THE UMUASUA AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY
historical Background
Oral historical accounts have it that Okraka, son of Ojim, was the great progenitor of the Isuikwuato clan. Reputed to have migrated from Upper Egypt (Nile), Okraka fathered three sons:
- Enyi – progenitor of the Imenyi sub-clan
- Kuowu (Awu) – progenitor of the Isu-Amawu sub-clan
- Ogudu – progenitor of the Oguduasaa sub-clan
Kuowu (Awu) and His Lineage
Kuowu (Awu), the progenitor of Isu-Amawu, had seven sons from two wives:
- From the first wife: Abba (Amaba), Obialaugo, Ebe (Amaebe), and Echiele (Otamkpa)
- From the second wife: Asukwu, Ojimnta (Eluama), and Amuta
The descendants of Asukwu are today known and addressed as Umuasua. Historically, Umuasua has been a predominantly agrarian community. However, with the advent of Christianity, Western education, modernity, commerce, and industry, the people of Umuasua have expanded into various fields of specialization and human endeavor.
Genealogy
According to oral accounts, Asukwu is the direct progenitor of Umuasua. He had two sons:
- Chukwu (first son) – whose descendants, Umuchukwu, became extinct
- Isuakoli (second son) – became the surviving and primary lineage of Umuasua
Lineage of Isuakoli
Isuakoli begat two sons:
- Abo – who begat four sons: Ohioroko, Apumiri, Oka, and Oho
- Agidi – who begat five sons: Iremozu, Hiehie, Hiokocha, Omina Ukwu, and Omina Nta
From these two lineages emerged the entire structure of Umuasua, namely:
- Family (Onu Uhu)
- Compound/Ward (Ezi or Umunna Nta)
- Kindred (Umunna Ukwu)
Geographical Location
The Umuasua Community is located in the southeast of the Isuikwuato clan, within Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria.
- The community lies along the Ugbaa–Akara Road, directly opposite the Isuikwuato Local Government Headquarters.
- Set on a hilly terrain, Umuasua overlooks the Local Government Headquarters.
Boundary Communities
Umuasua shares boundaries with seven (7) communities:
- North: Otampa
- East: Amaba
- West: Eluama and Umuobiala
- South: Nkpa-Ukwa
- Southeast: Amorji
- Southwest: Amebe
Notably:
- Amebe has historically merged with Umuobiala.
- Nkpa-Ukwa and Amorji are situated in Bende Local Government Area, making Umuasua a border community.
Physical Features
The topography of Umuasua is typical of most Isuikwuato communities:
- The northern side: hilly, undulating, and stony terrain
- The southern side: level and sandy land
Water Bodies
The community is bisected by the Iyi-Oka stream, which serves as the major natural boundary between the hilly north and the sandy south. Other notable streams include:
- Isi Iyi-Oka
- Iyi-Ohuo
- Iyi-Ogo
- Iyi-Nta
- Iyi-Ezi
- Iyi-Oka Amaegbu
- Iyi-Aboko
With these water sources, Umuasua enjoys a steady supply of water throughout the year.