Isuama area was the main region from which Igbo slaves were obtained in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The Bight of Bịafra then sold the highest number of slaves as Igbo Slaves were on high demand. 

The Isuama region was the target of slave raids by the allied military Igbo Bloc of Aro-Abam-Edda-Abiriba.

The Isuama were so notable that language spoken by returned slaves in Liberia and Sierra Leone was called Isuama.

Each year for over a century and a half, thousands of Isuama people were shipped abroad. Many didn't make it to the West Indies. Some were thrown into the sea daily in their thousands when the ship was overloaded. Some perished out of terrible conditions aboard the ships. 

Many were slain in the West Indies too. The probability of any American or Carribean

 being of Igbo descent, was very high as the region provided the bulk of enslaved people exported through the Bonny and Nembe ports.

Enslaved people of Isuama origin were also a major part of the Igbo landing heroic mass su¡c¡de of the Igbo enslaved.

 Isu people also swelled the scanty populated areas of the Niger-Delta, boosting their populations. Many become head of houses like Jaja of Opobo.

Population pressure on land had also forced the Isu to emigrate southernwards to other places where there was little pressure on land. They worked as smiths and labourers on farmlands.

In the Southern Igbo areas privilege with massive land area, the Isuama were held with contempt because they were regarded as people from insufficient unfertile lands.

Also, the Southern Igbo areas of Orrata, Echie, Egbema, Asa, Ohaji, Ikwerre, Ogba, etc, who had not been raided for slaves, looked at the Isuama with contempt for being sources of slaves during the slave trade, and having strange cultural practices, such as the Osu caste system, which wasn't very common to the Southern Igbo.

The name Isu or Isoma was called with much derogation by the some Southern Igbo Groups.

The Isuama was also perceived by the Southern Igbo groups as being "cunning" and "domineering", hence, some Southern Igbo groups host¡le towards them.

However, the ingenuity, hard-work and resilience of the Isuama People were hardly appreciated.

They were successful farmers, long distance traders, smiths, hunters and Craftsmen and made great leaders, such as the Igbo pride "Ọkwara Mbanasọ" of Opubo-ama, from Umuduruoha, AmaIgbo in Isuama area.

Also, the European did not have contact the Isuama Igbo heartland early. So, some Southern Igbo clans with earlier European contact viewed the Isu as "bush" people.

The Isu People were noted with the expression "Isu ama enyi".

However, even after all these losses in Population, at the time of British Colonial Anthropological studies in Isuama area, it was still among the top Igbo areas with the densest Population.

The Isuama people have continued to contribute greatly to the Development and prestige of the Igbo People. They quickly grabbed westernization and are one of the most educated sets of Igbo People.

They are successful entrepreneurs, craftsmen and leaders and many Excel in other professional engagements.

Contempt for the Isu People may still be held by some older Population in the Southern Igbo areas, even as Igbo Nationalism, unionism and ethnic consciousness, have blurred intraethnic stereotyping to great extents.

It is therefore pertinent for all Igbos to note these amazing qualities and facts about the Isuama people and why they should be respected:

The Isuama are resilient, determined, hardworking and clever. 

The Isu area have suffered trauma of the slave trade being the major Igbo area where slaves were derived from.

Also, the Isu are one of the oldest and autochthonous progenitor groups of the Igbo nation, and being the largest, there is a possibility many Igbo groups must have had migrations from the Isu area or may have had Isu elements mixed with their progening group, at a point in remote times.

So when you point a finger at a person, you may be pointing back four fingers at yourself without knowing.

Also, the souls of the millions of Isuama people who perished deep in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, should be honored. 

Many black Americans and Carribeans, of Igbo descent who are making the Igbo nation proud, are of the Isu stock of Igboland.

Whenever you see the Isuama man, celebrate him!. Remember, every man has his flaw. Every group has theirs too. While you point a finger at someone, another person points at you! And another person points at the one pointing at you.

Igbo bu Igbo.

Photo: Ọkwara Mbanasọ,Jaja, King of Opubo-ama. One of the greatest Isuama men who ever lived and wouldn't be forgotten in History.

This Isuama man was an epitome of resilience, determination, cleverness, leadership and entrepreneurial sills and bravery, are typical qualities of the Igbo which the Igbo Should look out for...

© Akachukwu Vitalis