The Fall of Okon Ita (Obio Ibom) Kingdom and the Rise of the Aro Confederacy
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Obong Okon Ita(Obio Ibom) kingdom was an Ibibio kingdom with its seat of government in Obot Okon Ita from the 9th to 17th Century with several trade routes with the Igbos, Benin and Ibibio kingdoms.
The Kingdom currency was the use of the cowries and Manillas in trading between the Igbos, Efik and other Ibibio kingdoms south of the Kingdom. In the 17th Century it was govern by Obong Okon Ita which earn the name Obong Okon Ita Kingdom.
The Arrival of an Abiriba group (made up of Igbo and Efik descend) around 1630 lead by Eze Agwu to Obio Ibom Kingdom, which was ruled by Obong Okon Ita causing a long term conflict and stalemate known as the Aro-Ibibio Wars which lasted from 1630 -1690.
📸Aros in Aro-British war
And Nnachi Ipia also arrive the Kingdom supporting prince Akakpokpo Okon in a coup against his brother Obong Akpan Okon Ita. Akakpokpo Okon was bore of an Igbo mother so with the he got allies from some rebels in the Kingdom, Nnachi Clan and Eze Agwu Clan to defeat his brother.
The Coup was heavily resisted by the people of Obio Ibom, leading to lots of Casualties among the Abiriba people and Nnachi whereby they called for help from the Akpa Clans who traded guns which was new in the territory with the Europeans at 📸Akwa Akpa Kingdom now Calabar.
With the help of the Akpa Clans led by Osim and Akuma Nnubi with Igbo forces and Ibibio rebels they defeated Obong Okon Ita forces on 1690 leading to the Death of Osim, Obong Okon Ita and his Brother Akakpokpo. The Arochukwu Kingdom was established.
📸Ibibio people
The Aro-Ibibio war led some Ibibios to leave Ibom now in Arochukwu to establish Ikono Ibom (Atai) kingdom now Ikono and Itu LGA of Akwa Ibom State.
📸Ibibio people
After Arochukwu was formed, it began to expand because of the growing population and territorial protection. Ibibio groups who were kicked out and their allies (Obot Mme, Mako, etc.) sporadically attacked Arochukwu shortly after its formation.
In order to neutralize Ibibio invasions, Aro forces formed vigilante camps which eventually grew into communities on the Arochukwu-Ibibio boundaries and repelled the invasions.
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Shortly after the defeat of Obong Okon Ita the Aro Confederacy was form.
📸Old Calabar
The Confederacy was a political union orchestrated by the Aro people centered in Arochukwu in present-day South and Eastern Nigeria, the confederation also spread the use of Nsibidi Writing System which originates among the Ekoi people in the Region.
Their influence and political presence was all over Eastern Nigeria, lower Middle Belt, and parts of present-day Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea during the 18th and 19th centuries. Establishing the political structure of the old Biafran Empire.
An economic, political, and an oracular center as it was home of the Ibit Ukpabi (Ibini Ukpabi) oracle (Drum of the Creator God) an oracle of the Ibibio people taken over by the Aros after the fall of Okon Ita, it was Use to established the Confederation.
Kings and people in every kingdom in present day South and Eastern Nigeria, Western Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon visited the Oracle that kept all kingdoms together making use of Manillas and Cowrie shell as their currency.
Photos use are not associated with the event but are photos of people and places associated to this historical event.
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