HISTORY
OF AKOLI IMENYI
Akoli imenyi is a prominent community from the Igbo ethnic group, and it is located in Bende Local government Area, of Abia State, in Southern eastern of Nigeria. It has large population of people. It is boarded by Nkpa, Lohum, Colony, Alayi and Isukwuato, and it blessed with natural resources and cash crops including cassava, yam and palm oil.The name Akoli is a symbolic name. Imenyi who was the father of Akoli was born into the family of Obiangwu, Obiangwu married two wives, and one of his wives gave birth to Imenyi and Amawu (descendants of Amawu are known as Isuamawu). Historically Uzuakoli, Nkpa, Akoli and Amoji are grandsons of Imenyi. There is a stone known as Nkume asaa which binds Akoli, Amoji, Amoji-Lodu, Akaelu-Lodu, Lohum, Nkpa, and Uzuakoli which form the name UMUIMENYI. Akoli observes eight calendar days and these was derived from the four major market days namely Eke, Orie, Afor, Nkwo. Each market days has to be split into two which could be called nke Ukwu- Eke Ukwu, Orie Ukwu, Afo Ukwu, Nkwo Ukwu, and nke Nta which is Eke Nta, Orie nta, Afor nta, Nkwo nta. But Akoli people mostly sold on Eke in which some merchandize sold at the central market which includes cash crops, arts, livestock’s, and various articles of clothing etc. people travel neighbouring communities to participate in this market. Akoli has three autonomous communites that is Umuirem Autonomous community, Ngodo Autonomous community, and Amafor Autonomous community. The social cultural life of Ndi Akoli revolves around various cultural and social celebrations. Most of them in keeping with traditions established by our fore fathers are keeping with such traditions
