatives of the British among the Uturu people."
Thus, there was no attempt by the White men to study and understand the people of Uturu and find out who possessed political power and where the system of political sovereignty lies. The British policy, intimidated the Uturu Ọfọ title holder (Onye-isi Ọfọ Uturu) to succumb to British imperialism. Uturu People could not resist the British order and so the Village group councils and other administrative organs in Uturu were destabilized
.jpg)
0 Comments