Imo River
Encyclopedia
The Imo River is located in southeastern Nigeria
and flows 150 miles into the Atlantic Ocean
. Its estuary is around 40km wide, and the river has an annual discharge of 4km3 with 26,000 hectares of wetland
. The Imo's tributary Rivers are the Otamiri
and Oramirukwa
. The Imo was cleared under the British colonial administration of Nigeria
in 1907–1908 and 1911; first to Aba and then to Udo near Umuahia
.
The deity, or Alusi
of the river is the female Imo Mmiri who communities surrounding the river believe to be the owner of the river. A festival for the Alusi is held annually between May and July. The Imo River features an 830 meter bridge at the crossing between Rivers State
and Akwa Ibom.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
and flows 150 miles into the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
. Its estuary is around 40km wide, and the river has an annual discharge of 4km3 with 26,000 hectares of wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
. The Imo's tributary Rivers are the Otamiri
Otamiri River
The Otamiri River is one of the main rivers in Imo State, Nigeria. The river takes its name from Ota Miri, a deity who owns all the waters that are called by his name, and who is often the dominating god of Mbari houses....
and Oramirukwa
Oramiriukwa River
Oramiriukwa River is a stream in Imo State, Nigeria that runs a 14km course to drain into the Otamiri River....
. The Imo was cleared under the British colonial administration of Nigeria
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
in 1907–1908 and 1911; first to Aba and then to Udo near Umuahia
Umuahia
Umuahia is the capital of Abia State in southeastern Nigeria. Umuahia is located along the rail road that lies between Port Harcourt to Umuahia's south and Enugu city to its north. Umuahia has a population of 359,230 according to the 2006 Nigerian census. Umuahia's indigenous ethnic group are the...
.
The deity, or Alusi
Alusi
Alusi, also known as Arusi or Arushi, are deities that are worshiped and served in the religion of the Igbo people. There are a list of many different Alusi and each has its own purpose...
of the river is the female Imo Mmiri who communities surrounding the river believe to be the owner of the river. A festival for the Alusi is held annually between May and July. The Imo River features an 830 meter bridge at the crossing between Rivers State
Rivers State
Rivers State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Port Harcourt. It is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states...
and Akwa Ibom.