Aro Confederacy
Aro Confederacy Omu Aro | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1640–1902 | |||||||||
Flag | |||||||||
Capital | Arochukwu | ||||||||
Common languages | |||||||||
Government | Constitutional monarchy | ||||||||
Historical era | Early modern | ||||||||
• Established | 1640 | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1902 | ||||||||
Currency | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Today part of | Nigeria Cameroon Equatorial Guinea Gabon |
Part ofa serieson the | ||||||||||||||||||
History of Nigeria | ||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||||||||||||||||
Timeline | ||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Topics | ||||||||||||||||||
By state | ||||||||||||||||||
See also | ||||||||||||||||||
![]() | ||||||||||||||||||
TheAro Confederacy(1640–1902) was a political union orchestrated by theAro people,anIgbosubgroup, centered inArochukwuin present-day southeasternNigeria.The Aro Confederacy kingdom was founded after the beginning of theAro-Ibibio Wars.Their influence and presence was all overEastern Nigeria,lowerMiddle Belt,and parts of present-dayCameroonandEquatorial Guineaduring the 18th and 19th centuries. TheArochukwuKingdom was an economic, political, and an oracular center as it was home of theIbini Ukpabioracle, High Priests, the Aro KingEze Aro,and central council (Okpankpo). The Aro Confederacy was a powerful and influential political and economic alliance of various Igbo-speaking communities in southeastern Nigeria.[citation needed]It emerged during the 17th century and played a significant role in the region until the late 19th century.[1]
Rise and strength
[edit]The exact origins of the Aro Confederacy are not precisely documented, but it is believed to have been established around the mid-17th century. TheAropeople, who were part of the Igbo ethnic group, inhabited the region around present-day Arochukwu in Abia State, Nigeria. They were skilled traders and missionaries who played a pivotal role in connecting various Igbo communities. This migration and their military power, and wars with neighboring kingdoms like supported by their alliances with several related neighboring Igbo and eastern Cross River militarized states (particularlyOhafia,Edda,Abam,Abiriba,Afikpo,Ekoi,Bahumono,Amasiri,Uzuakoli etc.), quickly established the Aro Confederacy as a regional economic power. The Aro Confederacy's strength came from its well-organized network of Aro agents who were dispersed across different communities in the region. These agents acted as intermediaries in trade, diplomacy, and religious matters. They facilitated commerce, resolved disputes, and spread the worship of the Aro deity known as the "Long Juju"oracle.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Igbo_swords.png/235px-Igbo_swords.png)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Arochukwu_influence.png/191px-Arochukwu_influence.png)
The "Long Juju" oracle
[edit]The "Long Juju"oracle was the spiritual centerpiece of the Aro Confederacy.[2]It was housed inArochukwuand considered a potent source of political authority and religious guidance. TheAropeople used the oracle to enforce their influence and control over surrounding communities. It also served as a means to administer justice and settle disputes, often attracting pilgrims seeking solutions to their problems.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/-Remains_of_Long_Juju_Gorge%2C_Arochuku-%2C_late_19th_century_%28imp-cswc-GB-237-CSWC47-LS2-041%29.jpg/179px--Remains_of_Long_Juju_Gorge%2C_Arochuku-%2C_late_19th_century_%28imp-cswc-GB-237-CSWC47-LS2-041%29.jpg)
Economic power
[edit]The Aro Confederacy gained significant economic power through trade relations with the Oguta-Ameshi, Onitsha, and Kalabari monarchies. Their economy was primarily based on sale of slaves and agriculture with crops likepalm oil,yams, and assava.[3]During theTrans-Atlantic slave trade,the Aro were the primary provider of slaves to the wealthy riverine Igbo merchants of Oguta (Oguta-Ameshi Ameshi, Onitsha, and Kalabari. The prominent international slave markets in Igboland were the Oguta Lake Slave Market, Onitsha, Abonnema, and Bonny. These markets were centres of international trade, diplomacy, and major gateways through which Western civilization entered Igboland.
Confederacy
[edit]Aroactivities on the coast helped the growth of city-states in theNiger Delta,and these city states became important centres for the export of palm oil and slaves. Suchcity-statesincludedOpobo,Bonny,Nembe,Calabar,as well as other slave trading city-states controlled by theIjaw,Efik,andIgbo.The Aros formed a strong trading network, colonies, and incorporated hundreds of communities that formed into powerful kingdoms. TheAjalli,Arondizuogu,Ndikelionwu,and Kingdoms were some of the most powerful Aro states in the Confederacy after Arochukwu. Some were founded and named after commanders and chiefs likeIzuogu MgbokpoandIhemewho led Aro/Abam forces to conquerIkpa Oraand founded Arondizuogu. Later Aro commanders such asOkoro Idozuka(also of Arondizuogu) expanded the state's borders through warfare at the start of the 19th century. Aro migrations also played a large role in the expansion of Ozizza, Afikpo, Amasiri, Izombe, and many other city-states. For example, Aro soldiers founded at least three villages in Ozizza. The Aro Confederacy's power, however, derived mostly from its economic and religious position. With European colonists on their way at the end of the 19th century, things changed.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Pre_colonial_igbo_trading_routes.jpg/220px-Pre_colonial_igbo_trading_routes.jpg)
Decline
[edit]During the 1890s, theRoyal Niger CompanyofBritainbore friction with the Aros because of their economic dominance. The Aro resisted British penetration in the hinterland because their economic and religious influence was being threatened. The Aro and their allies launched offensives against British allies inIgbolandandIbibioland.After failed negotiations, the British attempted to conquer the Aro Confederacy in 1899. By 1901, the tensions were especially intensified when British prepared for the Aro Expedition. The invasion ofObegu(in Igboland) was the last major Aro offensive before the start of theAnglo-Aro War.In November 1901, the British launched the Aro Expedition and after strong Aro resistance, Arochukwu was captured on December 28, 1901. By early 1902, the war was over and the Aro Confederacy collapsed. Contrary to the belief that theIbini Ukpabiwas destroyed, theshrinestill exists, and is intact in Arochukwu and serves mainly as a tourist site.[4]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Burning_of_Arochukwu_1901.png/271px-Burning_of_Arochukwu_1901.png)
!["The Opening Up of Nigeria, the Expedition Against the Aros by Richard Caton Woodville II" 1901](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/%22The_Opening_Up_of_Nigeria%2C_the_Expedition_Against_the_Aros_by_Richard_Caton_Woodville_II%22_1901_%28.png/199px-%22The_Opening_Up_of_Nigeria%2C_the_Expedition_Against_the_Aros_by_Richard_Caton_Woodville_II%22_1901_%28.png)
References
[edit]- ^Nwauwa, Apollos O. (1995)."The Evolution of the Aro Confederacy in Southeastern Nigeria, 1690-1720. A Theoretical Synthesis of State Formation Process in Africa".Anthropos.90(4/6): 353–364 – via UCL Library.
- ^Centre, UNESCO World Heritage."Arochkwu Long Juju Slave Route (Cave Temple Complex)".UNESCO World Heritage Centre.Retrieved2023-08-02.
- ^"Arochukwu | Igbo People, Slave Trade & Oracle | Britannica".britannica.Retrieved2023-08-02.
- ^"The Temple Complex and the Oracle of Ibin Ukpabi".ITS - Website Hosting - Personal/Professional - Western Kentucky University.Retrieved2023-06-28.
![]() | This article includes a list of generalreferences,butit lacks sufficient correspondinginline citations.(August 2015) |