At Echidime, if you wanna know why Edo is the Heart Beat of the Nation, go and read about our History, the Bini Kingdom. There is more to Edo State than what you know. So if you don't know, you better ask somebody or go do your research.

Mohadana i am very impressed, you know so much about Edo, Delta and Rivers. Please Educate them.

mohadana:

don,t mind them,the East is a jungle,that is why no other tribes goes there.

what do you mean the east is a jungle

;d ;d ;d

ETHNIC GROUPS
The ethnic groups in Edo State are Edo, Esan, Owan, and Etsako

@ebeledi
Why don't you join Igbo kwenu instead of bothering us here?

im not bothering just browsing around and i just wanted to know why "the east is the jungle"
which she hasnt answered my question

@Mohadana: For your information,East is not where Lazy people live,but hard people.East is not where people depend on the Government to feed them, like your area.Am not Tribalistic like you are if not I could have giving you a bath this morning.

Stay there and waiting for the day when a Nigerian president will come and give you a bag of rice and Sugar. Yeye man

@kojeiwa: OK i have heard you I will try to find out Ok. Thanks.But I hope your not Tribalistic like your brother Mohadana?

@Echidime,I am an ijaw by the way.if the east is full of hardworking people,why is that many of them are into to 419 and drug dealers.why is that the Ibo's have run to the north,south-south and southwest to succeed.there is no lives in the east?the east is a jungle.

@Mohadana: Your question is same as asking, why the Americas,british,chinise,all the western World whos country are flowing with milk and honey,what they are doing in other countries.
Ok I remember your living in a Jungle Area that why you keep kidnapping the oil workers in the Niger Delta,and beg the federal Government to darsh you a token money.What a Shame?Same Strangers who are right there on your land working and drilling Oil,are the same whos lands are flowing with milk and honey;ask them what there are doing there in your backyard.Only then will i tell you what Igbo's are doing all over the world.

419 and drug dealings is not for women in a mans skin like you.Don't worry, your yet to experience darfu in your land.If your man enough Take up your weapons and fight the Governamtn not hard working strangers who are doing what you can't do.

BEGGER

yawn,take your ass to the jungle thread.animal kwenu.

@Mohadana: Why are you signing off?are you afraid? come back if your a man.Lets fight it out today,why are you running,see oooooo War has not even started and you are already on the RUN, you don pick RACE like Ben johnson.

Next time when Igbo's talk,you listen. I repeat take up your arms and fight the federal Government and not kidnapping oil workers,your calling yourself IJAW man.While begging,incase your hungry after running,ask any igbo guy for food they will happily feed you.

the losers that don,t know how their state look like.igbos the mexicans of nigeria.

both of you need to leave.please make this place peaceful like it was.stay on topic or leave us alone.
@ topic


The premier web site of Edo speaking people.
Nation of people who are mostly located in the Midwestern part of Nigeria, Western  Africa.


The Edo Tribe
By

Professor Ademola Iyi-Eweka

Email: aiyiewek@facstaff.wisc.edu



EDO, is what you can describe as the "generic name given to a group of people who have a common ancestor and have a common language, with some different variants, depending on the distance between the group and the " tap root, " resident in and around the present day Benin City. In short, the land, the political state, the people, tribe, language and the principal city -Benin City is called EDO. At a point in the history of these people, another name called BENIN came into use. These Edo-speaking people are divided into the following clans today:

a) " BINI " derived from the word Benin for people living in and around Benin City, in Edo State. People living in and around Benin City, are gradually accepting the word BINI, as descriptive of their clan. Otherwise, they prefer to be simply called EDO.

b) ESAN/Ishan-for the immediate neighbor to the north are people living in around Irrua, Orhodua, Uromi, Ubiaja, Ewu, Ewatto, Igueben and the almighty Evbohimwin (Ewohimi))" the city by the big river " or " the city of Ikhimwin trees " etc.

c) The Afemais known as IVBIOSAKON by those living in and around Benin City to the north of Ishan/Esan clan.

d) Akoko-Edos based in Igarra, Ibillo and its environs to the north of Afemais.

e) The Owans-ORAS occupying Eme, Sabogida-Ora, Afuze, etc. Uhobe (SOBE) and Ifon in Ondo State.

f) Ekas-to East of Benin. A sizeable chunk of the Edo speaking people flow across River Niger and ending at ONITSHA.

g) Isoko, Urhobo, Itsekiris and about 70% percent of western Izon (Ijaws) in Ndegeni and its environs

h) A sizeable chunk of the Edos is found in River States and Balyesa States e.g. Ogba land and Diobu, Port Harcourt.

i) A sizeable chunk has been " Yorubanised in Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos and Ogun States. The descendants of Edo soldiers stationed in Akure are referred to today as ADO-AKURE (Edo ne 択ue) There are many Edos in Ekiti land, Idoani, Idanre etc going through life in Nigeria with Yoruba names. Acculturation has taken place. You are either a Yoruba man or you go nowhere.

j) The ILAJE community at OKITIPUPA and its environs.

k) The Edos who conquered and settled far way land like Dahomey, Togo and Ghana.

The Edo language is part of the Kwa-Niger group of languages according to Linguist. These people have lived were they are now for " Thousands of years." The monarchy centered in Benin City is about 6000 years old, including pre-ogiso and Ogiso era of history. All the clans had various functions, which they perform at the palace. For example, the Ishans/Esans were principally the medicine men and warriors of the ancient empire. They were the medical practitioners. The chieftancy groups responsible for the Oba's well being are dominated by Ishan/Esan descendants. The Ivbiosakon (Afemais) were the dental surgeon of the palace. That is the origin of the name IVBIOSAKON. Oba Esigie assigned that function to them in the c1500's.

The Owan/Ora people were the propitiators of the physical earth for the Oba of Benin. It was their responsibility to prevent things like earthquake, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes and anything associated with geological disturbance to occur in Benin. In short, they were the geologists and weathermen of their day, forecasting and preventing physical calamities. Those we call BINIS today, were the traditional bureaucratic administrators and military generals. The Izons (Ijaws) were the " OZIGUE" -SAILORS The Ekas were farmers. They were in charge of the royal farms.

The Ibos across the Niger call the Edos, IDU, the name of the progenitor of Edo race, the Yorubas call us ADO, which is a corruption of the word EDO. However, the Itsekiris, another sub group in the Edo clans call us UBINI. Tradition asserts that it is derived from ILE-IBINU, which is descriptive of the exasperation and frustration encountered in Benin City, by Prince Oranmiyan of ILE-IFE. A further research may prove that, it was the Itsekiris who gave that name, to the people living in and around Benin City. The Itsekiris told the white man of the powerful overlord living in Igodomigodo. It was the Itsekiris who told the Whiteman that the name of the tribe of this powerful king was UBINI- a term which Whiteman corruptly wrote down as Benin. For example, the name of the eldest daughter of Oba Osewende, the mother of the OSULAS and the AIWERIOGHENES is today known as AGHAYUBINI. A closer examination of that name would reveal that the name is an Itsekhiri phrase-" The Ubini Lady or woman " i.e. the woman from Benin. Aghayubini was a very wealthy trader among the Itsekiris, from whence she got the money she used, is getting the throne for her brother, who became Oba ADOLO. An Itsekhiri descriptive phrase has simply over powered her original Edo name, to the extent that nobody knows anything about it now.

The ancient Edo/Benin Empire covered the whole of Bendel, parts of Bayelsa State and I repeat Balyesa State. The second son of the Enogie of Brass, popularly known as IYASE NE OHENMWEN became the Iyase of Benin under Oba Osewende. Iyase Ohenmwen is the ancestor of the OTOKITIS, THE OKEAYA-INNEH AND THE AIWERIOGHENES of Benin today. It also covers the IGBO-speaking areas of Delta State stretching to Onitsha. People hardly know that the actual title of the Obi of Onitsha is AIGBOGHIDI. The historical Chief Agho Obaseki of Oba Ovoranmwen era and later the Iyase of Benin under Oba Eweka II, was a descendant of the second son of Enogie of NSUKWA now in Delta State. It extended to the whole of Ondo State, parts of Ekiti and Ogun State and the whole of Lagos State including BADAGRY. It stretched to southern Dahomey (Republic of Benin) and on to the coast of Togo and Ghana.

THE OWANS /ORAS:

Oba Ozolua is traditionally regarded as the ancestor of the Owans/Ora. He was known as Prince Okpame before he became known as Oba Ozolua. He had sought refuge in Uwokha in Ivbiosakon areas in c1473. From Uwokha, Oba Ozolua founded Ora and other villages. Oba Ozolua was a warlord. He beat the people of Uzea near Uromi to a pulp when there was a revolt. He extended his carnage to Uromi when the Enogie was reported to have been rude to his messengers. He went up through Akoko land, wandering into Nupe lands where he acquired a lot of sophisticated weaponry then. He attacked the Igallas and Igbirras in the present Kogi and Kwarra states. After spending the greater part of his life in ORA, he left behind his son UGUAN and returned to Benin City.

But before he left, he proclaimed everybody free men and free women, entitled to enjoy the privileges of Edo princes and Princesses, for all the services they had rendered in his military campaigns. That is why the Oras call themselves today, the CHILDREN OF OZOLUA. Besides being in charge of propitiating the physical earth, they are responsible for ritually exorcising any harm that might come upon the EDO NATION-the land due to

violation of sexual or other taboos. Their GUILD, quartered at EVBORHAN quarter in OGBELAKA in Benin City by Oba Esigie, demands steep fines from the culprits for their services.

A few years ago, the Oba of Benin created an Ogie-Duke-traditional rulership for the Oras because of popular demand.

Ademola Iyi Eweka.

@Which state are you talking about? Is you state better than any state in the East? see this he goat ooooo. If your state looks nice,why kidnapping oil workers?

;d ;d ;d.

Mohadana,answer me,are you tired? tell me why your kidnapping oil workers since your state is more beautiful than any other state in trhe East? Why are you beggin the entire world to come to your rescue by showing on CNN how you kidnap people in the Niger Delta,I never know that you people have something in common with Terrorist groups around the world.

For your information,terrorism is for Frustrated people.not for Gentle men. after appearing on CNN with your kidnapping atitude has your problem solved? has Gorge Bush come to assist you? How CHILDISH you are,take up your ARMS and declear your independence,only then will people assist you.

Mohadana: since your tired or have run away, am going to HILTON HOTEL here in yaoudé Cameroun, to have a good time with my baby girl,your invited if you can afford your transport fair. Come lets go and Chop money and put some spices into your life.life is sweet.

419 or Drug money, come and have a taste of it today.So that your Consciousness will change.

this is not the place for this. .please leave.ibo kwenu has  a thread.you see how this people destroying this thread.

@edobabe:Thanks for your post is so educative,not what Mohadana is doing.

Am not the one destroying the tread is your brother.Thanks all the same.

one nigeria

igbo edo and ijaw unite

@ebeledi: YESOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

how is life in cameroon

Now for all of you who do not know, Edo people happen to be the most peaceful people known to have ever exist and still do if I might add in these parts. Aggressionn has never been our delight and we are a proud people.

But that no mean make una diss us or come desecrate this space for us as we are capable of the most debilitatingly devastating attacks when compelled to.

We don't take shit and if you're our friend and wanna be on this thread, y'all better keep it real. This no be Niger delta militancy nor is it Aguleri and Umuleri communal strife(no offence meant).

Y'all are wellcome here, but we wanna communicate not irritate ourselves, no hate here, just one love and peace, Edo style.

Edo babe na the babe and she is royalty according to the rich name "Iyi Eweka" she bears, so you puny people better recognise cos you're in the space where sovereignty and dignity flows in our blood naturally.

One fact for you all to ponder about: Do you know that in over 400 years of booming slave trade in the western coast of Africa, not one Edo born was sold into slavery?

if you think they are the most peaceful people, that is your opinion
most people associate the Calabar people as the most peaceful and freindliest people

i doubt it seriously that not one Edo was born into slavery check your facts, from the history of edo i have read slaves were captured just like the rest of nigeria and africa

@ebeledi: Cameroun is cool. Whats up?


@ ajadrage: As a true Nigerian, I love every etnic group in Naija, but I HATE IT when some Animals criticise or belittle orther etnic gropus, I JUST can't take.

About Slave trade,Has yara dua promise an award for those whos people were not sold out during slave trade?

Echidime, no Yar Adua nor anybody at that has promised any award, I am only making a statement of fact.

And ebeledi, I am sure of my facts, you seem not to be sure about your's. Why don't you do some little research on that and make yourself doubly sure.

The Calabars are also a very peaceful people, but I will rate Edo as just a notch above them on the "peaceful people scale"

Echidime, no Yar Adua nor anybody at that has promised any award, I am only making a statement of fact.

And ebeledi, I am sure of my facts, you seem not to be sure about your's. Why don't you do some little research on that and make yourself doubly sure.

The Calabars are also a very peaceful people, but I will rate Edo as just a notch above them on the "peaceful people scale"

i have done research and it is amazing that 20 percent of slaves that came to the americas were sold in the Blight of Benin

but of course everything is biased, one will only support their own ethnicity as the nicest people, including Yorubra, Igbo, etc.

Yeah, right. U know that the Bight of Benin is located within the Gulf of Guinea and has a neighbour in the Bight of Bonny which used to be called Bight of Biafra.

If u are an explorer and coming to trade in these parts, you will see from the map that the places that ur ship berths is in either of these two Bights. This is also true for other areas along the West African coast. The fact that this area is named after Benin does not presuppose the fact that it's trade was in benin or that Binis were the commodity of trade.

It is logical that for the slave traders to carry out their trade, they had to berth and the logical transit point due to it's geographic location and accessibility was the Bight of Benin.

I still maintain that no Edo born was sold into slavery and history proves me correct. Even documents and artefacts present in the National Museum in Benin attests to this fact and I offer to give u a grand tour whenever u're in da City. And yes I am proud of my heritage, but dat no mean say I should call a spade a shovel.

Benin city is sometime called the city of bloods because we fought the British and our colony severely when they came to take our people to slavery. Edos are on of the tribes that resist the British. To the extend that Oba Ovboramwen was sent to exile to calabar to make it easier for them. The Edos really fought back. That is one of the reason Nigeria is free today. Therefor the Edos played an integral part of Nigeria independence. That is why we still have much respect for our Obas.

edobabe:
THE OWANS /ORAS:

Oba Ozolua is traditionally regarded as the ancestor of the Owans/Ora. He was known as Prince Okpame before he became known as Oba Ozolua. He had sought refuge in Uwokha in Ivbiosakon areas in c1473. From Uwokha, Oba Ozolua founded Ora and other villages. Oba Ozolua was a warlord. He beat the people of Uzea near Uromi to a pulp when there was a revolt. He extended his carnage to Uromi when the Enogie was reported to have been rude to his messengers. He went up through Akoko land, wandering into Nupe lands where he acquired a lot of sophisticated weaponry then. He attacked the Igallas and Igbirras in the present Kogi and Kwarra states. After spending the greater part of his life in ORA, he left behind his son UGUAN and returned to Benin City.

But before he left, he proclaimed everybody free men and free women, entitled to enjoy the privileges of Edo princes and Princesses, for all the services they had rendered in his military campaigns. That is why the Oras call themselves today, the CHILDREN OF OZOLUA. Besides being in charge of propitiating the physical earth, they are responsible for ritually exorcising any harm that might come upon the EDO NATION-the land due to

violation of sexual or other taboos. Their GUILD, quartered at EVBORHAN quarter in OGBELAKA in Benin City by Oba Esigie, demands steep fines from the culprits for their services.

A few years ago, the Oba of Benin created an Ogie-Duke-traditional rulership for the Oras because of popular demand.

Need some quick info. edobabe.

Is it true that whenever an Oba is to be crowned in Benin, he has to stop over in the Ora district, to carry out some parts of the coronation programme? Is it also true that the Ora are direct descendants of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi?

And is it true that among all the subjects of the Oba of Benin, the Ora people are exempted from postrating, or kneeling or bowing before the Oba, because they believe that 'they & the Oba are one'?

Facts, anyone?