The name Mba-Ise literally means five law court areas.
The name was suggested and adopted for a political unit, a federation of some five Igbo clans near Owerri, Imo State. This happened during the colonial era.
The five clans are: Agbaaja, Ahiara, Ekwereazu, Ezinihitte and Oke Uvuru located in the three Local Government Areas, (Aboh Mbaise- Agbaaja and Okeuvuru, Ahiazu Mbaise-Ahiara and Ekwereazu and Ezinihitte Mbaise) in which there are about 81 Autonomous Communities.
More on Mbaise
Mbaise is a sub-group of Igbo ethnic group located in Imo state, south eastern Nigeria.
Mbaise people … 1Mbaise people … 2Mbaise people … 3
Meaning
In Igbo language Mbaise literally means “five towns”.
5 towns (clans) of Mbaise
The 5 towns (clans) that make up Mbaise are:
Agbaja
Ahiara
Ekwerazu
Ezinihitte and
Oke-Uvuru
Mbaise’s 3 Local Government Areas
The towns constitute 3 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Imo state, namely:
Aboh Mbaise
Ahiazu Mbaise and
Ezinihitte Mbaise
Map of Imo State showing Local Government Areas (LGAs). The 3 LGAs of Mbaise are indicated
Festivals
The great “Abigbo” dance troupe, “Oji” Mbaise, which celebrates the significance of the kola nut, “Iri-ji” Mbaise, an annual celebration of the yam harvest – all are festivities for which Mbaise is well-known.
Culture, traditions and customs
Mbaise people have rich culture, traditions and customs. Some of the activities are:
