ITEM PEOPLE
ITEM (pronounced EETEM) is one of the communities in Bende Local Government Area in Abia State of Nigeria. It is bordered by Akeze (in Ebonye State) in the North; Nkporo in the East; Alayi in the West; and Abiriba and Igbere in the South.
Item Community consists of nine villages: Apanu (formerly known as Akwanu), Akanu, Amaekpu, Amaeke, Amaokwe, Okagwe, Okai, Okoko, and Umuakpa.
Each village is made up of autonomous communities with Eze (King). Okpi of Item is the overall Eze for all of Item.
LANGUAGES
Item people speak Igbo with a special dialect. Some of the unique words are dede or oko (used in addressing any senior male other than one’s father), mmo (used in addressing a senior female other than one’s mother); Nnawo – Nnenyi iborla. Jokwa (hello, how are you), and nnawo (good morning) are commonly expressed.It may be worthy of noting that in the greater part of the Igbo dialect, Ji means yam. However, in Item Ji means husband. Yam is called Ndi.COMMON NAMES: Ogbonnaya, Nnanna, Nnenna, Ada, Ori, Okereke, Okoronkwo, Okoroafor, Okorie, Kalu, Agwu, Oyidiya, Mgbafo, Eke, Uguru are very common names in Item
CULTURAL FESTIVALS & DANCES
Some of the cultural festivals are Ita Achicha, Iwa Ndi Ama, Igwa Agwu, Iri-ndi (new Yam Festival) and Ite Ikoro. Igwa Mmam is observed in May, followed by Ita Achicha between June and July. Iwa Ndi Ama is celebrated eight days before the new yam festival while Igwa Agwu comes two days prior to the new yam festival. New Yam festival comes in late August or early September. Eight and sixteen days after the New Yam Festivals, Akwanu and Amaeke celebrate Ikoro respectively. Major cultural dances include Udunkulu, Achumpu, Ikoro, Ikerikpe Ogu (war dance), Oboni (for initiated men only), Aku (for initiated men only), Akpaoge, Mbe, Oyimara, George, Ekpe, Ojonkwu, Ilu, Ayarakata.
MARKET DAYS
In Igbo culture, a week is made up of eight days. Item people call it Izu: Afo ukwu; Nkwo Ukwu; Eke Ukwu; Orie Ukwu; Afo Nta; Nkwo Nta; Eke Nta; and Orie Nta. In Item, communities have their market days as follows: Afo Ukwu at Amaokwe; Nkwo Nta at Okoko; Eke Ukwu at Akanu; Eke Nta at Okai and Akwanu; and Afo Nta at Amaekpu.
IDA NORTH AMERICA
The National Association of ITEM DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, NORTH AMERICA Inc (IDA NA is proud to serve the cultural, social, educational, and economic needs of ITEM people living in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2019, we are a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that comprises of 5 associations under a single national umbrella. We are a national union and a full welfare organization supporting the socio-cultural and education needs of ITEM people living in the United States and Canada.
OUR MISSION
- To unite all ITEM people resident in North America and other parts of the world;
- To promote ITEM culture and advance social, educational, and economic advancement of ITEM people; and
- To foster good relationships between ITEM people and members of other communities in the United States and other countries.