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The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Heartbender: 5:52pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
HISTORY OF IKWERRE PEOPLE - Prof. ERIC AMADI* Majority of the Ikwerre settlements have their roots traceable from the old Benin Empire.” Iwhnurọhna people descended from the ancient Bini Kingdom. The name of the grand ancestor is Akalaka. Their relations in Rivers State are Ekpeye and Ogba people. The reigning Oba of Benin when Akalaka, the ancestor of Ihruọha (later called Iwhnurọhna) fled was Oba Ewuare (Ogwaro). Akalaka, a member of the Benin royal family, fled in the 13th century on allegation of plotting assassination of the Oba. He died in 1462. Iwhnurọhna his third son settled east of the Sombrero River by 1538 AD, as detailed below. Chief N.M.T. Solomon (2004), native of Ikodu Ubie in Ekpeyeland, in his narrative draws heavily from the now authenticated written historical records delivered by various informed sources including “Eketu (Weber) of Ubeta, assumed to have lived for over two hundred (200) years as the oldest man in all Ekpeye, Ogba and Iwhnurọ hna (or Ikwerre), at that time (and) was asked to narrate the history and customs of Ekpeye people” as unfolded in his lifetime. Here is what he said, which has been validated by the accounts of the current generation through responses to our questionnaires and direct interviews thereby increasing our level of confidence on the data: Ekpeye, born in Benin, was the first of the three sons of Akalaka. While in Ndoni, he married a second wife to gain the love and favour of the people. The new wife gave birth to a son, which he named Ogba. Akalaka was still in Ndoni when his first wife, the mother of Ekpeye, gave birth to his third son called Ihruoha (Ikwerre). Similar historical fact by J.N. Olise (1971) averred that: “Akalaka, a member of the Benin royal family, fled with his wife from Benin to Ndoni, a community located close to the River Niger, to save the life of his new born baby (Ekpeye) … While at Ndoni, Akalaka took a second wife. … Akalaka had two sons, Ekpeye – born to him by his Benin wife, and Ogba – born to him by his Ndoni wife. According to F.E. Otuwarikpo (1994): ” After the death of Akalaka in 1462 AD, his two sons, Ekpeye and Ogba had conflict, which compelled Ogba, the younger son, to move northwards where he founded Ohiakwo (Obigwe) and settled with his family. Ekpeye who remained at Ula-Ubie had seven sons – Ubie, Akoh, Upata, Igbuduya, Ekpe, Awala and Asa. The last three sons – Ekpe, Awala and Asa crossed to the other side of Sombreiro River (present day Ikwerreland and settled there since 1538 AD.” He added that: “Ekpe migrated to present day Rumuekpe and spread through Elele (Alimini), Ndele, Rumuji and part of Ibaa. Awala migrated to present day Isiokpo …” Amadi-Nna (1993) also said Akalaka migrated with his half brother called Ochichi from the area of Benin Empire. Ochichi sons were Ele (Omerele, now Elele), Elu (Elumuoha, now Omerelu), Egbe (Egbeda) and Mini (Alimini, Isiokpo). The crucial point here, which is of great importance in tracing the joint origin of the ancestors of the Old Ahoada Division (in the Governor Diete-Spiff administration), is the mention of the number of children that Akalaka had, namely: Ekpeye, Ogba and Ihru ọ ha (Ikwerre). It is noteworthy that the pedigree and name of Ikwerre people, Iwhnurọhna, obviously took its root from this original name – Ihruọha. Chief Solomon therefore establishes a very vital historical link, which has been missing in literature on Ikwerre origin that would assume more significance in the discourses of Ikwerre genealogy in the future – the fact that Akalaka was the direct father of Ihru ọha (Ikwerre). Iwhnurọhna, in Ikwere parlance, means the face of the community (town, city or village). Nigerian colonial history records that the name “Ikwerre” was given by the colonial administration when they wanted to acquire the Rebisi waterfront to build the wharf. Using an Ibo interpreter to talk to the illiterate Rebisi (Port Harcourt) chiefs, they asked them: Would you permit us to use the waterfront to build the wharf for ships to berth? And they answered: A KWERULEM , meaning – “We have agreed.” What the white-man was hearing was “Ikwerre,” so he recorded it in the official gazette that the IKWERRE PEOPLE have agreed for the colonial administration to build the wharf. And since it was the official record of government, the name Ikwerre became the name of the Iwhnurohna people in all official documentations till date. Similar cases of Anglicization of native names in the NigerDelta region by the colonial administration are Benin for Bini, Okrika for Wakrike, Degema for Udekema, Abonnema for Obonoma, Brass for Gbara sni, Bonny for Ibani, Pepple for Perekule, Ahoada for Ehuda, etc Even so, “… there were dissenting voices, … who believed that Ikwerre origins lay outside Igbo land, … in the Benin Kingdom of old. It is, therefore, obvious that the interminable debate about Ikwerre origins and migrations including the repudiation of the Igbo tradition is not a phenomenon of the post-civil war period. The controversy, as it were, is not necessarily the product of the present political realities wherein groups which hitherto were seen to have cultural affinities now find themselves in different states or administrative systems.” — K.O. Amadi (1993) The Ogbakor Ikwerre Convention, a cultural organization of Ikwerre people, in a paper presented to the Human Right Violation Commission headed by Rtd. Justice Chukwudifu Oputa on 10 October 2001, said: “Ikwerre ethnic nationality is not and has never been a sub-group of any other tribe in Nigeria including Ndi-Igbo. There is no doubt that the advent of the British and later regionalization put Ndi-Igbo at the helm of affairs in Eastern Nigeria. This brought Ndi-Igbo into Ikwerre land. In course of time, the Igbo took advantage of their position in the then Eastern Regional Government to grab land in Ikwerre and occupy political positions such as the mayor of Port Harcourt. In the process, Ikwerre along with other minority groups were marginalized and driven to the background.” Professor Godwin Tasie noted that in 1913 the Rt Rev Herbert Tugwell, the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, undertook an experimentation tour of Ikwerre towns and villages assumed to be Ibo-speaking to test the Union Ibo Bible Nso being introduced in Iboland. “Tugwell discovered from the tests he carried out that although the Ikwerre were often regarded as Ibo… the Union Ibo Bible translation, surprisingly, was not easily understood by the Ikwere.” This is obviously why Igbo vernacular was compulsorily introduced and taught in all schools in Ikwerre land before the Nigerian Civil War to the assimilation (i.e. destruction) of the Ikwere language. This also obviously led to the Rumuomasi Declaration in 1965. ” … in their meeting at Rumuomasi in 1965 the Ikwerre had, under the umbrella of a highly promising new body that was to get the Ikwerre together as a people of new and clearer vision, they had declared themselves as a people of the distinct identity of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality – not Ibo, not Ijo, not anything else but Ikwerre, Iwhnurọhna. This was the historic Rumuomasi Declaration of 1965 (G.O.M. Tasie, 2000). The full implication is that Ikwere people began to assert themselves forcefully as an ethnic nationality of their own and not Ibos or Ijos, and efforts were made to revert to the original Ikwere names for families, villages, communities and landmarks. For instance, there was the change from Umuola to Rumuola, Umuoro to Rumuoro , Umukrushi to Rumuokwurusi , just to name a few. 3 Likes |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by sylve11: 5:54pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Nice one @ op. No wonder, they do not want associate themselves with Biafran struggle. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by LawLab247: 5:55pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Ok |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by WorriorPlus: 5:58pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Great Info |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Bkayyy: 6:00pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
I think the part where Isiokpo got the name ARO-Isiokpo is missing. Please Mr OP, try and link that one to Bini. We also have eyes there. If you know what I mean 1 Like |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Fvckhypocrite(f): 6:03pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
noted |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Ojiofor: 6:06pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
[s] Heartbender:[/s] We are not interested with Ikwerri bullshıt. 10 Likes |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Bkayyy: 6:06pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Mr OP is not like I'm trying to teach you your job but the part where you said that ikwerre was asked some questions by the Igbo man mediating for the white and they answered "Ekwerulem" which is Igbo and where you later said that they learnt Igbo after being forced by the eastern region does not match. Please work on that one. The story should be spotless 19 Likes 1 Share |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by dignity33: 6:14pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
please tell us what Akalaka means in Bini since he is the origin of Ikwere as you claimed. 15 Likes 1 Share |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Uzomacharles: 6:15pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Nonsense.... op you want me to waste my time on this people?? People wey be say Na only sell land,join cult dem sabi do... 7 Likes |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Bkayyy: 6:18pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Uzomacharles:That is why both of them (Bini and Ikwerre) can't fully link themselves with a convincing story since 200 years ago. They are both busy breeding cultists instead of writers 10 Likes |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Uzomacharles: 6:20pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Bkayyy: No mind em 8 Likes
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Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by NnaGbaharam: 6:21pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Heartbender: The Igbo never colonized or ruled over any group of people. Many ethnic groups made up the Benin Kingdom including the Igbo, The kingdom was expanding just like the Igala one in Northern Igbo land, the British stopped the kingdom from expanding more. So it's wise to say there were Igbo people under the Benin Kingdom. The Western Igbo-Land was part of the Benin Kingdom. 16 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Nigeriabiafra80: 6:22pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Nawaooo Another nonsense Ikwere are benin Benin are Yoruba Can we now rest Biko You can choose to be sudanese No problem 15 Likes 1 Share
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Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Pierocash(m): 6:22pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
I don't know why ikwerre people keep forcing themselves on Bini people The late oba of Benin had so many times refuted this claim by ikwerre people. He said that no history all through ages linked ikwerre to Bini people,he said ikwerre is not from Bini and they should go look for where they came from. But this deluded fellows keep forcing themselves on Bini people. Confuse fellows 13 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Bkayyy: 6:22pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Uzomacharles:They resurrected this nonsense because of what ipob launched yesterday to divert attention but they forgot that we don't give a fück 7 Likes |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by IduNaOba: 6:23pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
I read so much igbo names I tire. Akalaka Iwhuruoha Irhuoha If you like spell. Am upside down these are common igbo names and for the fact that these are names of ancestors of ikwerre is funny. I have ekpeye friends and they know they are igbo. We call king eze, knife is mma alot of things are same words. Make I no reason anịọma matter, ọmụ anịọma ọmụ college is a hardcore Igbo ambassador and I have met her in person 11 Likes 1 Share
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Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by nku5: 6:23pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
All this na for make fulani give Wike Vice President position in 2023 I dey laugh oooo 10 Likes |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Bkayyy: 6:24pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
IduNaOba:Don't tell me you have time to argue with fools that question their identity 8 Likes |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by IduNaOba: 6:26pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
They even have ỌGBAKỌ ha ha ha 4 Likes |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Bkayyy: 6:26pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
nku5:No na to divert attention from what ipob launched yesterday. My brother ipob people surprised me yesterday. I never knew MNK had a good plan like this. In life don't underestimate anybody 11 Likes |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by IduNaOba: 6:26pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
nku5: 1 Like |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Bkayyy: 6:27pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
IduNaOba:If you see the way Oba ewuare II take dey look them when they carry flag come him palace eh lol . The guy be like "madness don go international" One even wear okpu agu go the palace self. Them get luck say Oba no accuse them if invasion 9 Likes
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Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by IduNaOba: 6:27pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Bkayyy: As flavor mention MNK I became even more confident that those that matters are now slowly showing support openly. If fG attack eastern security network, governors go endorse am so long as Biafra no dey for the name. Okwu agwụ 4 Likes |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Nigeriabiafra80: 6:28pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Bkayyy:Ogbako ikwere? They should change it to benin name please 1 Like |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by IduNaOba: 6:29pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Bkayyy: Binikwerre won't be a bad name for them. They should stop using Igbo names to commit crimes |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Bkayyy: 6:32pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Nigeriabiafra80:They fit speak Bini? Distance from where they are to Bini is like Egypt to Israel and I wonder how they managed to trek from there to this place in the ancient times except if the Akalaka was the one that invented Motorcycle lol. The funniest is that the historian forgot to tell us why Isiokpo is called ARO-Isiokpo. He should link that one asap 2 Likes |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Bkayyy: 6:32pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
IduNaOba:Them fit leave us alone? Whenever e hot, them go just run enter Aba anyhow |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by twutin1: 6:36pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by IduNaOba: 6:39pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Bkayyy:The okpu agụ shock me! I wonder if that is bini cap too 1 Like |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by Nigeriabiafra80: 6:40pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Bkayyy:One day They might claim that igbos came from ikwere That we borrowed their language |
Re: The Origin Of The Ikwerre People Of Rivers State by IduNaOba: 6:40pm On Dec 13, 2020 |
Bkayyy: Why e dey vex me be say when they commit crimes with names like amaechi and Chukwudi they will be tagged Igbo 5 Likes |
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