# Aro people

The Aro people or Aros are an Igbo group that originated from the Arochukwu kingdom in present-day Abia state, Nigeria. The Aros can also be found in about 250 other settlements mostly in the Southeastern Nigeria and adjacent areas. The Aros today are classified as Eastern or Cross River Igbos because of their location, mixed origins, culture, and dialect. Their god, Chukwu Abiama, was a key factor in establishing the Aro Confederacy as a regional power in the Niger Delta and Southeastern Nigeria during the 18th and 19th centuries.

## Origins and history

The history of the Aros predates Igbo migration and founding of the kingdom of Arochukwu. During the Bantu expansion, a group of Proto Ibibio migrated to the area and established the Mbot Abasi Kingdom. The Proto Ibibio group originally came from Usak Edet (Isanguele), a segment of the Ejagham in present-day Southern Cameroon. Igbo migrations led by Eze Agwu from Abiriba and Nnachi from Edda migrated into the Aro region started in the mid-17th century. These Igbo migrants were resisted by the indigenous proto Ibibios. The Aro-Ibibio Wars and the migration of the Akpa from east of the Cross River, formed the nation during the turning point of the 17th century to the 18th century. The Efik were originally from the Ibom Kingdom and might have left before or during the Aro-Ibibio Wars. By this time, the palm oil and slave trade was popular in the hinterland. By the mid-18th century, there were mass migrations of Aro businessmen to the Igbo hinterland and adjacent areas. This migration, influence of their god Chukwu Abiama through priests, and their military power supported by alliances with several related neighboring Igbo and eastern Cross River militarized states (particularly Ohafia, Abam, Ihechiowa, Abiriba, Nkporo, Afikpo, Ekoi, etc.) quickly established the Aro Confederacy as a regional economic power. However, Aro economic hegemony was threatened by the penetration of Europeans, mainly British colonists towards the end of the 19th century. Tensions finally led to bloodshed, and the Anglo-Aro war took place from 1901 to 1902. The Aro Confederacy stoutly resisted but eventually suffered defeat. This helped the British to occupy the rest of what became Eastern Nigeria.

## Tradition

The Aros have a rich tradition. One factor is the Ekpe society which is a sacred society originally from east of the Cross River. The highly religious and judicial society took a major part in Aro society. The use of the writing system, Nsibidi, was based on secret societies like Ekpe. Uli, another writing system, occurred mostly in the form of body art.
Another factor is the Chukwu Abiama Temple, which was mediated by the Aro priesthood. They influenced neighbors and allies before the British invasion and destruction of the Chukwu Abiama Temple and Aro priesthood. The Ekeleke masquerade activity was important in Aro settlements. Brought from the Aros in the western Niger Delta, it eventually spread to the Oguta area. They also were known for wearing the popular "George" cloth. The Ikperikpe warrior dance was very famous among warriors in the old days and continues to be in use.

## Largest settlements in Western Africa

| Name | Town/LGA | State/Country | Notes | Notable People |
| Aro Ajatakairi | Ikwuano | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Achara | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Okporoenyi | Bendel | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ayama | Ikwuano | Abia State, Nigeria | | Late Mazi (Sir) Ugochukwu Kanu and late Col. Okoro |
| Aro Amuru | Ikwuano | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ngwa | | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ama-Asa | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro UmuNkpe | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Nbawsi | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Omoba | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro UmuEru | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro UmuAro | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Onicha Ngwa | | | | |
| Aro Isuochi | | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ahuma Abam | | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Nde Ijere | Ohafia | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Uzuakoli | | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ndizuogu | Ideato, Okigwe and Onuimo LGAs | Imo State, Nigeria | Largest Aro settlement | Izuogu Mgbokpo, Igwegbe Odum, Mbonu Ojike |
| Aro Ndi Ikerionwu | | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ajali | | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Azia | | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Abagana | | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ndi-Owu | | Anambra State, Nigeria | |
| Aro Ikpa | | Enugu State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Amokwe | Udi Enugu | Enugu State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ezeagu | | Enugu State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Achi | | Enugu State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Nkalagu | | Enugu State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Okposi | | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Onueke | Ezza | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Nsukka | | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Nzerem | | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ikwo | | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ndi okoro | | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ikot Ukana | | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Obuoro ite | | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Idoma | | Benue State, Nigeria | Ukpabi of Ochu Idoma | |
| Aro Nde Ikokwo-Uli | | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ndi Egungwu-Uli | | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ubuluisiuzo-Ihiala | | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Umuezeawara-Ihiala | | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Iseke-Iheala | | | | |
| Aro izzi | | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Amuro-Okigwe | | Imo State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro ndi-Okparaeze-Orumba North | | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Umudike-Ikwuano | | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro oji/Aro Ndeokoroji, na Aro Ndinwafor-Okigwe | | Imo State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Nike-Nike | | Enugu State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Amawom-Eziala-Isialangwa | | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Azia-Ihiala | | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ikwo | | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Effium | Ohaukwu LGA | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Isu na Aro onichi-Onicha LGA | | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Uburu | Ohazara LGA | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Abakaliki na Aro Ezillo | | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Nkerefi | Nkanu East LGA | Enugu State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Umulolo-Okigwe | | Imo State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Nkalunta na Nde Totty na Aro Oboro | Ikwuano | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ndi itee na Nde Okereke | Abam - Arochukwu LGA | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ndi okpalaeke na Ndi Aguluezechukwu | Aguata LGA | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ndi Akweke | Orsumogho Ihiala | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ndi Oji | Ukpor/Ihembosi | | | |
| Aro Ozubulu | | Anambra State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Itu-Nta Ibere | Ikwuano Umuahia LGA | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ikot Ukana | | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Onicha Ngwa | Ìsì ala Ngwa | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ntalakwu | Bende | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Mbala-Isuochi | | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Ikot Umo Essien | | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Onicha Ngwa | | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Udi | | Enugu State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Effium | | | | |
| Aro Isuikwuato | | | | |
| Aro Uturu Okigwe | | | | |
| Aro Amaokwe | | | | |
| Aro Itu-Nta Ibere | Ikwuano | Abia State, Nigeria | | |
| Aro Eziala Nsulu | Isiala Ngwa | Abia State, Nigeria | Nde Ujah in Atani | |
| Aro Mbiabong | | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | Nde Akweke, Obinkita | |
* Arochukwu
* Aro Confederacy
* Ezi Njoku History