IDUMUJE UGBOKO: BRIEF HISTORIC BACKGROUND
In the beginning God created the heaven and earth… and the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. This is the holy books record of the creation of our world by God. A critical study of this wonderful and beautiful first habitation of man in Eden is not too far from what nature has preserved for mankind in the mountains of delta- Idumuje Ugboko. This very unique and nature’s blessing is the home of an ancient great kingdom of a very wonderful and good people.
The climate there is amazing, it is so right that both tropical and non tropical plants grow well. The early morning and late-night dews- is an all year round feature, no wonder the community is otherwise called- “the forest that bellows smoke without fire” this keeps the village green all year.
Idumuje Ugboko is located at the highest point in delta state, about 1000ft above sea level. Renown for the great seven kings, seven tombs and seven streams that converged in the village and heads towards the great river Niger.
“And the Lord God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and keep it” says the holy book. the man here can be likened to the Nwoko’s of Idumuje Ugboko, who from generation to generation have helped in the development of the community, through t
he dynasty of the seven kings and other outstanding individuals in the family, who have brought honour and glory to the community in their sphere of contact and service.
Currently, there is another Garden of Eden in this great kingdom. The Prince Ned Nwoko mansion. This estate is really a place of delight and pleasure, where nature is best appreciated in her diversity- exotic plants, unique and challenging architectural masterpiece, orchards, zoo, ranch, fishponds, poultry, innovative fountains, Egyptian like tunnel, modern indoor and outdoor sports facilities, golf course, games and orienteering, breathe taking100ft tower on a 1000ft location, artworks, artifacts, painting of Africa, western and eastern origins and much more, all in creative harmony.
History has it that the ancient people of idumuje ugboko migrated from the ancient Benin kingdom of Edo state, travelled through time till they settled at their present-day location in delta state of Nigeria. Historically, the ancient people of Idumuje Ugboko were skilled farmers, weavers, hunters and blacksmiths, according to a missionary writer Fari Dennis in her book “ new dawn” the people were quite civilized in their traditional ways and naturally peaceful, she talked about the tobacco smoking habits of the women and their caring and accommodating lifestyle.
Towards the end of the 18th century, the whites came to Idumuje Ugboko in search of slaves. The king felt they ought not to participate in the slave trade unlike other communities where their kings sold their subjects into slavery.
The king then referred to as the “Young Nwoko” led a war called “Ekumeku” or “EKWUMEKWU” which translated means “do not talk about it” or “not to be spoken about”. The Ekumeku was a forest silent army that operates secret warfare strategies. They dug trenches and covered them with grasses and allowed the white invaders fall into them before they struck. They were quite successful because they actually prevented the whites from picking slaves from their kingdom.
It is a fact that Idumuje Ugboko have lived in peace with her neighbours without any record of war, except of course the very necessary Ekumeku war.