Sculptural representation of the burial rites of a deceased,Okehi, Echie, circa 1925. as Photographed by British Anthropologist Percy Amaury Tabolt.

Sculptural representation of the burial rites of a deceased,
Okehi, Echie, circa 1925. as Photographed by British Anthropologist Percy Amaury Tabolt.

Sculptural representation of the burial rites of a deceased,
Okehi, Echie, circa 1925. as Photographed by British Anthropologist Percy Amaury Tabolt.

The famous Igbo “Amadịọha” has roots in the Echie tribe, from where it spread to other Southern Igbo tribes..

The Echie people, according to the anthropologists, are culturally related to the Oratta clusters, both groups are notable for the Mbari culture and having recurring Community names.

However, the Echie were administratively cut off from their Oratta kins after they were ceded to the defunct Rivers Province, from the Owerri Province where they had earlier been.

Their neighboring sister tribes of Ngwa and Asa were also put in a different Administrative unit, while they remained in the Rivers Province with the Ikwerre, Ọgba and Ekpeye.

Of three groups that the bloc named “Oratta-Ikwerre” by anthropologist, G.I Jones had comprised, only the Oratta clusters remained in the Owerri Province, part of which is now today’s Imo State.

Okehi is today the administrative headquarters of present day Etche LGA in what has become Rivers State.