View source for Aro Confederacy

{{short description|Former country in present southeastern Nigeria}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Aro Confederacy
| native_name            = Omu Aro
| common_name            = Aro Confederacy
| status                 = Confederation
| era                    = [[Early modern]]
| year_start             = 1640
| date_start             = 
| year_end               = 1902
| date_end               = 
| p1                     = Aro people
| flag_p1                = 
| s1                     = Colonial Nigeria
| flag_s1                = Flag of Nigeria (1914–1952).svg
| national_motto         = 
| national_anthem        = 
| image_flag             = Nzuko-Arochukwu.png
| image_map              = 
| image_map_caption      = 
| common_languages       = {{hlist |[[Igbo language|Igbo]] |[[Ibibio language|Ibibio]] |[[Ekoid languages|Ekoi]] |<br/>[[Ijaw language|Ijaw]] |[[Efik language|Efik]] |and others}}
| capital                = [[Arochukwu]]
| leader1                = [[Eze]] Aro
| government_type        = {{nowrap|[[Constitutional monarchy]]}}
| currency               = {{ubl |[[Manillas]] |[[Cowry|Cowry shell]]s |[[Slavery in Africa|Slaves]]}}
| today                  = [[Nigeria]]<br>[[Cameroon]]<br>[[Equatorial Guinea]]<br>[[Gabon]]
}}
{{History of Nigeria}}
The '''Aro Confederacy''' (1640–1902) was a political union orchestrated by the [[Aro people]], an [[Igbo people|Igbo]] subgroup, centered in [[Arochukwu]] in present-day southeastern [[Nigeria]]. The Aro Confederacy kingdom was founded after the beginning of the [[Aro-Ibibio Wars]]. Their influence and presence was all over [[Eastern Nigeria]], lower [[Middle Belt]], and parts of present-day [[Cameroon]] and [[Equatorial Guinea]] during the 18th and 19th centuries. The [[Arochukwu]] Kingdom was an economic, political, and an oracular center as it was home of the [[Ibini Ukpabi]] oracle, High Priests, the Aro King ''Eze Aro'', and central council (Okpankpo). The Aro Confederacy was a powerful and influential political and economic alliance of various Igbo-speaking communities in southeastern Nigeria.{{cn|date=August 2023}} It emerged during the 17th century and played a significant role in the region until the late 19th century.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nwauwa |first=Apollos O. |date=1995 |title=The Evolution of the Aro Confederacy in Southeastern Nigeria, 1690-1720. A Theoretical Synthesis of State Formation Process in Africa |url=https://ucl.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/44UCL_INST/1iadg31/cdi_proquest_journals_1298771982 |journal=[[Anthropos (journal)|Anthropos]] |volume=90 |issue=4/6 |pages=353–364 |via=UCL Library}}</ref>

== Rise and strength ==
The exact origins of the Aro Confederacy are not precisely documented, but it is believed to have been established around the mid-17th century. The [[Arochukwu|Aro]] people, who were part of the Igbo ethnic group, inhabited the region around present-day Arochukwu in Abia State, Nigeria. They were skilled traders and missionaries who played a pivotal role in connecting various Igbo communities. This migration and their military power, and wars with neighboring kingdoms like supported by their alliances with several related neighboring Igbo and eastern Cross River militarized states (particularly [[Ohafia]], [[Afikpo South|Edda]], [[Abam]], [[Abiriba]], [[Afikpo]], [[Ekoi people|Ekoi]], [[Bahumono]], [[Amasiri]], Uzuakoli etc.), quickly established the Aro Confederacy as a regional economic power. The Aro Confederacy's strength came from its well-organized network of Aro agents who were dispersed across different communities in the region. These agents acted as intermediaries in trade, diplomacy, and religious matters. They facilitated commerce, resolved disputes, and spread the worship of the Aro deity known as the "[[Ibini Ukpabi|Long Juju]]" oracle.
[[File:Igbo swords.png|center|thumb|235x235px|Igbo made swords acquired by Jean Barbot 1699]]
[[File:Arochukwu influence.png|center|thumb|211x211px]]

== The "Long Juju" oracle ==
The "[[Ibini Ukpabi|Long Juju]]" oracle was the spiritual centerpiece of the Aro Confederacy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |title=Arochkwu Long Juju Slave Route (Cave Temple Complex) |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5170/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en}}</ref> It was housed in [[Arochukwu]] and considered a potent source of political authority and religious guidance. The [[Aro people|Aro]] people used the oracle to enforce their influence and control over surrounding communities. It also served as a means to administer justice and settle disputes, often attracting pilgrims seeking solutions to their problems.
[[File:-Remains of Long Juju Gorge, Arochuku-, late 19th century (imp-cswc-GB-237-CSWC47-LS2-041).jpg|center|thumb|230x230px|Remains of Long JuJu of Arochukwu, late 19th century]]

== Economic power ==
The Aro Confederacy gained significant economic power through trade relations with the Oguta-Ameshi, Onitsha, and Kalabari monarchies. Their economy was primarily based on sale of slaves and agriculture with crops like [[palm oil]], yams, and assava.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arochukwu {{!}} Igbo People, Slave Trade & Oracle {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Arochukwu |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> During the [[Atlantic slave trade|Trans-Atlantic slave trade]], the Aro were the primary provider of slaves to the wealthy riverine Igbo merchants of Oguta (Oguta-Ameshi Ameshi, Onitsha, and Kalabari. The prominent international slave markets in Igboland were the Oguta Lake Slave Market, Onitsha, Abonnema, and Bonny. These markets were centres of international trade, diplomacy, and major gateways through which Western civilization entered Igboland.

== Confederacy ==
[[Aro people|Aro]] activities on the coast helped the growth of city-states in the [[Niger Delta]], and these city states became important centres for the export of palm oil and slaves. Such [[city-state]]s included [[Opobo]], [[Kingdom of Bonny|Bonny]], [[Nembe Kingdom|Nembe]], [[Calabar]], as well as other slave trading city-states controlled by the [[Ijaw people|Ijaw]], [[Efik people|Efik]], and [[Igbo people|Igbo]]. The Aros formed a strong trading network, colonies, and incorporated hundreds of communities that formed into powerful kingdoms. The [[Ajalli]], [[Arondizuogu]], [[Ndikelionwu]], and Kingdoms were some of the most powerful Aro states in the Confederacy after Arochukwu. Some were founded and named after commanders and chiefs like [[Izuogu Mgbokpo]] and [[Iheme]] who led Aro/Abam forces to conquer [[Ikpa Ora]] and founded Arondizuogu. Later Aro commanders such as [[Okoro Idozuka]] (also of Arondizuogu) expanded the state's borders through warfare at the start of the 19th century. Aro migrations also played a large role in the expansion of Ozizza, Afikpo, Amasiri, Izombe, and many other city-states. For example, Aro soldiers founded at least three villages in Ozizza. The Aro Confederacy's power, however, derived mostly from its economic and religious position. With European colonists on their way at the end of the 19th century, things changed.
[[File:Pre colonial igbo trading routes.jpg|center|thumb|Pre-Colonial Igbo trading routes]]

== Decline ==
During the 1890s, the [[Royal Niger Company]] of [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|Britain]] bore friction with the Aros because of their economic dominance. The Aro resisted British penetration in the hinterland because their economic and religious influence was being threatened. The Aro and their allies launched offensives against British allies in [[Igboland]] and [[Ibibioland]]. After failed negotiations, the British attempted to conquer the Aro Confederacy in 1899. By 1901, the tensions were especially intensified when British prepared for the Aro Expedition. The invasion of [[Obegu]] (in Igboland) was the last major Aro offensive before the start of the [[Anglo-Aro War]]. In November 1901, the British launched the Aro Expedition and after strong Aro resistance, Arochukwu was captured on December 28, 1901. By early 1902, the war was over and the Aro Confederacy collapsed. Contrary to the belief that the [[Ibini Ukpabi]] was destroyed, the [[Ibini Ukpabi#Shrine|shrine]] still exists, and is intact in Arochukwu and serves mainly as a tourist site.<ref name="The Temple Complex and the Oracle of Ibin Ukpabi">{{cite web |title=The Temple Complex and the Oracle of Ibin Ukpabi |url=http://people.wku.edu/johnston.njoku/arochukwu/temple_complex/ |access-date=2023-06-28 |website=ITS - Website Hosting - Personal/Professional - Western Kentucky University}}</ref> 
[[File:Burning of Arochukwu 1901.png|thumb|Burning of Arochukwu, 1901|left|290x290px]]
[[File:"The Opening Up of Nigeria, the Expedition Against the Aros by Richard Caton Woodville II" 1901 (.png|alt="The Opening Up of Nigeria, the Expedition Against the Aros by Richard Caton Woodville II" 1901|thumb|"The Opening Up of Nigeria, the Expedition Against the Aros by Richard Caton Woodville II" 1901|center|274x274px]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=August 2015}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.arookigbo.com Arookigbo.com]
*[http://countrystudies.us/nigeria/7.htm Countrystudies.us]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060116051533/http://www.nigeriafirst.org/article_3791.shtml Nigeriafirst.org]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041203205324/http://www.apuncna.com/ Apuncna.com]
*[http://www.aronewsonline.com Aronewsonline.org]
*http://www.ebonyionline.com/the-concise-history-of-ozizza/

{{Igbo topics}}

[[Category:Countries in precolonial Africa]]
[[Category:Aros]]
[[Category:History of Igboland]]
[[Category:History of Cameroon]]
[[Category:Former monarchies of Africa]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1690]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1902]]
[[Category:1690 establishments in Africa]]
[[Category:1902 disestablishments in Nigeria]]