In the rich and complex history of Nnewi, few names evoke as much intrigue, fear, and respect as that of Dim Ohachi. Born Anazodo Nwizu, and famously known by his Ozo title “Dim Ohachi,” he was one of the greatest figures Nnewi ever produced during a period where power and survival often dictated a man’s legacy.
Dim Ohachi rose to prominence as a renowned slave trader, a profession that, during his time, commanded both awe and dread. His wealth, influence, and sheer force of personality were so immense that ordinary people would run past his residence rather than risk incurring his wrath by merely walking by casually. He lived in an era where the rule of might prevailed — where strength, cunning, and reputation decided a man’s fate.
A Man of Vision in the Face of Change
While Dim Ohachi was a formidable figure at home, his extensive travels as a trader exposed him to the growing influence of European colonial powers. He witnessed firsthand how white men responded to villages that resisted their new government, religion, and trade systems — often with devastating consequences.
It was based on this knowledge that Dim Ohachi, with his characteristic foresight, advised the leaders of Nnewi not to resist the British once they entered their land.
He counseled that Nnewi should peacefully surrender and comply with the white men’s demands, thus sparing the town from destruction and paving the way for a relatively smoother colonial transition compared to neighboring regions.
The Fierce Defender of His Honor
Despite his fearsome reputation, Dim Ohachi’s greatest sensitivity was not wealth or status — it was honor, especially concerning his wives.
As was customary among powerful men of his era, he had many wives, but like many polygamous men, he struggled to satisfy all of them emotionally and physically.
Dim Ohachi’s anger, however, was not directed at his wives who strayed, but at the men who dared seduce them. His logic was chillingly simple yet profound:
It wasn’t the act of adultery that enraged him — it was the notion that a rival man could convince his wife that he, Dim Ohachi, the mighty warrior, was unworthy of loyalty or fear.
According to local lore, Dim Ohachi believed that any man who could undermine his image in the eyes of his wife was a mortal threat to his dignity — and he acted decisively.
Those caught sleeping with his wives faced immediate and brutal punishment: they were hanged without mercy. It was a lesson he made sure no man in Nnewi would ever forget.
As he once lamented in the Igbo proverb:
“Iwe m abụghị n’ala nwunye m, kama ihe nwoke gwara ya ka o kwee.”
(“My anger is not that my wife was lured, but what exactly did the man tell her that convinced her to betray me?”)
Respect for Women Behind the Tough Exterior
Ironically, despite his harsh treatment of rivals, Dim Ohachi was known to deeply respect women.
This was best displayed during his isi nni Ozo ceremony — the final and most significant initiation rite into the revered Ozo title society.
On this day, it was tradition for people to hail the new Ozo initiate by calling out his new titles and accomplishments, after which the initiate would reward them with money or gifts. Many lined up to praise Dim Ohachi with lofty titles, but he remained unmoved — until an elderly woman approached and hailed him uniquely:
“Dike ana atụ egwu na ezi, mana nwanyị na-emeri ya n’ụlọ!”
(“The warrior feared in the streets, but conquered by a woman in his own home!”)
Hearing this, Dim Ohachi leapt up in joy, recognizing the rare wisdom and truth in her words. He lavishly rewarded the woman with bags of money — a gesture showing that despite his outward fierceness, he acknowledged the subtle and powerful influence of women in private life.
Legacy
Dim Ohachi remains a legendary figure in Nnewi’s oral history — a man who embodied the contradictions of his era: brutal yet wise, fearsome yet introspective, a slave trader yet a cultural strategist.
His story reminds modern audiences of a complex period when honor, strength, diplomacy, and survival were deeply intertwined in everyday life.
Today, his memory lives on as a symbol of Nnewi’s historic resilience, shrewdness, and the human complexities of its early leaders.
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