Ubakala is a large town in Umuahia SouthLocal Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. It is one of the major ancient clans of Umuahia. A popular market for which it is known is the Apumiri Market. Umuahia South Local Government Area Headquarters is located at Apumiri as well. Ubakala is situated southwards of Umuahia main township. Its well defined boundaries geographically places it at the North of Ntigha.
History
There is the popular belief that Ubakala didn't migrate from anywhere in the distant past. Legend however has it that a wealthy merchant called Uba founded what we know today as Ubakala. It was said that as he sojourned with his family, goods and servants across undulating hills and valleys towards the Imo river, he discovered a lush rainforest inhabited only by wild beasts and large trees. As he surveyed the entire virgin territory, he finally exclaimed to himself "Uba ikala!", thus, coining a name for his newfound domain - Ubakala. It was also said that he placed his sons in three strategic areas of the land namely - Mba-iyi, Ala-ocha and Nsuda-Imo. His sons helped manage his wealth in these three areas and gave rise to children who overtime married and had their own offsprings which over generations evolved into villages.
Cuisine
Traditional cuisine typically involves Pounded yam and Okazi soup. Other soups popular in Ubakala are the achara soup, Oha soup, elile soup and the Ughu soup. Delicacies consumed in other parts of Igboland as well as Ibibio-efik communities are consumed in Ubakala too.
Religion
In ancient times, Ubakala people were Animists whose practices bore interesting similarities to Judaism as seen also in every other Igbo community. Ubakala people once adhered to the long juju shrine in Arochukwu as well as lesser deities like the Njoku Ji. The Ekpesecret society was quite prominent during those times. A masquerade festival called "Abu Nkwu" took place on occasional basis. Ubakala believed in reincarnation and ancestor honor as part of their worldview. Today, Ubakala people are predominantly Protestant Christians. Denominations like Anglicanism, Presbyterianism, Adventist Movements, Qua Iboe Churches, Assemblies of God Churches amongst others are conspicuous. Catholicism has some degree of foothold in Ubakala as well.
Notable Indigenes
Some prominent persons of Ubakala are Nnamdi Ezeigbo, Late Sir Ojimadu Cyprian Nwaeze,Sir Jeremiah Chukwuma Nwabugwu, Sir Williams Ebere Nwaeze, Chief Christian Nwakerendu Onyebuchi, Late W.O II Silas Ikondu Nwachukwu, Emeka Nwankpa, Chief Tony Ukasanya, HRM Eze Maj. Marcus A. Nkuku,Prince Maduka Nkuku,Prince Oliver Nkuku, Chief Ugochukwu Ajuzie, Late Nwaubani Geoffrey Chigbu, Pastor Chika R.Christian Onyebuchi, Col. B.I. Ihesiaba, Chief Richard Onyekwere, Barr. Chris Ezem,Engr Obi Nzeadibe, Elder Eric Ndumele, Chief Chris Ekwomadu, Dr Amarachukwu Okezie among others.
Social Structure
Ubakala people are generally modest, religious, and industrious. Their dance-plays are well documented in contemporary anthropology and the Oxford's International Encyclopedia of Dance. Ubakala is a patrilineal, egalitarian and achievement oriented clan. Once led by constitutional monarchs who bore the now defunct 'Uba of Ubakala' title, Ubakala has evolved into conglomerates of twelve viable villages, each one presided over by an instituted Eze with his council of elders/chiefs. The 12 villages of Ubakala which now have the status of Autonomous Communities are:
