The Western and Riverine Igbo have developed a true monarchial political system, unlike their Eastern counterparts deep in the hinterland. This system consists of military and political power at the top tier, including the King or Obi, and the Iyasere/Iyasara, the most senior chief after the Obi.
The Iyasere usually held the title of war general or military shogun of the town. However, Onowu is not a title but rather a salutation used to hail the Iyasere, meaning “one who swallows the cotton(òwú) seed” as a symbolic representation of bravery and fearlessness. In towns like Onitsha, Asaba, Aboh, Osomari, and Oguta, the Iyasere had a powerful position second only to the Obi, especially in Onitsha, where the Iyase was the most senior chief in the first-class rank of six chiefs (the inner sanctum closest to the Obi known as Ndiichie Ume).
The senior chiefs in Onitsha and their salutations are IYASELE ONUIYI (ONOWU), UKADIUGWU (AJIE), OSHODI (ODU), OZOMA (ONYAH), ONIRA (OGENE), and OSOMA (OWELLE). As for Asaba, the most senior chiefs and their salutations are ASAGBA (AGU), IYASE (ONOWU), ODOGWU (ABI), AKWUE (OMOGWU), IMAGWE (OBOLI), OJIBA (ATAH), ONIHA (OGENE), IZOMA (ONYAH), UWOLO (AGBA), ISAMA (AJIE), and OLODI (AKPE). Moreover, in Oguta, the council of chiefs that ranked next to the Ezeigwe were greeted as follows: EZEIGWE (IGWE), EZEUKWU (IGWE), IYASARA (NNOWU), NDANIKE (NDANIKE), OMODI (OMODI), OSERE (AJIE), EZECHIOHA (OGINI), OGENE (OGENE), and ORIRINZE (DAMANZE).
The proliferation of Onowu as a title in modern-day Anambra State (including Aguata) and even Enugu State is a modern-day borrowing that came with the installation of the warrant chief system.
Initially, Onowu was only used as a salutation to hail the Iyasere, representing their fearlessness and bravery in swallowing the poisonous cotton seed. However, over time, it became diluted and used as a title for chiefs in areas where it had no significance or aura…..Seê _ Morê
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