BRIEF HISTORY OF DUNUKOFIA CLAN
INTRODUCTION:
Writing a full history of a clan like Dunukofia will not be an easy task, but on this write-up, I will make it concised, for a layman to understand the history of Dunukofia, in Anambra state.
Dunukofia stands as only homogenous clan among all the 774 local governments in Nigeria. Dunukofia might look like a mere political creation just like every other local government, to the younger generations, but it is not only a local government but also a dynasty or clan whose origin could be traced only to remote antiquity. It is bigger and larger than a local government.
Dunukofia population in the last census was 96,517.

ORAL HISTORIES
There are numerous various accounts as regards to the oral history of Dunukofia clan.
FIRST ACCOUNT:
The first account says that Dunu was the wife of Okofia, the great farmer.

SECOND ACCOUNT:
Another account says that Okofia was a title name given to Dunu.

THIRD ACCOUNT:
This particular account narrates it, that Dunukofia is the name of the founder of dynasty/ clan.

FOURTH ACCOUNT :
This account states that Agwolila, the father of Dunu came to the present aboard of Dunukofia from Omambala basin a long time ago. But the account couldn't expantiate how the interfix "Okofia" came into existence.
In this account, which is somehow acceptable among the Dunukofia clan, Okofia was presumed to be the father of Dunu, the originator of the clan. Still on this account, it was presumed that Ukpo, Ifitedunu, Umunachi, Umudioka and Ukwulu which now make up Dunukofia, originated from a man called Dunu, who is also the son of Okofia.

FIFTH ACCOUNT:
Dunu made his way to the present day abode of Dunukofia people, the place was a very thick forest. He decided to live in this thick forest (Okofia), and for this reasons, others that migrated and settled around him, made reference to him as Dunu that lived at Okofia, and that is what give name to Dunukofia.

MIGRATION OF DUNUKOFIA PEOPLE
It is stated that Dunu, the ancestor of Dunukofia people migrated from an ancient community in Omambala basin, around Igala land. This migration was not done by Dunu alone. It was accounted that, Dunu migrated with his siblings, that is Nri, the founder of Agukwu, Enugwu-Ukwu, Nawfia and Enugwu-Agidi; then Owelle, the father of Nimo, Abagana and Eziowelle and the ancestor of Awkuzu, Ogbunike, Umuleri, Aguleri, Nnado etc, that is why Dunukofia belongs to Omambala associations.

Though, there is no proper time recorded for the migration. Nri was believed to be the eldest of the siblings, therefore he performed the purifying function in the whole of igbo land, and so did his descendants.

OLDEN OCCUPATION OF DUNUKOFIA PEOPLE
Dunukofia was a renowed farmer, the farm products he gots always triggered envy from it's neighbouring towns and uptil now, Ukwulu town still holds the ancient occupation of their ancestors.
Dunukofia was also a celebrated hunter and warrior. Because of the thick forest around him, him and his children took the advantages to make hunting one of their occupations. And because of bravery of Dunukofia, he was a renowned wrestler and a great warrior among his neighbouring town and Ukpo has taken up that traits from their father.

MARITAL LIFE OF DUNUKOFIA
Dunu was a very successful hunter, warrior and a farmer and because of his versatality, he owns many slaves. He got married to two wives, Obumma was the first wife, while Ayolo was the second wife.

Obumma was the mother of Ukpo, Ifite and Ukwulu, while Ayolo gave birth to Nnachi-ogu and Okachi (Dioka). They were called the children of Dunu, that lived at Okofia. Therefore, Ukpo, Ifite, Nnachi, Dioka and Ukwulu were the progenitors of the present day Ukpo, Ifitedunu, Umunachi, Umudioka and Ukwulu towns.

SUMMARY OF GENEALOGY ON DUNUKOFIA
In this write up, I will briefly summarize and outline the towns and villages that made up Dunukofia.
1. OBUMMA CHILDREN
A. UKPO
(i) Oranto
(ii) Isiekwulu
(iii) Akpu
(iv) Akezi

B. IFITEDUNU
(i) Umungagu
a. Obieze
b. Ukpommili
c. Akwa
(ii) Umuezeanugo
a. Umuanugo
b. Igbuala

C. UKWULU
(i) Enuagu
(ii) Amegbu
(iii) Umugama
(iv) Adagbe

2. AYOLO CHILDREN
A. UMUNNACHI
(i) Ozuh
(ii) Umueze
(iii) Nkwelle
(iv) Mgbuke
(v) Nagbana

B. UMUDIOKA
(i) Adagbe
a. Okpuru
b. Uruowelle
c. Uruagu
d. Umuezekwo
e. Umueze
f. Ugwu

(ii) Olioba
a. Akpom
b. Umuchigbo
c. Umuezechua
d. Umuajana

OLDEN ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM OF DUNUKOFIA
The five towns of Dunukofia had their systems of administration through which they performed executive, legislative and judicial functions. There was no division of function as we have it today, rather executive, legislative and judicial functions were fused together and performed by the elders and the titled men.
Their decisions were often implemented or enforced through the following agencies: age grades, masquerades, the alusi and umuada. The communities in Dunukofia were separately administered, they came together at their meeting place at Ukpo only when a gravious/serious offence had been committed like killing of masquerades (igbu mmuo), in times of war or a dispute between one town in Dunukofia and another.

MODERN ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM OF DUNUKOFIA
There was formation of town unions, which championed the promotion of the interests of their own. The town unions administered the executive functions and distributed the judiciary and legislative function to the appropriate units.
The following are the town unions in Dunukofia:
1. Ukwulu Town Union ( U.T.U)
2. Umudioka Improvement Union (U.I.U)
3. Ukpo Town Union (U.T.U)
4. Ifitedunu Town Union (I.F.U)
5. Nawgu Development Union (N.D.U)
6. Umunnachi Improvement Union (U.I.U)

FIRST IGWES IN DUNUKOFIA
1. H.R.H Igwe Micheal Eze
Ukpo
2. H.R.H Igwe S.N. Chukwunulu
Umudioka
3. H.R.H Igwe Engr A.C Okoye
Ifitedunu
4. H.R.H Igwe F.E.O Ugochukwu Onochie
Umunnachi
5. H.R.H Igwe Chukwukadibia Tagbo
Ukwulu

NAMES OF DEITIES IN DUNUKOFIA
Deities in Dunukofia had shrines where they were worshipped or venerated. Like the modern day court of law, the deities were the harbingers of justice. They ensured that justice and equity were maintained in the day-to-day administration of the society.
The deities in Dunukofia:
a. Ani shrine (Okwu ana)
b. Ajani shrine
c. Ifejioku
d. Aro
e. Ugwogwo
f. Oye
g. Nkissa
h. Akpu
i. Omechili
j. Mkpukpa
k. Neze
l. Mmanka
m. Ogbegbe
n. Okpimodu
o. Isiukwulu
p. Ikenga
q. Nneukwulu
r. Agumaro

DUNUKOFIA AS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT
With the introduction of the local government system in the sixties, Ukpo, Ifitedunu and Ukwulu remained in Njikoka local government area with headquarters at Abagana, while Umudioka and Umunnachi were in Idemili local government area, with Ogidi as it's headquarters.

The reunification of the people under one local government Area became a reality in 1996 through the onerous and untiring effort of our illustrious son, a Prince of the clan, Prince Engineer Arthur Eze. He single handedly made Dunukofia a local government of six towns. Nawgu which was previously in Njikoka local government Area decided to join Dunukofia local government. Thus, the towns in Dunukofia local government area are: Ukpo as the headquarters, Ifitedunu, Umunnachi, Umudioka, Ukwulu and Nawgu.

FESTIVALS OF NDI DUNUKOFIA
Dunukofia has a rich array of festivals that marked it out from it's neighbours. Dunukofia were known for their rich cultural displays and festivals. Dunukofia in this regard could be termed a miniature form of the igbo race, in so far as festivals were concerned.
There were festivals celebrating the starting of the farming season, festivals of harvest, those showing or signifying rest from work, there yet others celebrating success in farming, successful return from a journey, victory from war, appreciation to a deity for it's protection, in fact, the list cannot be exhausted.
Dunukofia people had the big and the small festivals. These festivals were spread all through the year and celebrated with great zeal and absolute delight by the people.
Festivals were not uniformly celebrated in Dunukofia clan. But in this write-up, I will discuss, the festivals that is being celebrated by the five towns, that made up Dunukofia, together.
1. ALOMMUO/IWAJI OR NEW YAM FESTIVAL
Alommuo, now called Iwaji due to Christian influences was celebrated by all the towns in Dunukofia, in the beginning of every traditional year, which was, in the month of September. It was called Alommuo Dunukofia (today, Iwaji Dunukofia).
Nowadays, the function of Iwaji is performed for the towns by their traditional rulers. The Okofia of Ukpo does it symbolically for the whole town, while the traditional rulers of the various communities do so for their respective towns.
After the Iwaji (cutting of the yam) by the traditional rulers, individuals would then commence the cutting and eating of the yam in their homes.
It is often highly celebrated with guests trooping in from neighboring communities. It was a taboo, in fact, a great sacrilege for one to dig out yam and eat before the performance of this festival. The culprit was said to have committed the taboo of Ufejioku (the gods of crops)
Christians do celebrate New yam festival today, not because they do not want to incur the wrath of Ufejioku, but as a sign of thankfulness to God Almighty. Even before the festival, people do not only dig and eat, but equally but yams from the market and eat.
New yam festival is a symbol of cultural identity and also a cultural symbol of unity in the clan.

2. OFALA FESTIVAL
Ofala is celebrated in most clans in Dunukofia, as a memorial ceremony for the remembrance of the ay, the traditional ruler of the community ascended the throne or was installed as a king.
Indigenes of different towns in Dunukofia clan always look forward to their ofala festivals, which take place annually, usually towards the end of the year.
Ofala festivals is also an avenue, for the traditional rulers to pray for the progress of their subjects and protections against evil.

TABOOS IN DUNUKOFIA
The following below are regarded as Taboos (Alu) in Dunukofia.
1. Adultery
2. Theft
3. Uprooting or cutting the tendrils of new planted yam or cocoyam
4. The setting of fire on a house or a barn
5. Climbing of palm treeor kolanut tree by woman
6. Killing of totem Animal (sacred pythons, sacred green snakes etc)
7.Murderv
8. Suicide
9. Incest
10. Sexual intercourse with a woman still mourning her husband.

BRIEF HISTORY OF CHURCHES IN DUNUKOFIA
1. CHURCH IN UMUDIOKA
The C.M.S missionaries in Umudioka planted the first seed of Christianity in Dunukofia in 1904.
The Roman catholic brought and sowed the seed of catholicism in Umudioka in 1913.

2. CHURCH IN UKWULU
The Anglican church came to Ukwulu in the year 1905.
The Roman catholic came into existence in Ukwulu in 1928, but it died out almost immediately due to some problems. It was only in 1930, that it made a come back and has continued to stay up until today.

3. CHURCH IN IFITEDUNU
Anglican church came into existence in 1921 into Ifitedunu with the help of C.M.S in Umudioka.
Roman catholic church came into Ifitedunu in the year 1911.

4. CHURCH IN UMUNNACHI
C.M.S missionaries was established in Umunnachi in the year 1910.
The catholic church came into existence in 1914 in Umunnachi.

5. CHURCH IN UKPO
Anglican church planted their first seed in Ukpo in 1914.
The Roman catholic came into existence in Ukpo in the year, 1923.

PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN DUNUKOFIA
1. St. Mary's High School, Ifitedunu
2. Walter Eze Memorial Secondary School, Ukpo
3. Community Secondary School, Umunnachi
4. Nneamaka Girls’ Secondary School, Ifitedunu
5. Community Secondary School, Ukpo
6. Community Secondary School, Ukwulu
7. Girls Secondary School, Umudioka
8. Community High School, Nawgu

MARKETS IN DUNUKOFIA CLAN
1. Oye Ukpo
2. Nkwo Ifitedunu
3. Eke Umunnachi
4. Afor Ukwulu
5. Afor-igwe, Umudioka
6. Afor Nawgu.

CONCLUSION
Finally, if Dunukofia people remain as united as they are now, if we eschew corruption and redirect our attention to all these things that are noble in total neglect of all forms of base political and social behavior, Dunukofia will in the nearest future be the envy of all other towns around them, more than ever before.
DUNU AMAKA!!!!!!!

Written by:
Mgbatogu Victor Chukwudi
Observer....
07037211667
Umudioka.