Aro Confederacy

Aro Confederacy
Omu Aro
1640–1902
Flag of Aro Confederacy
Flag
CapitalArochukwu
Common languages
GovernmentConstitutional monarchy
Historical eraEarly modern
• Established
1640
• Disestablished
1902
Currency
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Aro people
Colonial Nigeria
Today part ofNigeria
Cameroon
Equatorial Guinea
Gabon

The Aro Confederacy (1640–1902) was a political union orchestrated by the Aro people, an Igbo subgroup, centered in Arochukwu in present-day southeastern Nigeria. The Aro Confederacy kingdom was founded after the beginning of the Aro-Ibibio Wars. Their influence and presence was all over Eastern Nigeria, lower Middle Belt, and parts of present-day Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Arochukwu Kingdom was an economic, political, and an oracular center as it was home of the Ibini Ukpabi oracle, High Priests, the Aro King Eze Aro, and central council (Okpankpo). The Aro Confederacy was a powerful and influential political and economic alliance of various Igbo-speaking communities in southeastern Nigeria.[citation needed] It emerged during the 17th century and played a significant role in the region until the late 19th century.[1]

  1. ^ Nwauwa, Apollos O. (1995). "The Evolution of the Aro Confederacy in Southeastern Nigeria, 1690-1720. A Theoretical Synthesis of State Formation Process in Africa". Anthropos. 90 (4/6): 353–364 – via UCL Library.