“Ohaozara” — historically known as “Ohaozara Obodoisii” is a culturally rich region in Igboland, located in present-day Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Ohaozara comprises six towns: Oshiri-Ugoeze, Uburu-Adunsiegbe, Isu-Okoma, Ugwulangwu-Ezeokechima, Okposi-Ezinasato and Onicha–Igboeze.
The name Ohaozara comes from the phrase “Oha Ozara,” meaning “land of the desert.” or “the community of the open plain” While Obodoisii comes from “Obodo Isii,” meaning “six towns.” Therefore, Ohaozara Obodoisii means Ohaozara of six towns, which signifies that six towns make up Ohaozara. Early settlers gave this name to a once-sparse, sunlit region where they found fertile land and peace.
According to oral traditions and local history, the migration of the six towns began around 1700 AD, each tracing its roots to ancestral Igbo clans with Oshiri being the first town to settle. Ohaozara is a product of three blood that begets six towns, the land of three pairs of brothers, meaning each in town in Ohaozara has a brother in Ohaozara — Okposi are bloodily tied with Oshiri, while Onicha and Ugwulangwu are bloodily tied and Uburu and Isu are both tied by blood as well. During their immigration period, each town developed its own settlement pattern, leadership structure and tradition but all shared a sense brotherhood, same lifestyle and culture therefore these independent communities became closely related through trade, intermarriage, language, and shared customs — forming the great clan known as Ohaozara Obodoisii.
Although each of the town went to war with the towns boundaries are shared which made Onicha to have fought with the rest of the five towns.
Today, Ohaozara stands as a living emblem of Igbo resilience — blending ancient wisdom with modern progress while preserving its cultural pride and spiritual depth both home and across the world.
Timeline
Pre-1700s: Wilderness region known as Ozara, sparsely inhabited.
1700s: Migrations from surrounding Igbo territories form the six major towns.
1800s: Growth of trade routes and salt commerce; expansion of village alliances.
1900s (Colonial Era): Introduction of Western education, Christianity, and new governance structures.
1976: Adapting Ohaozara as a LGA in old Imo State.
1996: Ebonyi State established, with Ohaozara as a LGA with three towns.
2000s–Present: Rapid expansion of education, infrastructure, and global diaspora networks preserving Ohaozara identity.
Oshiri Ugueze: One of the earliest settlements, Oshiri is known for its strong traditional governance and historical ties to early Igbo migrations.
Uburu Adunsiegbe: Famous for its natural salt lakes and trade, Uburu symbolizes industriousness and enterprise.
Isu Okoma: The northern frontier of Ohaozara, known for its lineage systems and traditional rites that date back centuries.
Ugwulangwu Ezeokechima: A town of hills and courage, home to farmers, hunters, and skilled craftsmen who shaped Ohaozara’s agrarian life.
Okposi Ezinasato: The industrial hub of Ohaozara, Okposi is also noted for the sacred Okposi Okwu salt lake, revered in Igbo history.
Onicha Igboeze: Strategically positioned at the heart of Ohaozara, Onicha serves as a cultural and social crossroads for the six towns.
Ohaozara families trace their origins through oral history, totems, and ancestral marks that have been preserved through generations. Family identities are often tied to specific villages or kindreds, symbolizing bloodlines of trust, honour, and legacy.
Within Ohaozara, respect for ancestry is a sacred duty — every family is a living archive, carrying forward the memory of forebears who built the land.
The digital heritage initiative of this website aims to document these family lineages, preserving them as a searchable record for future generations of Ohaozara descendants around the world.