The story behind Nworie River
| Rich Cultural Heritage of Africa Africa boasts a rich cultural heritage. Many African practices trace back thousands of years. They have been handed down from fathers to sons and from one generation to the next. Igboland is a prime example of a place where people have preserved and honored African culture through the centuries. The Story of Nworie River Mr. Iheanacho Oriaku, our guide, told us about the famous Nworie River. He explained that the river’s source is in Egbeada, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. People call it ISI MMIRIR, which means “the heart of the water., or the heart of the water. (ISI MMIRIR). THE HISTORY OF NWAORIE RIVER When this water came, it was very small and boiling as if it was being cooked from the ground. Elders’ Consultation and Rituals When the elders first saw the small, boiling water bubbling from the ground, they sought guidance from the high priest. The high priest conveyed the gods’ message: to calm the boiling pond, the elders needed to offer an animal without bones, known as ERURU, as a peace sacrifice. Such practices underscore the community’s commitment to honoring the spiritual forces they believe inhabit the river. Beliefs and Rituals Villagers believe that the spirit of Nworie River is female because of her kindness. They call her a merciful mother. However, they also acknowledge that male spirits own some rivers. When asked if it is only a female sprints that owns the waters, he said no, that there are male spirits that owns some rivers too. Social Rules and Spiritual Significance The river’s importance is evident in the rituals that surround it. People must avoid polluting the river and adhere to specific prohibitions, such as women staying away from the river on market days. These regulations are deeply ingrained in the community’s understanding of maintaining the river’s purity and respecting its spiritual significance. Flow and Rituals Nworie River starts in Egbeada and flows through several roads before meeting another river, Ota Mmiri, which people believe to be male. During the farming season, villagers perform rituals like OWA ORIE URATA to cross the river. Each village, such as Akwakuma, carries out its own rituals like EMUME MMIRI before starting farming activities. Conclusion Today, Nworie River, once thought small, shows its true might. The thick forest area where its sacred source lies remains accessible only to the chief priest.. The thick forest area where its sacred source lies remains accessible only to the chief priest., the two Rivers flow separately. Ota mmiri is believed to be a man while nworie river is believed to be a woman. People perform rituals during farming season to cross the river. Like during farming season, People cross the river during farming season by performing rituals. And the name of the ritual is OWA ORIE URATA. Like akwakuma village, they have their own ritual called EMUME MMIRI and they must do the emume Mmiri before the start farming. You know I used to think that nworie river is a very small river but today I am seeing with my two eyes that nworie river is Mighty and as you can see from the video, that thick forest area is where the source known traditionally as ISI MMIRI. Nobody enters there except the chief priest. |
