UDI: THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE

THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE

Location and physical features

Udi is an igbo community located in Southeast of Enugu state of Nigeria. It is the Headquarters of udi local government area in Enugu state.The town has been classified by Professor C.C. Ifemesia as belonging to the Northern Igbo. Udi is bounded in the east by ituku,in the west by Amokwe,in the North by Abia and in the south by Agbudu town.According to the 2006 census, it had a population of about 234,002 people.

Udi is  about 700 meters above sea level. There are three streams in the town,namely, Nvene,Iyi Oghugho, and Iyi Ani which form the tributaries of River Ufam.The Ufam is the tributary of Oji River.Udi falls within the Savannah region and thus suffers much from leaching which has rendered the soil useless,acidic and poor for Agriculture.

Udi has a diversified economy.The main economic activities include Agriculture, local industries and trade.Agriculture is,however,"the bedrock in which other economic activities is set".

The people produce such crops like yam,maize,cassava,cocoyam, and Vegetables like tomatoes, okro etc.Trade and industries are taken as subsidiaries.

The town has dense forest in some areas and most of the trees in the forest are palm trees which,generally speaking, are not cultivated but grown in clusters around homes,though they could be seen growing singly in isolated areas.The grassland zone of the community enhance cattle or animal rearing. The fauna of the forest consist of such animals as grasscutters,squirrels, rabbits,monkeys. We also have birds of all kinds.These animals allow for Indiscriminate hunting operations.

Udi has a common language and customs which suggest a common ancestary.They,like other communities in Igboland,are an egalitarian society.

ORIGIN, MIGRATION AND SETTLEMENT

As with many communities in igboland, the origin of the udi people can aptly be described as "a maize within a maze".This is so because the tradition of most igbo communities are not contained in books but in oral testimonies.Defects in oral traditions and lack of written archaeological evidence make the reconstruction of the pre-history of the people difficult. However, if historical methods are  carefully applied, an acceptable history of the people might emerge.

Udi is one of the communities that make up umuneke, a name connoting the sons of Neke.Udi Is regarded as the eldest son of Neke though there is some disagreement on this.

The origin of Neke has been a subject of controversy among the people of Udi.Some people believe that Neke was the father of Udi.They contend that he was created by God.Some informats also hold the veiw that Neke fell down from heaven. Claims of Independent origin are not accepted in history. The people of udi must have migration from somewhere.But it is possible that owing to time dept the people have forgotten all stories of origin and migration.

 Culled up by Okeke Michael Obinna. 

 2348140509289

 History and International Studies 

 Imo State University 

 Owerri, Nigeria.