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 power in the hands of a small, privileged ruling class, the aristocrats.
Across Europe, the aristocracy exercised immense economic, political, and social influence. In Western Christian co ...
title amongst the tribe, meaning either
elder in the first instance or
chief 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, it 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 government of Nigeria, and the Obi is seen as a representative of the people of Onitsha to the ...
** , the Obi of
Onitsha
Onitsha ( or simply ''Ọ̀nị̀chà'') is a city on the eastern bank of the Niger River, in Anambra State, Nigeria. Onitsha along with various cities and towns in southern Anambra State, northern Imo State and neighboring Delta State on the we ...
is Igwe
Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe
Igwe 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 ...
.
* Obi of Neni
** As of 2004, the Obi of Neni is Eze Ngobidy Nwora Emannuel Sandi.
* Obi of Aboh
** As of 2024, the Obi of
Aboh
Aboh or Abo,"Ibo, a district of British West Africa..." () is a city in Delta State of Nigeria
Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf ...
is Dr. Greg Nnamdi Oputa.
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 comm ...
References
Igbo royal titles
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