of Idomaland remained largely unknown to the West until the 1920s, leaving much of the colorful traditional culture of the Idoma intact. The population of the Idoma is estimated to be about 3.5 million.

Origin
Traditional History
The history of the Idoma people precedes the history of Benue state (created 1976) and the history of the Republic of Nigeria (created 1960). Oral tradition is the primary method of which history has been passed in Idomaland and is considered a central cultural institution. From a young age Idoma children usually learn from their elders stories of old and are brought up around extended families, which make multiple historical resources available. When prompted Idomas generally will proudly tell you where they are from, and it’s not uncommon for Idoma to be able to recite at least four generations of their progenitors. Historically, being unable to answer the emblematic question “Who is your father?” disqualified one from important roles and titles in Idomaland. Quite naturally, a number of villages trace origins to single ancestors and further, several Idoma groups trace their heritage to one common ancestor, considered the “father” of the different groups. According to traditional history, Iduh, the father of the Idoma had several children who each established different areas. Hence the expression: “Iduh the father of Idoma.” “Iduh the father of Idoma” Iduh who begot all the Idoma He also begot the following children: Ananawoogeno who begot the children of Igwumale; Olinaogwu who begot the people of Ugboju; Idum who begot the people of Adoka; Agabi who begot the people of Otukpo; Eje who begot the people of Oglewu; Ebeibi who begot the people of Umogidi in Adoka, and Ode who begot the people of Yala ” While there may be some truth to the above, the Idoma cannot be said to have a unitary origin. Many Idoma groups and village subsets have their own histories complete with stories about how their people arrived at their current location. As one can imagine, the ever-changing of people through time makes it difficult to study Idoma history.

Scholarly History
Scholars have combined oral history with genealogical data and analysis of kinship totems to trace the roots of the Idoma people as a whole. One notable Idoma scholar E.O. Erim cites genealogical data, collected from most modern groups in Idoma suggesting that they derive from several ethnic groups, each with different historical origin. Furthermore, the available genealogies indicate the existence of diverse ethnic groups who descended from ancestors other than Idu. In several of these cases, the claim of common descent is backed by both extensive genealogical connections and possession of common kinship totems. Erim contends that while Idu was certainly a migration leader—he was not the “father” of the Idoma in the sense implied in the above traditions. These two considerations make it difficult to simply accept the view that every group in Idomaland is descended from Idu. Many Idoma kindred claim an ancestral homeland called Apa, north-east of present day Idomaland due to pressures of Northern invaders as recently as 300 years ago. The historical Apa was part of the ancient Kwararafa Kingdom (Okolofa Kingdom), a confederacy of several peoples. Informants in other ethnic groups have corroborated existence of this kingdom, chiefly the Jukun who also believe they once ruled a confederacy called Kwararafa. In the Hausa book Kano Chronicle it is mentioned that Zaria, under Queen Amina conquered all towns as far as Kwarafara in the 15th century. At present, there is a Local Government Area in Benue State called Apa and is said to be the home of those who made the first migration from the historical kingdom. For many Idoma nationalists today, the name Apa elicits sentiments of a past glory, and some in the political sphere have gone as far as suggesting it should become the name of a new Idoma state. Other scholars point to historical and linguistic evidence that suggests that Idoma have ties with the Igala people to the west, concluding that the two nations came from a common ancestor. Among this group, there are those who believe both ethnic groups fled the same kingdom at some point in history. It is interesting to note that many traditional Idoma spiritual chants and “secret” tongues spoken during traditional ceremonies are actually Igala dialects and there are some Idoma themselves who assert their Igala ancestry. There are yet other Idoma groups notably in the southern regions, which claim their ancestors arrived at their present location from Northern fringes of Igboland as a result of land disputes. Scholars believe these people had most likely fled Apa too, settled and resettled.

As suggested, a number of factors make it difficult to study Idoma historical origins of the Idoma people as a whole. In any event, it could be said that despite their heterogeneous origins, trading, marriage, language and other interactions among the Idoma have cultivated traditions and shaped a rich cultural identity distinctly their own.

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The Idoma Race has produced so many people that have contributed immensely to put Nigeria on the World Map, Amongst Them Are : Bogos Ikwe, 2face Idibia, Terry-G, Sen. David Mark, Gen. Lawrence Onoja and Lots of others I cannot remembeR right now(make una help me).

If you are proud to be associated with the MOST DOWN-TO-EARTH Tribe in Nigeria, then don't just sit there, say something joor!

Anya laa

Nice job Doctor! Proudly Idoma. The Idomas,I would like to add,are the most tolerating of all ethnic group in present day Nigeria,and one of the most diverse in dialect(tongue) also. In a local govt,like Ogbadibo for instance,each of the three wards(Otukpa,Orokam,Owukpa) speak slightly differently from one another,and this is obtainable all across Idomaland,albeit,this diversity has been a source of strength and unity over the years,rather than division. Idomas also are know to distinguish themselves academically and professionally when they dare(mostly). Proudly an Idoma son

Oyinem, Anya Luo Wune Wune..
Its Nice to See You Come Out and add to the Little I have Said..
We are so tolerant of each other that even the Yorubas would be Envious...Its in an Idoma Family you would see Muslims, Christians and Animists all Bearing the Same Surname and Co-habiting Peacefully..

Our Hospitality is Legendary
The Language Simple..It revolves around One Word- "Anyaa"
I once told a Friend that if he finds himself lost in any part of Idomaland, all he needs to say is "Anya", and we'll take it from there!

The Igbos are our immediate Neighbours to the South & we've enjoyed a very cordial relationship with them..
I was told that Idomaland did not partake in the Pogroms of 1966, and that once the Weary Igbos made it to Otukpo Train station, they could heave a sigh!

We've enjoyed excellent relationships with the Tivs, Egede and Igalas!

We uphold virtue beyond everything
The Idoma man would borrow to see his neighbour satisfied-(tho this is often abused by other tribes)

I can go on and on to extoll the virtues of my tribe!

Proudly Red & Black oh

Proudly Idoma diva

Anya choor!!!

Olinaogwu begot the people of Ugboju

I served in Ogoli Ugboju and I enjoyed it to the fullest....their hospitality made up for all that we lacked....I really miss all my idoma friends and if I should ever get the opportunity to go back there, I won't hesitate.... I remember when I went back to Ogoli-Ugboju after my 2-weeks pass; I arrived there at about 10pm...it was pitch-black everywhere(phcn things) and it was also raining (I had one chinese torch though)...I didn't know anywhere, I knew no one except a few corpers and I couldn't locate the corpers lodge...I kept walking about from house to house asking questions about corpers lodge (most people didn't know it's location)....I even mistakenly stumbled into farms(I fell 3 times that night;...on MUD).... More than one hour later, I stumbled into another house(ene bobo's house)...... I was actually shocked with the way Ene bobo welcomed me..like she knew me already(that was actually our first time of meeting)....she offered me a seat, took my bag and offered me a spare room to spend the night in..... TO BE CONTINUED!

@ Onyenna, iwu onye aruruala! Lolzz, u must finish dis story o!

Idoma Likita: @ Onyenna, iwu onye aruruala! Lolzz, u must finish dis story o!

Pls idoma likita...pressurise him to finish the story...my mum is from Ugboju....
#TeamIdoma#

Ama-one, idoma likita and samabu07....

Idoma Likita: @ Onyenna, iwu onye aruruala! Lolzz, u must finish dis story o!

Apo igbo(egbo)?

Ooch'idoma ko wa agabaidu!

Nwo oiko chi'kobi. Anugba ahola.

A he nya laa dudu! Oyenna, Samabu, Israel! Its Red & Black all the way!

However can we take this thread further by Discussing what we think is the Problem of Idomaland? Thank God we also have Onyenna to give us an Outsiders' Opinion!

Great ... Just seeing this thread for the first . Good to meet you all my brothers .

May i have the honour of registering my humble presence on this thread. I'm a proud Idoma son from Ugboju, albeit with Igala ancestry. Which Batch did you serve with Onyenna. I might know you.

patwilly: May i have the honour of registering my humble presence on this thread. I'm a proud Idoma son from Ugboju, albeit with Igala ancestry. Which Batch did you serve with Onyenna. I might know you.

12B....

Idoma Likita: A he nya laa dudu! Oyenna, Samabu, Israel! Its Red & Black all the way!

However can we take this thread further by Discussing what we think is the Problem of Idomaland? Thank God we also have Onyenna to give us an Outsiders' Opinion!

Idomaland is a very friendly place with wonderful people....but there was something I noticed back then.....I don't really know how to put it but there's this division(Beef) amongst idoma people..... Unity has to be discussed first......