Aro Confederacy
Aro Confederacy Omu Aro | |||||||||
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1640–1902 | |||||||||
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Capital | Early modern | ||||||||
• Established | 1640 | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1902 | ||||||||
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Today part of | Nigeria Cameroon Equatorial Guinea Gabon |
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The Aro Confederacy (1640–1902) was a political union orchestrated by the
Rise and Strength
The exact origins of the Aro Confederacy are not precisely documented, but it is believed to have been established around the mid-17th century. The
The "Long Juju" Oracle
The "Long Juju" oracle was the spiritual centerpiece of the Aro Confederacy.[2] It was housed in Arochukwu and considered a potent source of political authority and religious guidance. The Aro people 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.
Economic Power
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 like palm oil, yams, and assava.[3] During the Trans-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
Aro activities on the coast helped the growth of city-states in the Niger Delta, and these city states became important centres for the export of palm oil and slaves. Such city-states included Opobo, Bonny, Nembe, Calabar, as well as other slave trading city-states controlled by the Ijaw, Efik, and Igbo. The Aros formed a strong trading network, colonies, and incorporated hundreds of communities that formed into powerful kingdoms. The Ajalli, 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 like Izuogu Mgbokpo and Iheme who led Aro/Abam forces to conquer Ikpa Ora and founded Arondizuogu. Later Aro commanders such as Okoro 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.
Decline
During the 1890s, the
References
- ^ 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. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
- ^ "Arochukwu | Igbo People, Slave Trade & Oracle | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
- ^ "The Temple Complex and the Oracle of Ibin Ukpabi". ITS - Website Hosting - Personal/Professional - Western Kentucky University. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (August 2015) |