Kanu: The Last Aro King’ is a new exciting historical and cultural novel authored by Ernie Onwumere and published by the reputable Ibadan based Kraft Books Limited with a Foreword written by Professor Okoro Ijoma, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and fellow Historical society. Kanu: The novel comes well recommended for every interested reader seeking to broaden their knowledge of culture.
The book is scheduled for public presentation by 10am on Friday 6, September, 2019 at Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, 13/15 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, under the chairmanship of Chief Ben Okoye, Chairman DSV Group.
The presenter is Uche Orji, Managing Director, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority while the reviewer is Prof Ngozi Osarenren, University of Lagos.
The Host Royal Father is His Majesty Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro, CFR, Eze Aro, while the Guest of Honouris Mazi George Ezuma, President General, Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide
Sir Victor Ike Okoronkwo, Group Managing Director, Aiteo Eastern E&P Ltd, is the Chief Host while Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji is the Master of Ceremony.
Kanu: The Last Aro King
The story is a historical fictional representation of an epochal phase in the history of ancient Arochukwu kingdom. Kanu: The Last Aro King tells the tragic story of the British invasion of pre-colonial Arochukwu and the end of Aro confederacy as a regional power.
In ancient times, Ibini Ukpabi deity served as the highest court in Igbo land and its environs. The Aros also thrived as middlemen between the hinterlands and the Europeans whom they traded with. The Aros had control of trade in the entire Igbo land and beyond and this did not sit well with the British imperialists who wanted to explore and exploit other communities in Igbo land. It was this British expansionist desire that instigated the conflict in the story and saw to the end of Arochukwu as the Igbo seat of power.
The resulting Aro-British war was not easy for the White imperialists as the Aros’ legendary wartime bravery and powers were played up in full effect through major characters like Oduagu, Kanno, Akachi and Eze Aro, the king, himself.
However, Kanu: The Last Aro King is not only about the conflict between the Arochukwu and British invaders, the story also portrays the interesting cultural and socio-political lives and practices of the Aro people on aspects such as festivals, marriage, burials and socialization.
With this novel, the author is deeply motivated to bring home vividly to the reader a sneak view of Arochukwu kingdom in history. He also want to expose the younger and future Aro generations to their history by expanding the existing body of knowledge about the Aros.
Indeed, Kanu: The Last Aro King is a novel that will make the readers go back to their history books to read about this peculiar people called Aro who resisted the colonial forces with the aid of their mystic powers. Readers, be they Aro, Igbo, or any other interested consumer of historical story-telling, will be well-enlightened and entertained by this book.