Omirigwe 1 the debut movie production of Victor Wealth Asoh is a Nollywood Indigenous movie filmed in the Nigerian dialect of Ufia (Utonkon), in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Below is a BRIEF HISTORY OF UFIA..... The ufia also known as the Utonkon are said to have originated from Kwararafa stock in Wukari, Gongola state. They where forces out of Wukari along with the other Idoma speaking people by tribal warfare. They then went around and round untill they finally settled at their present place. The influence of Wukaris still being felt by the ufia people up till today. This is evidenced from the identical names of clans e.g. Okari-Ojenyo in ufia, and Wukari Gongola state. Other example abound. Except for the difference in language, the ufia people naturally have identical culture and tradition with other Idoma groups with whom they have cohabited for centuries. Leadership amongst the ufia rested on the control of the Ogrinya Cult (meaning seniority) a cult whose control signified leadership in war, offer of sacrifices to the gods, division of spoils of war e.t.c. This was the kind of leadership wielded by Oke Ajagbo who is still fondly remembered in ufia masquerade songs. His son Ede is regarded as the first ruler of the ufia . He is said to have transferred this title to Awo because he preferred to wield military rather than administrative power over his kith and kin. Awo is believed to have been killed by a snake after a short period on the throne. This happened because he did not observe the traditions of the Ogrinya as given to him by Ede Oke Ajagbo. Tradition has it that it was during the reign of Inyava grand son of Oke Ajagbo that the ufia came to occupy their present location. That during the reorganization of the area in the colonial era, the then District officer (DO) sent for Inyava to become the traditional ruler of ufia(Olong nwe ufia). Because of his leadership position in the clan as leader of the ogrinya cult as well as the military and economic head he felt it would not be proper to take on such additional title. It should be remembered that during this time, both the Oke ajagbo family and that of Aso were regarded as one. However, misunderstanding soon crept in and the tittl was given to Chief Okekpe who ruled until he died. on the death of okekpe, the title of Olong nwe ufia left Watuolo clan and was passed to Chief Iyanga who was successed by Chief Isido Onu. The throne has since pass onto chief Ignatius Ogbu. One should note that it was Inyava from the Oke Ajagbo family of Watuolo clan that brought all the ufia to the area they now occupy. This role has automatically given the family a leadership role in the society, a role which Ogbu Ema(the Ogrinya of watuolo) head of the Oke Ajagbo family still play. This includes leadership and conducting rites for peace in watuolo clan and the ufia in some areas. This title held by him (Ogbu Ema) is not transferable to other family in the clan. It is only meant for his family members. It should be noted that the Ikomolokpo have become absolved into Ukwonyo clan as a result of coming across them during one of the wars fought by the ufia people. The Ukwonyo gave the land they presently occupy to them and marry their daughters to them. They have become integrated into the ufia group in culture retaining some elements of their language.

• published: 01 Nov 2014
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