An Obi is the central building in an
Igbo homestead, one used most commonly as a place for the reception of guests. As such, it can also be looked at symbolically as a metaphor for the most important part, or ''heart'', of any given place. In fact, due to this, it is otherwise almost exclusively taken to be an
aristocratic
Aristocracy (, ) is a form of government that places strength in the hands of a small, privileged ruling class, the aristocrats. The term derives from the el, αριστοκρατία (), meaning 'rule of the best'.
At the time of the word' ...
title amongst the tribe, meaning either
elder
An elder is someone with a degree of seniority or authority.
Elder or elders may refer to:
Positions Administrative
* Elder (administrative title), a position of authority
Cultural
* North American Indigenous elder, a person who has and ...
in the first instance or
chief
Chief may refer to:
Title or rank
Military and law enforcement
* Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force
* Chief of police, the head of a police department
* Chief of the bo ...
in the second.
List of Obis who reign as traditional kings
* Obi of Ogwashi-Uku
** , the Obi of
Ogwashi-Uku
Ogwashi Ukwu, sometimes spelt as Ogwashi-Uku, is an Igbo town in Delta State, Nigeria. Located west of the state capital Asaba, and is the headquarters for the Local Government Area, Aniocha South. The population of Ogwashi-Ukwu is about 50, ...
is
Eze Chukwuka Okonjo.
*
Obi of Onitsha
The Obi of Onitsha is the traditional leader of Onitsha, Anambra State, southeast Nigeria. The post of the Obi is recognized by the state and federal governments of Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naij ...
** , the Obi of
Onitsha
Onitsha ( or just ''Ọ̀nị̀chà'') is a city located on the eastern bank of the Niger River, in Anambra State, Nigeria. A metropolitan city, Onitsha is known for its river port and as an economic hub for commerce, industry, and education. I ...
is Igwe
Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe
Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe '' CFR'', '' mni'' (born 14 May 1941) is a traditional ruler and the 21st Obi of Onitsha, in Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. He is chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University since 2015, and was earlier chancellor of Kogi ...
.
* Obi of Neni
** As of 2004, the Obi of Neni is Eze Ngobidy Nwora Emannuel Sandi.
See also
*
Nigerian traditional rulers
Nigerian traditional rulers often derive their titles from the rulers of independent states or communities that existed before the formation of modern Nigeria. Although they do not have formal political power, in many cases they continue to comma ...
References
Igbo royal titles
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