AMUFIE MILITARY WAREFARE IN PRE-COLONIAL AND COLONIAL ERA

AMUFIE MILITARY WAREFARE IN PRE-COLONIALISM AND COLONIALISM

Amufie is prominent village in Umu Itodo, Enugu ezike in Igbo Eze north LGA of Enugu state. It is located at the outskirts of Enugu Ezike with a population of about one hundred thousand people.

The pre-colonial history of Amufie just like that of other similar communities is not well documented as a result of scanty formal education and enlightenment that characterized that era. Nonetheless, much is known as result of stories and myths that are passed from generation to generation.

PRE COLONIAL/COLONIAL MILITARY WAREFARE

Amufie just like many other villages is agrarian and very rural. Most conflicts that arose in the pre-colonial era were triggered by land disputes and other disagreements that were socio-cultural in nature.

Before I delve into the major conflict that is still very memorable which took place during the era in view, let me state the composition of the military formation in Amufie as was obtainable in pre-colonial cum colonial era.

THE ELDERS COUNCIL

This is the highest decision making body in the community. It is made up of the eldest man (Onyishi) in the village and his cabinet which comprised of all the eldest people who represent the various umunna (kinsmen) that form the community. The Elders-in-council meet regularly at the palace of the onyishi (the eldest man) from time to time to deliberate on the issues that affect the community. They settle disputes among indigenes and also sanction deviant members of the community.

Whenever there was a threat or an aggression towards the community, it is the Elders-in-council that determine the cause of action, whether to return fire for fire or to sue for peace. It is worthy of note that they do not go to war because most of them are very old.

THE AGE GRADE

This group comprise of able bodied men that are usually below 50 years of age. They are the military wing of the community. They go to war to defend the community against external aggressors.  In war time, some these youths volunteer to join the army as not all of them are cut out for war. Only the brave dare the devil.

THE CHIEF PRIEST AND THE DEITY

In Igbo world view, it is believed that the spiritual controls the physical. Therefore the people of Amufie believe in the existence of a  supreme being which they communicate with through the help of the chief Priest of the diety know as ”Alumu” and other lesser gods.The Chief Priest serves as the mediator between the gods and men. In war time, the chief priest fortifies the army to be able to withstand the enemy. He prepares a special talisman known as ‘’odeshi’’ (bullet proof). This enables the men to fight without the fear of being killed.

PRE-COLONIAL WAR

There was no recorded pre-colonial war, but legend has it that there were many disputes between Amufie and their neighbours as result of the struggle for land acquisition because might was right then and only the brave could posses the land.

COLONIAL ERA

After the coming of the white men, things changed as a result of the introduction of modern warfare. Amufie people were using den guns, bows and arrows but became exposed to modern weaponry. This will be explained below.

THE WAR

The major war that occurred in 1930s was between Amufie and their other sister communities in Enugu Ezike. There is a central stream known as Alumu stream (still in existence today). This stream has been serving as the source of water for the Amufie people from time immemorial. Other villages also made use of this stream. History has it that, Ugbaike a neighbouring Amufie used a masquerade known as Aguoko to intimidate the indigenes of Amufie at the stream by chasing the women away for people of Ugbaike to fetch water. This happened unabated for a long time before the elders of Amufie mandated the youths to do something about it. The youths ambushed the Aguoko Masquerade and killed it and took its costume. The people of Ugbaike became enraged over the incident and assembled other communities in Enugu Ezike to go to war with Amufie. By their estimation, Amufie stood no chance because they were outnumbered. This occurred when Alhaji Adukwu, who though was a NUPE man had naturalized as an indigene of Amufie. He was a warrant officer then and was very close to the Whitemen. He informed the colonial army about the impending invasion of Amufie Community by the entire Enugu Ezike Army. He was given 3 military officers who were equipped with modern guns.

On the day of the invasion, the whole warriors in Enugu ezike assembled and were matching to annihilate the people of Amufie. They were armed with dane guns, machetes, bows and arrows. They were beating drums of war and singing victory songs because their large numbers gave them confidence over the tiny army that Amufie had. Unknown to them Alhaji Adukwu had hired mercenaries with modern guns. As they approached Amufie, they met the shock of their lives as the mercenaries opened fire on them. Their “odeshi’ which can only protect them against dane guns failed them and almost all the men fell that day to a superior fire power. This was the greatest war of that time and is still being remembered up till today.

Conclusively, the establishment of modern judicial system reduced communal clashes to the barest minimum as aggrieved persons now seek redress in a court of law. Therefore, the people of Amufie have embraced civilization and have shunned physical conflicts with their neighbours. Nonetheless, the youths still have an organized military outfit know as Vigilante or neighbourhood watch, but this time around their mandate has changed. Their major trust is to protect the community against armed robbers and kidnappers.