Overview:

The ancestral home of Chief Okoroji is located in Arochukwu, Abia State in southeastern Nigeria. The traditional home is a eight bedroom palace made up of three storeys, with a security gate. The edifice is built with mud bricks and locally sourced clay, with the walls decorated with traditional designs and motifs. The home has a royal hall, a king’s bedroom, a sitting room, a kitchen, and a dining room. There are also chambers for the queen, for musicians, and for other staff. The palace also has a swimming pool and a large garden with lots of plants and trees. The home is maintained by the Aro and has been passed down from generation to generation of the royal family. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Nigeria
Prominent Features:

• Chief Okoroji’s house is a prominent landmark that dates back to the early days of Arochukwu in Abia State, Nigeria. • The house was built of clay, stone, and wood in traditional Igbo style and was owned by the Okoroji family, a prominent political family in Arochukwu. • The house has historical significance, as it was the seat of the first independent Aro King in the south-eastern part of Nigeria. • The house is still revered by locals and is often seen as a meeting point for gatherings and socialising. • It features a wide courtyard and several archways, many of which are covered by roof ornaments and traditional patterns. • Inside the house, visitors can admire the ornate fixtures, hand-painted decorations, and detailed mural work. • The Okoroji family often give tours of the historical house today. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Nigeria.

History:

Chief Okoroji's House is a historical landmark in the Arochukwu region of Abia State in Nigeria. The house was built 500 years ago by an Igbo King in honor of the high chief Okoroji – a very powerful ruler of the Aros. The house was once an elaborate compound that included a palace, several family shrines, and a large gathering area for many different events and ceremonies. The house was destroyed in the 19th century during the rise of British colonization in the area. The British forces targeted and destroyed many of the traditional Igbo settlement, which resulted in the destruction of Chief Okoroji’s house. Despite the destruction, the house still stands today and serves as a reminder of the impact and influence that Chief Okoroji had in the Arochukwu region. Chief Okoroji’s House has since been maintained by his family and refurbished over the years. Today, the house is a popular tourist destination as it is one of the few remaining historical structures in Arochukwu that has been preserved. The house is said to be a symbol of the strength and resiliency of the Aros people and is often visited by local and international dignitaries for its rich history and culture. Visit one of the famous monuments of Nigeria with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Chief Okoroji’s House was built in 1856 and has a strongly fortified walls and 17 courtyards when it was first constructed. 2. It was jointly owned by Chief Oborji II and his son Okoroji I and served as the royal house for the Oborji lineage and part of Arochukwu Kingdom. 3. A huge underground stream called Amawo-oji in front of the house and believed to lead into the Kalabari kingdom. 4. The palace has been extensively renovated over the years to add aspects like balconies and more courtyards to it. 5. At the entrance, the owners carved a royal crest of the Oborji Lineage. 6. Tradition has it that the palace is protected by the Amawo-oji river spirit which resides on the large Ironwood tree outside the palace. 7. The palace was believed to have been constructed directly on top of some huge rocks. 8. Chief Okoroji's house is also the home of the ancient Aro-Oromaskini Royal Secret societies operating from within its walls and courtyards. One of the historical monuments of Nigeria, it tells the story of a bygone era