Occupation and Culture

OCCUPATION
The Rumuchorlu people like other parts of Rumuokwurshi as a whole were predominantly farmers, hunters, fishermen, palm wine tappers, artisans and traders. Because they had large expanse of land, they produced and traded in such crops as yams, cassava (akpakpuru or odogoro), cocoyam (ede), bananas, plantain, pineapples, vegetables like okwuru, ugwu, okwukwowiri, fluted pumpkins, melons, groundnuts, okpotoro,water leaves, okazi, beans, palm karnel, palm oil, for which in the early twentieth century the Eastern Nigeria Development Co-operation built giant oil mill to process palm oil and kernel. Most of those who manned the pioneer Oil Mill were from Rumuchorlu e.g Late Chief Abel Worgu, Late Chief N.C.O. Nlerum, Eze Chorlu II. They also engaged in palm wine tapping because of the abundance of palm wine trees, which abound around the Mini Chida, Mini I Chenwene and Mini Mbalaja Mashlands. Pisava ropes were also produced from the palm trees. Pisava ropes found ready use in rope making (odugoro) and yam staking. From the palms too came useful products like thatches for roofing materials, fishing-basket known as ekete. The artisans produced from iron materials such tools like hoes (esa) and Knives (ama) for farming and spears for hunting. Iron pots (iterigwe) were also produced by artisans as well as local dane guns. Recently, say from early 1900's because of the whiteman 's influence, the Rumuchorlu people picked up other communities around him such trades as tailoring, white- collar jobs, construction business in its wider range etc.

They have also gone into lucrative areas like Hotel management e.g Sonny Ralph Hotel, Hetonies Hotels etc.

Recently, because of its favourable location on the way to the East-west, from Lagos, Benin, Bayelsa to Uyo, Calabar etc.and into the lbo heartland to Owerri, Umuahia, Enugu, Onitsha, etc Rumuchorlu now hosts big companies like MTN Nigeria Communications, 1st Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, UBA Bank Plc, Evo Community, Shell Petroleum Development Corperation of Nigeria, Soki TECH LTD .and other important companies. Educational Institutions like UNIBECK COLLEGE of Science and Technology, Covenant Child Nursery /Primary School/ Secondary Schools. SOVINA Nursery/Primary Schools, Hotels like Sonny Ralph Hotels , Oil field Hotels etc. Markets like the famous Oil Mill Wednesday Market, Rumuchorlu Daily Market, Eze Omenka Nigeria Foods Depot. Etc.

Culture
Language: The Rumuchorlu people are Ikwerre people by nationality. And they speak Ikwerre Language .before the advent of colonialism, we were already relating with Ibos and we speak their language fluently.
At the advent of colonialism, we were exposed to English language and special English called Pidgin language.

At the advent of colonialism, we were exposed to English language and special English called Pidgin language.

Dancing:
(1) We engage in Eregbu dance. Eregbu dance is a dance where two players or drummers sit opposite each other and play the selected styles that give different tones while the players, mainly male, play the instrument, the women and some men dance in circle to the admiration of the spectators. It is a beautiful dance and highly cherished by the Rumuchorlu people of Ikwerre Ehtnic nationality.

(ii) Eri-Ndudu: this dance is mainly played by women .Different drumming, instruments used, such as: Ndudu ;Ngele,Osha, kwirikwe, etc. At times men assist the women in drumming, while these instruments are being played, the other women dance in circles or as they may think fit. Spectators watch with utmost joy, happiness and admiration.

(iii) Eri-Oboh: Eri –Oboh is another dance in Ikwerre land. It is a dance whereby the chief drummer directs the play. He plays with local made instruments. The main Oboh is made with thick Calabash with strong strings. There are other instruments used in the dance. While the play is on, some dancers dance lkwere dance according to the rhythm of the instrument and song. The dancers could be male or female. While the music is going on, spectators gather and watch with joy. Some notable artists are: majority cultural dance group, Jimmi Couter cultural dance group etc.

Wrestling:
festival wrestling is an integral cultural of our people. In our wrestling competition, different types of drumming the instruments are used such as: Ikwirikwu, Ekwenkalu, Ngele, Mbamba of different types, shapes and sizes, etc. Two competing camps will gather opposite one another with each camp having somebody who motivates their camp to wrestle well. The motivator holds some grasses, which he uses to whip the wrestlers. He whips their hands and buttocks and that is the activator to start wrestling. Whoever throws the other wins. If they (wrestlers) were unable to throw each other, we say they have equalized or ogba-oga. The side of the wrestlers that throws his opponent will lift him up with utter jubilation. They will dance round the playground where the wrestling takes place. Women will dance and dance. These kinds of activities arouse the wrestlers.

The wrestling takes place mainly among age-grades. Different age grade will wrestle beginning from the younger ones.