Guys I was came across this thread on indigienes of Delta https://www.nairaland.com/319743/delta-people-please-me-educate

In my search, I also came across this link http://na-uk.org/history.php

I am actually interested cos no matter how much one researches on a subject, any additional information would help. My particular interest is on the Ndokwa people of delta. I am igbo and my wife is from delta. Don´t get me wrong, I love my wife and she me. We also reserched my wife´s family thoroughly and where satisfied. I just want to know more cos wifey grow up in outside delta and really doesn´t know much about her people
Additional or more information would be appreciated.

Ndokwa people speak a dialect called Ukwuani. Ndokwa is one of the 9 local councils in Delta state called Anioma or Delta Igbo.
They are a hardworking people and peaceful minded. Their chief town is Kwale, also is Aboh situated along the Great River Niger. The slave of Igbo origin who bought his freedom and later wrote about his life is from Ndokwa. His name is Olaudah Eqiano.

Andre Uweh: Ndokwa people speak a dialect called Ukwuani. Ndokwa is one of the 9 local councils in Delta state called Anioma or Delta Igbo.
They are a hardworking people and peaceful minded. Their chief town is Kwale situated along the Great River Niger. The slave of Igbo origin who bought his freedom and later wrote about his life is from Ndokwa. His name is Olaudah Eqiano.

thanx for ur input. Do u have any information about the part they played during the slave trade? Someone we met in Delta then made some side comments about their ancestors worshiping Arusi. Can u shed more light there (the man actually said they were devil worshippers)? More information pls.

Here's some information I found regarding the role of the Ndokwa in the slave trade:

Some early historical accounts from White (Europeans) visitors
The source of the material below is from Prof. E. Isichei's work: "Igbo World"

Olfert Dapper: Aboh in the seventeenth century
Gaboe is situated near the Benin River. To reach this kingdom from Benin, it is necessary to ascend the river for eight days. It is a country of the Acori and Jasper. The Dutch acquire many slaves there. The inhabitants are friendly and rather like those of Benin.

Ukwuani in 1896 (R. F. Locke)
This document describes a journey from Sapele to Abraka (an Urhobo community) to Abbi and Amai, which are western Igbo communities with strong Urhobo links. Amai claims to have been founded in the same migration as Aboh.


On the morning of the 19th., we all left[the Abraka area] for Abe[Abbi]. On leaving Asagba[Aragba] we soon came to some exceedingly well-kept and large plantations, consisting of yams, kassada,[cassava] and a bean called "isisi". These plantations continued the whole way to Abe, with the exception of short stretches of bush, through which the paths were about 3 feet deep in water and in one place about 5 feet.
After about one and three quarter hours walking we came to a village of considerable size, named Enam. This village is under Abe. After going through the usual native custom of welcome, I asked the Headman to go on to Abe with us, which he did. We arrived there about 1 o'clock, having taken one hour and forty minutes walk from Enam, still through large plantations, and at one place over a long bridge...
The Chief of Abe, by name Ijome, I was informed, was the Chief of the Quale country, but I found out that the real Chief lives in the Niger Company Territories near Abo...
When we left for Amie[Amai], which took us one hour and twenty minutes to reach. There we had an enormous reception, the people there not having seen a white man. At this town there are two very old men, who are the head Chiefs, but they now are past doing anything, so never attend meetings. Although the town is very large, with some thousands of inhabitants, there are only two Chiefs, both of whom appear to be shrewd men...This town has numerous kolanut trees, which may be made a further source of trade.
All towns and villages we went through are most beautifully laid out and well kept, there being broad roads lined with banana and cocoa-nut tress. The palm trees seemed to be rather scattered.

A smith at Utchi, 1890 (C. Harford-Battersby)
I went through the Native village, and saw a Native blacksmith at work with a very original pair of bellows, the bellows being made of goat's hide and the funnel of earthenware.

Ukwuani in 1902 (Widenham Fosbery)
The document, which follows, refers to the Kwale area. Iselegu is one of the component villages of Afor. (This is the only reference known to me, of Aro activity west of the Niger.
With regard to the reported sale of slaves at Iselleugu, they acknowledged that such had been carried on by the Aros but that since the occupation of Umuchuku it had ceased and this I believe....
The trade of the Creek is in the hands of the Aboh and Aseh Natives who act as middlemen between towns inland and the Factories.
They have small trading settlements at most of the waterside markets of these towns, and trade as far as Omona on the Creek; oil, kernels, and food stuffs being the chief products dealt in...
The banks of the Creek are generally low lying with thick bush or long grass - here and there patches of red soil.
Ukwuani in 1904
All the towns named in the margin ["Ogume, Ebide[Ebedie], Umukwata, Okoku[Akoku], Obiaruku, Jocpa [Iziokpo], Amie [Amai], Amebu [Umuebu], Asagba[Aragba]"] were visited between 28th. March and 6th. April and they may be said to form the northern half of the Kwale country trading chiefly with the markets of Obiaruku and Abraka on the Ethiope River...The towns admitted that they were constantly engaged in inter-tribal warfare consisting chiefly in raids on persons and markets. Many of them, notably Ebide, had elaborated stockades and entrenchments as a protection against a more powerful neighbourhood. We also found that the towns farthest from the waterside markets were prevented from sending their produce direct to them, but were compelled to pass it through a chain of towns as intermediaries.

I once read some parts of a book that mentioned the practice of python worshipping in Ukwuani areas. Although I've forgotten the name, if I remember it, I will post it.

Oh, and the Ndokwa have four market days which are: eke, olie, afo, and nkwo.

The Ndokwa also have a well-developed music industry in Ukwuani dialect.

odumchi: Here's some information I found regarding the role of the Ndokwa in the slave trade:

great this one is just priceless, pls more

@Dronel, you can know where Ndokwa is located on the map here. Look at the south west of the map, KWALE is the exact location of Ndokwa.
Just as there are many dialects in Igboland, Ndokwaland has its own unique dialect called Ukwuani.

We also reserched my wife´s family thoroughly and where satisfied. I just want to know more cos wifey grow up in outside delta and really doesn´t know much about her people

@ bolded

that's interesting.

not really unusual for nigeria anyway.

Andre Uweh: Ndokwa people speak a dialect called Ukwuani. Ndokwa is one of the 9 local councils in Delta state called Anioma or Delta Igbo.
They are a hardworking people and peaceful minded. Their chief town is Kwale, also is Aboh situated along the Great River Niger. The slave of Igbo origin who bought his freedom and later wrote about his life is from Ndokwa. His name is Olaudah Eqiano.

I never knew this. Interesting, he's biography did it talk about how Ndokwa is during tha era. If so, in comparison to Ndokwa of today how does it differ or similar.

sorry to OP, I know it's a little bit out of your topic for thread but i'm intrigued to know

One_Naira:

I never knew this. Interesting, he's biography did it talk about how Ndokwa is during tha era. If so, in comparison to Ndokwa of today how does it differ or similar.

sorry to OP, I know it's a little bit out of your topic for thread but i'm intrigued to know

no its fine just feel free to ask ur questions and we all hope to get answers at the end of the day. As long as its still within the same topic, besides I don´t think ur question to way off the topic

drnoel:

thanx for ur input. Do u have any information about the part they played during the slave trade? Someone we met in Delta then made some side comments about their ancestors worshiping Arusi. Can u shed more light there (the man actually said they were devil worshippers)? More information pls.

Dont know much abt other Ndokwa towns but history books are replete with accounts of Aboh paticipation in the slave trade both with the Brits and locally, relics of the ancient trade still litter one of the ancient standing Palaces till today. Slavery was pretty widespread in the ancient Kingdom and one of Prof Isichei's account tells the tale of about 40slaves being buried alongside the very powerful Obi Ossai. As a matter of fact, some in present day Aboh can still point to families who settled in the community after they failed to retrace their original roots, Come to think of it, the Aboh people must have known quite a lot abt Slave trade for their king to have abducted the Lander Brothers and "sold" them off to the Atta of Igala!

About the worship of Arusi, u're right but in these parts its called alishi (or more appropriately alrishi) and is the chief god in Aboh and a few communities around. Unlike a few other local gods, its origin seems to be quite deeper as it is the undisputed god of d land though the influence of certain foreign traditions is obvious on it. There is the alrishi-mmili which seems to be a potpourri of ijaw and indigenous traditions judging by how its celebrated and "danced"- best I stop here lest I veer too far.
About worshipping the devil, I guess any trad without roots in either of the Abrahamic religions are doing so arent they?

@Wesley80, it is interesting to note that you say Alishi instead or Arushi. In some other places in Igboland, it is called Alusi or alushi.
I think it will be nice for some of you guys paritcipate in those threads about various Igbo dialects or various Igbo greetings. It really helps one another.

Andre Uweh: @Wesley80, it is interesting to note that you say Alishi instead or Arushi. In some other places in Igboland, it is called Alusi or alushi.
I think it will be nice for some of you guys paritcipate in those threads about various Igbo dialects or various Igbo greetings. It really helps one another.

Exactly.

wesley80:

Dont know much abt other Ndokwa towns but history books are replete with accounts of Aboh paticipation in the slave trade both with the Brits and locally, relics of the ancient trade still litter one of the ancient standing Palaces till today. Slavery was pretty widespread in the ancient Kingdom and one of Prof Isichei's account tells the tale of about 40slaves being buried alongside the very powerful Obi Ossai. As a matter of fact, some in present day Aboh can still point to families who settled in the community after they failed to retrace their original roots, Come to think of it, the Aboh people must have known quite a lot abt Slave trade for their king to have abducted the Lander Brothers and "sold" them off to the Atta of Igala!

About the worship of Arusi, u're right but in these parts its called alishi (or more appropriately alrishi) and is the chief god in Aboh and a few communities around. Unlike a few other local gods, its origin seems to be quite deeper as it is the undisputed god of d land though the influence of certain foreign traditions is obvious on it. There is the alrishi-mmili which seems to be a potpourri of ijaw and indigenous traditions judging by how its celebrated and "danced"- best I stop here lest I veer too far.
About worshipping the devil, I guess any trad without roots in either of the Abrahamic religions are doing so arent they?

This is very interesting. Do the Aboh na Ndoni and Ndokwa practice python worship?

^^ Neither town "worships" pythons. But some years back, a usually little green snake (not the mamba cos it was a non poisonous snake) was accepted to represent some kind of diety (not sure which) and was allowed to roam free even around homes, but it was not a very "serious" tradition. I remember going home as a kid in 1990 and someone sighted one of the supposedly revered snakes around my grandpa's house, without hesitation, he ordered that the snake b killed wondering what kind of diety wld stroll into his house to 'embarass' him b4 his guests! That was the only encounter I can recall and abt the only time I heard of such tradition among the Aboh people, these days, its unimaginable to grant any sort of reverence to any snake in Aboh - I guess that generation passed on without passing on that aspect of our tradition.
I know abt a number of Ukwuani towns but cant recall hearing abt any that practices "python worship" though I know I cant beat my chest to say non does. I'm however currently on location in an Urhobo town very close to Warri that actually practices that tradition and yes, they r very serious abt it.

Andre Uweh: @Wesley80, it is interesting to note that you say Alishi instead or Arushi. In some other places in Igboland, it is called Alusi or alushi.
I think it will be nice for some of you guys paritcipate in those threads about various Igbo dialects or various Igbo greetings. It really helps one another.

Its actually called "a-lri-shi" and that "lri" is usually what distinguishes the Aboh/Ndoni and Ashaka dialects from most. There's no provision for certain aspects of our dialect in the English language so I understand it wld be difficult to actually pass on the actual pronunciation using English letters. I'll try n visit those threads more often like u've suggested I'm sure the benefit wld be mutual.

wesley80: ^^ Neither town "worships" pythons. But some years back, a usually little green snake (not the mamba cos it was a non poisonous snake) was accepted to represent some kind of diety (not sure which) and was allowed to roam free even around homes, but it was not a very "serious" tradition. I remember going home as a kid in 1990 and someone sighted one of the supposedly revered snakes around my grandpa's house, without hesitation, he ordered that the snake b killed wondering what kind of diety wld stroll into his house to 'embarass' him b4 his guests! That was the only encounter I can recall and abt the only time I heard of such tradition among the Aboh people, these days, its unimaginable to grant any sort of reverence to any snake in Aboh - I guess that generation passed on without passing on that aspect of our tradition.
I know abt a number of Ukwuani towns but cant recall hearing abt any that practices "python worship" though I know I cant beat my chest to say non does. I'm however currently on location in an Urhobo town very close to Warri that actually practices that tradition and yes, they r very serious abt it.

Oh! now thats sound familiar. I am igbo, originally from orlu and I heard a similar snake was being revered or so in those regions. Cos we almost ran over one a long time ago and the elderly people with us almost danced themselves into agitation. They kept saying thing we didn´t undertsand then and i still don´t know. All I could piece up was that the snake was revered.

I am from the Town of Umunoha which is very close to the Njaba River in Imo State. Such pythons are not killed. There are Sacred. We called them "Eke Njaba". Villages close to the Njaba River do not harm this specie of snake. Its believe to have been sent by the River goddess.

Where are those descendants(Chucky and ishilove) of ezeh obi ossai slaves.

When a real son of the soil(Wesley) speaks,you will know,the difference is always clear.

pazienza: Where are those descendants(Chucky and ishilove) of ezeh obi ossai slaves.

Bullshit.

Andre Uweh: The slave of Igbo origin who bought his freedom and later wrote about his life is from Ndokwa. His name is Olaudah Eqiano.

Care to explain how you came by this information? Olaudah was ten years old or there about when he was sold into slavery.

wesley80: ^^ Neither town "worships" pythons. But some years back, a usually little green snake (not the mamba cos it was a non poisonous snake) was accepted to represent some kind of diety (not sure which) and was allowed to roam free even around homes, but it was not a very "serious" tradition. I remember going home as a kid in 1990 and someone sighted one of the supposedly revered snakes around my grandpa's house, without hesitation, he ordered that the snake b killed wondering what kind of diety wld stroll into his house to 'embarass' him b4 his guests! That was the only encounter I can recall and abt the only time I heard of such tradition among the Aboh people, these days, its unimaginable to grant any sort of reverence to any snake in Aboh - I guess that generation passed on without passing on that aspect of our tradition.
I know abt a number of Ukwuani towns but cant recall hearing abt any that practices "python worship" though I know I cant beat my chest to say non does.

Snakes were never revered in Ukwani land. Some folks even eat the disgusting creature. However in towns Abbi, it is forbidden to eat snails.

Ishilove:
Bullshit.

When the time is right,you and your types in ukwuani,will be reminded of how your ancestors came there. Enjoy one nigeria,while it lasts.

Ishilove:
Snakes were never revered in Ukwani land. Some folks even eat the disgusting creature. However in towns Abbi, it is forbidden to eat snails.

It's not ukwani, it's ukwuani. You lots have spent a reasonable amount of time in ukwuani,and yet you lots know little about the land,where your slave ancestors were granted freedom,and your igala ancestors came to see as home.

The ancient igbo communities west of the niger,had two divisions,these are, UKWUANI meaning lowland, and ENUANI meaning highland. Enuani comprises of ika,oshimili,aniocha of today, while ndokwa and ukwuani represents Ukwuani.

It's not suprising that you don't know this fact,considering that your ancestors were recent migrants to Ukwuani,so i would excuse you for spelling Ukwuani as Ukwani.

But it is really funny watching an mbiarabia(ishilove),trying to refute an amadi(wesley) on the traditions of his(wesley) people. Really hilarious.

pazienza:

It's not ukwani, it's ukwuani. You lots have spent a reasonable amount of time in ukwuani,and yet you lots know little about the land,where your slave ancestors were granted freedom,and your igala ancestors came to see as home.

The ancient igbo communities west of the niger,had two divisions,these are, UKWUANI meaning lowland, and ENUANI meaning highland. Enuani comprises of ika,oshimili,aniocha of today, while ndokwa and ukwuani represents Ukwuani.

It's not suprising that you don't know this fact,considering that your ancestors were recent migrants to Ukwuani,so i would excuse you for spelling Ukwuani as Ukwani.

But it is really funny watching an mbiarabia(ishilove),trying to refute an amadi(wesley) on the traditions of his(wesley) people. Really hilarious.

Guy, you keep spewing bullshit. Stay the fucck on your lane because you don't know me, neither do you have any idea about my ancestry.

Ishilove:
Guy, you keep spewing bullshit. Stay the fucck on your lane because you don't know me, neither do you have any idea about my ancestry.

Hey there, let me appologise to u just in case u felt insulted by any person on this thread but pls don't derail my topic. I came here to acquire more information on a certain group of people, so please respect other people and try not to throw insults.

drnoel:
Hey there, let me appologise to u just in case u felt insulted by any person on this thread but pls don't derail my topic. I came here to acquire more information on a certain group of people, so please respect other people and try not to throw insults.

Mr Man don't provoke me. A total stranger is calling a person he doesn't know jackshit about a descendant of slaves and you are telling me about insult and respect?? What stopped you from cautioning him?

Don't provoke me, I repeat.

As for your bloody topic, I did a mini-thesis on the history of the Ukwani and Ndosimili people in my three hundred level. As soon as I can get my hands on the manuscript, I will post some of my findings.

Ishilove: As for your bloody topic, I did a mini-thesis on the history of the Ukwani and Ndosimili people in my three hundred level. As soon as I can get my hands on the manuscript, I will post some of my findings.

U can't even spell ukwuani well,you have little knowledge about ukwuani,yet you did a mini-thesis? SMH.

pazienza:

U can't even spell ukwuani well,you have little knowledge about ukwuani,yet you did a mini-thesis? SMH.

Abeg u guys should try and mature up. Allow the lady abeg, u she is alittle sensitive to crude jokes.

pazienza:

U can't even spell ukwuani well,you have little knowledge about ukwuani,yet you did a mini-thesis? SMH.

Would be nice to read what u can dig up...