| Group: | Aro people |
| Population: | Upwards of 1.1 million |
| Popplace: | Nigeria |
| Rels: | Christianity, Traditional |
| Langs: | Igbo, Ibibio, Cross River languages, English |
| Related: | Ibibio, Efik, Ekoi, Bahumono, Ijo, Igala, Idoma, other Igbo peoples |
The Aro people or Aros are an Igbo subgroup[1] that originated from the Arochukwu kingdom in present-day Abia state, Nigeria. The Aros can also be found in about 250 other settlements mostly in the Southeastern Nigeria and adjacent areas. The Aros today are classified as Eastern or Cross River Igbos because of their location, mixed origins, culture, and dialect. Their god, Chukwu Abiama, was a key factor in establishing the Aro Confederacy as a regional power in the Niger Delta and Southeastern Nigeria during the 18th and 19th centuries.
See main article: Aro History.
The history of the Aros predates Igbo migration and founding of the kingdom of Arochukwu. During the Bantu expansion, a group of Proto Ibibio migrated to the area and established the Mbot Abasi Kingdom. The Proto Ibibio group originally came from Usak Edet (Isanguele), a segment of the Ejagham in present-day Southern Cameroon. Igbo migrations led by Eze Agwu from Abiriba and Nnachi from Edda migrated into the Aro region started in the mid-17th century. These Igbo migrants were resisted by the indigenous proto Ibibios. The Aro-Ibibio Wars and the migration of the Akpa from east of the Cross River, formed the nation during the turning point of the 17th century to the 18th century. The Efik were originally from the Ibom Kingdom and might have left before or during the Aro-Ibibio Wars. The Igbo and Akpa alliance, defeated and assimilated the original Ibibio inhabitants after long years of warfare. By this time, the palm oil and slave trade was popular in the hinterland. By the mid-18th century, there were mass migrations of Aro businessmen to the Igbo hinterland and adjacent areas. This migration, influence of their god Chukwu Abiama through priests, and their military power supported by alliances with several related neighboring Igbo and eastern Cross River militarized states (particularly Ohafia, Abam, Ihechiowa, Abiriba, Nkporo, Afikpo, Ekoi, etc.) quickly established the Aro Confederacy as a regional economic power. However, Aro economic hegemony was threatened by the penetration of Europeans, mainly British colonists towards the end of the 19th century. Tensions finally led to bloodshed, and the Anglo-Aro war took place from 1901 to 1902. The Aro Confederacy stoutly resisted but eventually suffered defeat. This helped the British to occupy the rest of what became Eastern Nigeria.
The Aros have a rich tradition. One factor is the Ekpe society which is a sacred society originally from east of the Cross River. The highly religious and judicial society took a major part in Aro society. The use of the writing system, Nsibidi, was based on secret societies like Ekpe. Uli, another writing system, occurred mostly in the form of body art.
Another factor is the Chukwu Abiama Temple, which was mediated by the Aro priesthood. They influenced neighbors and allies before the British invasion and destruction of the Chukwu Abiama Temple and Aro priesthood. The Ekeleke masquerade activity was important in Aro settlements. Brought from the Aros in the western Niger Delta, it eventually spread to the Oguta area. They also were known for wearing the popular "George" cloth. The Ikperikpe warrior dance was very famous among warriors in the old days and continues to be in use.
| Name | Town/LGA | State/Country | Notes | Notable People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aro Ajatakairi | Ikwuano | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Achara | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Okporoenyi | Bendel | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Ayama | Ikwuano | Abia State, Nigeria | Late Mazi (Sir) Ugochukwu Kanu and late Col. Okoro | ||
| Aro Amuru | Ikwuano | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Ngwa | Abia State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ama-Asa | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro UmuNkpe | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Nbawsi | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Omoba | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro UmuEru | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro UmuAro | Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Onicha Ngwa | |||||
| Aro Isuochi | Abia State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ahuma Abam | Abia State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Nde Ijere | Ohafia | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Uzuakoli | Abia State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ndizuogu | Ideato, Okigwe and Onuimo LGAs | Imo State, Nigeria | Largest Aro settlement | Izuogu Mgbokpo, Igwegbe Odum, Mbonu Ojike | |
| Aro Oguta | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Izombe | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Oru | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Oji | Owerri | Imo State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Ihite Owerri | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Iheosu | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Awa | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Mbana | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Atta Ikeduru | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Umunneoha | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Iheagwa | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ndi Ikerionwu | Anambra State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ajali | Anambra State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Azia | Anambra State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Abagana | Anambra State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ndi-Owu | Anambra State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Isiopko | Ikwerre | Rivers State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Igirita | Ikwerre | Rivers State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Kalabari | Rivers State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Opobo | Rivers State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ikpa | Enugu State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Amokwe | Udi Enugu | Enugu State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Ezeagu | Enugu State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Achi | Enugu State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Nkalagu | Enugu State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Okposi | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Onueke | Ezza | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Nsukka | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Nzerem | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ikwo | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ndi okoro | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ikot Ukana | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Obuoro ite | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Idoma | Benue State, Nigeria | Ukpabi of Ochu Idoma | |||
| Aro Umudara Njiaba | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Umuejike Njiaba | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Nempi | Oru West LGA | Imo State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro ibiasoegbe | Mbgidi | Imo State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Ezial | Mgbidi | Imo State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Ugbele | Mgbidi | Imo State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Uzun’umu-mgbidi | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Eleh-oru West | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ubulu-Oru West | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Nde Ikokwo-Uli | Anambra State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ndi Egungwu-Uli | Anambra State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ubuluisiuzo-Ihiala | Anambra State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Umuezeawara-Ihiala | Anambra State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Iseke-Iheala | |||||
| Aro izzi | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Awonmanma-Oru East | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Otulu-Oru East | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Amiri-Oru East | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Amuro-Okigwe | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Amuzari na Aro Anara-Isiala Mbano | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Nkwesi-Oguta | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro ndi-Okparaeze-Orumba North | Anambra State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Umudike-Ikwuano | Abia State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro oji/Aro Ndeokoroji, na Aro Ndinwafor-Okigwe | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Nike-Nike | Enugu State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Amawom-Eziala-Isialangwa | Abia State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Atah [Atani Agbor] | Isiala Mbano | Imo State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Umuororonjo [Nde ujah] | Owerri Municipal | Imo State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Azia-Ihiala | Anambra State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ikwo | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Effium | Ohaukwu LGA | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Isu na Aro onichi-Onicha LGA | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Uburu | Ohazara LGA | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Abakaliki na Aro Ezillo | Ebonyi State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Nkerefi | Nkanu East LGA | Enugu State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Obohia-Ahiazu Mbaise | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Umulolo-Okigwe | Imo State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Nkalunta na Nde Totty na Aro Oboro | Ikwuano | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Ndi itee na Nde Okereke | Abam - Arochukwu LGA | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Ndi okpalaeke na Ndi Aguluezechukwu | Aguata LGA | Anambra State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Mbutu | Aboh Mbaise | Imo State, Nigeria | Emeka Ihedioha | ||
| Aro Ndi Ajugwo | Mbosi Ihiala | Anambra State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Ndi Akweke | Orsumogho Ihiala | Anambra State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Ndi Oji | Ukpor/Ihembosi | ||||
| Aro Ozubulu | Anambra State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Egbuoma | Oguta LGA | Imo State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro panya, na Aro Fernando poo | Equatorial Guinea | ||||
| Aro Itu-Nta Ibere | Ikwuano Umuahia LGA | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Ikot Ukana | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Onicha Ngwa | Ìsì ala Ngwa | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Ntalakwu | Bende | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Mbala-Isuochi | Abia State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Ikot Umo Essien | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Onicha Ngwa | Abia State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Udi | Enugu State, Nigeria | ||||
| Aro Effium | |||||
| Aro Isuikwuato | |||||
| Aro Uturu Okigwe | |||||
| Aro Amaokwe | |||||
| Aro Nta | Mbaise | Imo State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Itu-Nta Ibere | Ikwuano | Abia State, Nigeria | |||
| Aro Eziala Nsulu | Isiala Ngwa | Abia State, Nigeria | Nde Ujah in Atani | ||
| Aro Mbiabong | Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | Nde Akweke, Obinkita |