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The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by mordsith: 2:44pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
10. OGONI PEOPLES: Ogoni (also known as the Ogonis ) are
one of the many indigenous peoples in the region of
southeast Nigeria . They number about 1.5 million
people and live in a 404-square-mile (1,050 km 2)
homeland which they also refer to as Ogoni, or
Ogoniland. They share common oil-related
environmental problems with the Ijaw people of Niger
Delta.
The Ogoni rose to international attention after a
massive public protest campaign against Shell Oil , led
by the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People
(MOSOP).
Geography
The territory is located in Rivers State on the coast of
the Gulf of Guinea, east of the city of Port Harcourt . It
extends across the Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Khana , Gokhana , Eleme and Tae. Traditionally,
Ogoniland is divided into the six kingdoms of Babbe,
Gokana , Ken-Khana , Nyo-Khana , Eleme and Tai.
The Ogoni speak the related, mutually intelligible
languages of Khana , Gokana , Tae (Tẹẹ), Eleme, and
Ban Ogoi[2] part of the linguistic diversity of the Niger
Delta.
History
According to oral tradition, the Ogoni people migrated
from ancient Ghana down to the Atlantic coast
eventually making their way over to the eastern Niger
Delta. Linguistic calculations done by Kay Williams
place the Ogoni in the Niger Delta since before 15 BC,
making them one of the oldest settlers in the eastern
Niger Delta region. Radiocarbon dating taken from
sites around Ogoniland and the neighboring
communities oral traditions also support this claim. [3]
Traditionally, the Ogoni are agricultural, also known
for livestock herding, fishing, salt and palm oil
cultivation and trade.
Like many peoples on the Guinea coast, the Ogoni
have an internal political structure subject to
community by community arrangement, including
appointment of chiefs and community development
bodies, some recognized by government and others
not. They survived the period of the slave trade in
relative isolation, and did not lose any of their
members to enslavement. After Nigeria was colonized
by the British in 1885, British soldiers arrived in Ogoni
by 1901. Major resistance to their presence continued
through 1914.
The Ogoni were integrated into a succession of
economic systems at a pace that was extremely rapid
and exacted a great toll from them. At the turn of the
twentieth century, “the world to them did not extend
beyond the next three or four villages,” but that soon
changed. Ken Saro-Wiwa , the late president of MOSOP,
described the transition this way: “if you then think
that within the space of seventy years they were
struck by the combined forces of modernity,
colonialism, the money economy, indigenous
colonialism and then the Nigerian Civil War , and that
they had to adjust to these forces without adequate
preparation or direction, you will appreciate the
bafflement of the Ogoni people and the |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by Nobody: 2:46pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
The Ijaws are larger...Larger than the Oginis or the Tivs or the Orons or any other tribe besides Ibos, Hausas and Yorubas. We are the fourth largest tribe in Nigeria. Let me seek the wrath of some people. |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by mordsith: 2:46pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
9. THE ORON PEOPLES: The Oron people are comprised in five Local
Government Areas (LGAs) in Akwa Ibom State , and
Bakassi LGA in Cross River State. The Oron are the
third largest ethnic group in the state. The five Local
Councils in Akwa Ibom are Oron, Udung-Uko , Mbo ,
Urue-Offong/Oruko , and Okobo . The Oron people,
popularly called 'Oro Ukpabang' or 'Akpakip Oro'
or`Oro Ukpabang Okpo` by its indigenes, are made up
of several clans. There are nine clans called Afaha.
They are namely: Afaha Okpo, Afaha Ukwong, Ebughu,
Afaha Ibighi, Effiat, Afaha Ubodung, Etta, Afaha Oki-
uso, and Afaha Idua (Iluhe). However, the geopolitical
restructuring of the state and local government
creation has seen the Oron nation being fragmented
politically into two states of Nigeria, namely Cross
River and Akwa Ibom state. There are five Oron Local
Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State and one Local
Government in Cross River State.
Oron town is the third largest city in Akwa Ibom state
after Uyo and Eket . It has a population of around
250,000 people living within the city. Lying on the
Cross River, Oron has a seaport and a Maritime
Academy which is soon to become a nautical
university. The predominant occupation is fishing and
farming.
History
Oron was in existence in the pre-colonial period in
Nigeria and was formerly a part of the province called
the South-Eastern state. Natives of this area speak the
dialect also known as Oron. Most Oron people also
speak and understand the Efik language fluently. The
Oron also have some dialectical similarities with the
Ibibio and Annang people, hence their communication
in Ibibio and Annang languages is very proficient.
History has it that by 2370 BC Oron also known as {Oro
Nation} had already been settled down in the present
location known as Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria on the
West Coast of African Sub Region, Akwa Ibom Gulf
Line to Gulf of Guinea Atlantic Ocean South, after the
Great flood (Noah`s deluge). The Community as at then
and up until this moment is embedded with their
dialect Language originated by them as far back as
2370 BC, not borrowed elsewhere or from the Bantus,
Cameroun and/or Palestinian. The mass movements
raided by Bantus the warriors, into many Communities
did not mean that Oro people migrated from the
Bantus, the Cameroun or Palestinians. Neither the
Bantus attire nor any other cultural equivalent
anywhere portrays that of Oro language or names.
None of Oro Nation culture or names was derived from
Bantu or any language elsewhere as immigrant. The
Oros are peculiar people, strong contenders in nature
wherever they are found, with the accolade `Oro
Ukpabang Okpo`. Oro man complexion is not reflecting
other ethnic nationalities or immigrant somewhere into
Oro Nation. Their complexion is not as fair as the
Palestinians or of the Israelis nor as dark as people
residing around Cameroon mountain when Oro Nation
had already came into being after creation of the
world, even before pre colonialism came to being,
when Nigeria and Cameroon did not come into
existence as Countries. Abang was a warrior so
powerful with huge muscles, the Head and Chief
wrestler known as `Mbok'. The wrestling known as
(Mbok) was originated by Abang the warrior from
Africa which was displayed by the African slaves after
a day`s job, to the admiration of the Guards who
watches over them at work thereby creating relaxation
chances for them at work before it spread and
developed as wrestling around the whole world today.
Abang the warrior with his group gallantly fought
against the slave masters who were in the area for
slave trade business. One day, he was over powered
and captured with few of his group and were taken to
the present day Israel of what was then Egypt. This is
perhaps why it may be more than a mere coincidence
that the only two nations on earth with places named
“Oron” are Israel and Nigeria.
Later, he escaped from Egypt during the Moslem
celebrations period through River Nile as a strong
contender in boat regatta with few of his men . He
sailed down to Sudan via Lake Chad and settled within
the North East now Jigawa State, Nigeria in a small
area and named it `Oron` which was written and
pronounced as `Oronny` in line with Oros` phonemes
migrations. As he was not comfortable with Islam, he
escaped to a place call Usahadit area in the present
day Cameroon. There, Abang begot Do, Do begot Doni,
Doni begot Oro and Obolo. That is why there is a
prevalence of Cameroon names as Akan, Ekang,
Abang, Etong, Osung, and Etang in Oron today. Among
the Oronians, there is a saying that the farthest point
in the world is Usahadit which is in the Cameroon. He
did not know that other people were already
established on that land and due to dispute over
farmland, the group later returned home to their
original homeland of Oro Nation. <(BAKASI AND
PENINSULA REDRESS/APPEAL; Godwin Ekpo, Crude
Formations and Survey Oil Exclusive Worldwide, 2012)>
It is this return of Abang that has made some historian
believe that Oro Nation is one of the Palestinian and
Bantu ethnic nationalities that migrated from
somewhere around Israel through Egypt (North Africa)
to North Eastern Africa through Ethiopia (Abyssinia) to
Central Africa (around the present-day Congo
Republic & Democratic Republic of Congo) and
through the southern Cameroons to the present day
Niger Delta region of South-Southern Nigeria. On their
return, Doni moved to establish the present day
Andoni in Rivers State while Obolo established the
present day Eastern Obolo of Akwa Ibom State. Oron
people own up to the fact that the Ibeno, who dwell
among the Ekids share similar ancestral history with
them.< http://www.discoveriesofcenturies.com/bakasi-
window-2/ >()
One controversy says that the relationship of Oron
with Ekid is said to have gone sour when the Eket
under the regime of Brigadier General U.J. Esuene
declared and agreed to be called a subgroup of the
Ibibio nation to gain political relevance and
advantage. U.J. Esuene was also said to have denied
the Oron people of the opportunity to site the Exxon
Mobile's first terminal in Mbo and Effiat Oro areas of
Oron.
Another common controversy that describes the
worsened relationship between Oron and Eket is the
accusation that General Esuene was the one who
ordered the bombing of Urue Oruko, a region at the
heart of Oron where several millions of Oron people
(mostly traders and women) were killed during the
Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s. This unfortunate
event in Oron has been observed to be the most tragic
in the history of the Nigerian Civil War. 2 Likes |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by PoliticalThuG(m): 2:47pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
, |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by mordsith: 2:49pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
8. THE ANNANG PEOPLES: Anaang people The Anaang (also spelled Annang ) is a cultural and ethnic group that lives in Southeastern Nigeria . At present, the Anaangs have eight local government areas of the present thirty-one local government areas in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria (Akwa Ibom State Local Government Areas ), namely Abak, Essien Udim, Etim Ekpo , Ika, Ikot Ekpene , Obot Akara , Oruk Anam and Ukanafun in the Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. They were formerly located in the former Abak and Ikot Ekpene Divisions of the Anaang Province, in the former Eastern Region of Nigeria.The proper name for the Ika of Akwa Ibom is Ika-Annang . Location The Anaang people are located in southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon which was a part of the present-day Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State. However, during the then Nigerian Regional era, the then Eastern Region of Nigeria allowed Southwestern Cameroon to be partitioned out of Nigeria into Cameroon through the 1961 plebiscite. In this action the Anaang, Efik, and Ibibio people were divided between Nigeria and Cameroon. Culture Anaang society is patriarchal . Individuals locate their place in the social world from the Idip , literally translated as "womb". Thus a brother/sister from the same Idip means that they can trace their origin to the same mother or father. Since polygamy is practised in the society, those who can so trace their ancestry to the same parents form Ufok (literally a house or compound). Several ufoks make up Ekpuks or extended family and several Ekpuks (extended families) make up "Idung" (meaning village) and several villages make up the " abie" or clan. Leadership at the family, lineage, village, or clan level remains the prerogative of the men, and lineage ties extends to women even after marriage. There are many societies and associations ( Urim) for men and women which are very important in traditional village life. Individuals are measured by both the number and types of memberships in Urim and by the achievements of one or more Urims. Governance is done by elderly males who act as the legislative arm called Afe Isong, directed by the Obong or Abong Ichong (Village Chief and Clan Chief) who is the head and the chief executive but without the authority beyond what the Afe Ichong gives. A chief can be appointed by the Afe or can be an inherited office. The Anang people speak a language called Annang. They pride themselves in the ability of eloquent speech and refers to a good speaker as "Akwo Annang" [1] The Anang carve masks with grotesque features, known as idiok, which are considered dangerous and may only be viewed by members of the ekpo . Other masks embody the beautiful spirit, or mfon. [2] The strength of any individual, family (or group for that matter) is typically based upon a consensus of the village or clan through this complex social system. In all this, Anang women are not completely subordinate to men. Instead Anaang women are partners and leaders in many aspects of Anaang tradition, including serving as female chief priests "Abia Idiong" in the Idiong cult or as healers in the healing cults. The first-born female known as Adiaha is important and commands respect in the family and lineage. Some traditions hold that a woman's first birth should take place in her mothers compound. Women organizations such as "abi-de" and "Nyaama", and "Isong Iban" play important roles in giving the women voice and status in society. There are no traditional or cultural barriers that prevent women from attaining high offices or positions. Indeed, traditionally Anaang women have a great deal of economic independence from men. The society was semi-matriarchal before colonialism. Children bore the names of their mothers and such common names as Essien, Essiet, Ukpong and Umo were female names and became androgynized when the missionaries saw matriarchy as anti-Christian .(Ette,2009). Anaangs value the ability to speak well and oratory ability using proverbs is highly desirable, especially among the leaders. The American anthropologist, Peter Farb , stated that the name "Anaang" among this group means 'they who speak well' An individual who has the gift of eloquent speech is often complimented as Akwo Anaang meaning the "singer of Anaang". [3] |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by mordsith: 2:52pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
7. ITSEKIRI PEOPLE:The Itsekiri' (also called the, Isekiri, "lJekri" Itsekri or
Ishekiri or Itsekhiri ) are an ethnic group of Nigeria 's
Niger Delta area, Delta State.[1] The Itsekiri presently
number just over a million people and live mainly in
the Warri South , Warri North and Warri South West
local government districts of Delta State on the
Atlantic Coast of Nigeria . Significant communities of
Itsekiris can be found in parts of Edo and Ondo states
and in various other Nigerian cities including Lagos ,
Sapele, Benin City , Port Harcourt and Abuja . Many
people of Itsekiri descent also reside in the United
Kingdom , the USA and Canada.
The Itsekiris traditionally refer to their land as the
Kingdom of Warri or 'Iwerre' as its proper name (which
was named after a leaf called "ewerre" in bini language
which signifies goodwill and peace) – which is
geographically contiguous to the area covered by the
three Warri local government districts. The area is a
key centre of Nigeria's crude oil and natural gas
production and petroleum refining and the main town
Warri (a multi-ethnic metropolis) forms the industrial
and commercial nucleus of the Delta State region.
Ethnography
The Itsekiri are a people of mixed ethnic origins who
speak a language very closely related to the Yoruba
and Igala languages of South Western and central
Nigeria [1] but which has also borrowed some
vocabulary, particularly loan words from the Edo
(Benin) language in some court terminologies, given
the hegemony that the Benin Empire once exercised
over the area, Portuguese in trade terminologies, as
the Itsekiri were the first people in Nigeria to establish
contact with the Portuguese who were exploring the
West African coast, and also more recently, English.
Although linguistically related to the Yoruba and Igala
ethnic groups, however, through centuries of
intermingling modern day Itsekiris are of mixed ethnic
origins. They are primarily of South-Eastern
Yorubaland sub-tribes ( Ilaje , Ijebu, Akure , Ikale , Ondo
and Owo ), but also Edo , Urhobo, Ijo, some Anglo-
Scottish and Portuguese descent) and are today
mainly Christian (Protestant and Roman Catholic) by
religion.
Thus having had six centuries of direct cultural
exposure to Western Christianity and other African
influences, contemporary Itsekiri language and culture
has successfully evolved into a hybrid of the many
cultures that have influenced its development.
Similarly owing to the complex genetic mix of most
Itsekiris over the centuries, many individuals self-
identifying as Itsekiri would usually be a complex mix
of any of the aforementioned ethnic and racial groups.
History
In the 15th century, the early Itsekiris adopted a
prince Ginuwa (also called "Iginuwa" in Bini Language)
from the Kingdom of Benin as a monarch, and quickly
coalesced into a kingdom under his rule. [2]
Traditionally fishermen and traders, the Itsekiri were
among the first in the region to make contact with
Portuguese traders. [3] These interactions in the 16th
century led the Itsekiri to become primarily Roman
Catholic.
The Itsekiri monarchy has continued to the present
day, with the coronation of Ogiame Atuwatse II in
1987. The Itsekiri's historical capital is Ode-Itsekiri
(also called "big warri" or "Ale iwerre", though the
monarch's main palace is in Warri town the largest
city in the area and home to diverse other
communities including the Urhobos , Ijaws , Isoko , and
many other Nigerian and expatriate groups working in
the oil and gas industry. |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by mordsith: 2:54pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
6. THE ISOKO PEOPLES: Isoko people are an ethnolinguistic group that
inhabits the Isoko region of Delta State , Nigeria .[1]
Isokoland
historical background The Isokoland is one of the
most densely populated areas in Nigeria , with about
500 people per square kilometre compared with the
average of 198 for Delta State and 130 for Nigeria. The
consequence has been a shortage of farmland which is
accentuated by oil exploration activities in the region.
Many of the (estimated) over 475,000 Isoko people
migrated to other parts of the country, living in
Ughelli , Warri, Sapele, Benin, Ijebu Ode , Ondo , Lagos
and Kano just like every other ethnic group in Nigeria
and predominately in the rural agricultural land areas
of Benin, Ondo and Ijebu-Ode. Also, some 300,000
Isoko people are permanent indigenes of Ndokwa East
of Delta State and Sagbama local government area of
Bayelsa state.
Isokoland is essentially rural with no urban and semi-
urban centres. Isoko land is within the economic
shadow of the vibrant industrial, commercial Warri
metropolis and the result has been largely of backlash
effects, with most of the young men and women in
addition to available capital in Isokoland graduating to
Warri suburban area. The residual population is mainly
involved in agriculture, small-scale commercial and
industrial enterprises. Against this background of the
petty economic activities, massive unemployment of
youths is very high, the quality of life is low and
below the standard of living recommended by the
United Nations Development Organization and poverty
is rife in Isokoland.
Language
The Isoko ethnic group is one of the smallest minority
ethnic groups in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria in
West Africa, occupying an area of about 1,200 square
kilometres, with a residual population of over 750,000
by 2001 census. The language spoken by the Isoko
people is the Isoko language . It is linguistically similar
to that spoken by the neighboring Urhobo people.
Origins
While people[who? ] believe that the Isoko people
originated from the Benin Kingdom , others, like
Professor Obaro Ikime, believe this to be untrue. Ikime
states "If there is any aspect of the history of the
various peoples of Nigeria about which no one can
speak with any exactitude, it is that which deals with
the origins of our peoples." [2] The belief that most of
the Isoko groups are of Benin origin were views held
and expressed in the 1960s and 1970s. These views
were "decidedly simplistic and were based on British
Intelligence Reports of the 1930s" [2] and Ikime's field
work of 1961-1963. |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by mordsith: 2:57pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
5.THE IBIBIO PEOPLES: The Ibibio are a people of southeastern Nigeria . They are related to the Anaang and the Efik peoples. During colonial period in Nigeria, the Ibibio Union asked for recognition by the British as a sovereign nation (Noah, 1988). The Annang, Efik, Ekid, Oron and Ibeno share personal names, culture, and traditions with the Ibibio, and speak closely related varieties of Ibibio- Efik . Geography The Ibibio people are found predominantly in Akwa Ibom state and is made up of the related Anaang community, the Ibibio community and the Eket and Oron Communities, although other groups usually understand the Ibibio language . Because of the larger population of the Ibibio people, they hold political control over Akwa-Ibom State , but government is shared with the Anaangs, Eket and Oron. The political system follows the traditional method of consensus. Even though elections are held, practically, the political leaders are pre-discussed in a manner that is benefiting to all. Location of Ibibioland The Ibibio people are located in Southeastern Nigeria also known as Coastal Southeastern Nigeria . Prior to the existence of Nigeria as a nation, the Ibibio people were self-governed. The Ibibio people became a part of the Eastern Nigeria of Nigeria under British colonial rule. During the Nigerian Civil War, the Eastern region was split into three states. Southeastern State of Nigeria was where the Ibibio were located, one of the original twelve states of Nigeria) after Nigerian independence. The Efik, Anaang, Oron, Eket and their brothers and sisters of the Ogoja District, were also in the Southeastern State. The state (Southeastern State ) was later renamed Cross Rivers State. On 23 September 1987, by Military Decree No.24, Akwa Ibom State was carved out of the then Cross Rivers State as a separate state. Cross Rivers State remains as one of neighbouring states. Southwestern Cameroon was a part of present Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. During the then Eastern Region of Nigeria it got partitioned into Cameroon in a 1961 plebiscite. This resulted in the Ibibio, Efik, and Annang being divided between Nigeria and Cameroon. However, the leadership of the Northern Region of Nigeria was able to keep "Northwestern section" during the plebiscite that is now today's Nigerian Adamawa and Taraba states. History Origin The Ibibio have lived in the Cross River area of modern day Nigeria for several hundred years, and while written information about them only exists in colonial records from the late nineteenth century on, oral traditions have them in the region much earlier than this. "Ibio-ibio" means short or brief and doesn't have anything to do with "ulok" and while it is called "ufok" by some other Ibibio groups. The name "Ikot" often replaces "the house of... or the people of ", referring to their origin or ancestors. Another meaning for Ikot in Ibibioland is bush. |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by mordsith: 3:00pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
4. THE URHOBO PEOPLES: The Urhobos are people of southern Nigeria , near the northwestern Niger delta. The Urhobo is the major ethnic group in Delta State . Delta State is one of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria . The Urhobos speak the Urhobo language . The Urhobo culture is related to several cultures in the Niger-Delta - Isoko are related in language and culture, leading to the missionaries erroneously labelling the Urhobo and Isoko cultural groups as Sobo. This name was strongly rejected by both tribes. The Urhobo nation is made up of twenty three sub-groups, including Okpe [1] the largest of all Urhobo sub- groups. [ citation needed] There are about two million Urhobos. The word Urhobo refer to a group of people and not geographical territory. The Urhobos have social and cultural affinity to the Edo speaking people of Nigeria (Northcote Thomas, 1910). The Urhobo now live in a territory bounded by latitudes 6°and 5°, 15° North and Longitudes 5°, 40° and 6°, 25° East in the Delta State of Nigeria. Their neighbours are the Isoko to the South East, the Itsekiri to the West, the Bini to the North, Ijaw to the South and Ukwuani people to the North East. The Urhobo territory consist of evergreen forest with many oil palm trees which provide the lucrative palm produce industry for which the Urhobo have some technological preserve. The territory is covered by a network of streams whose volumes of water and flow are directly concerned with the climatic season; wet season (April–October) and dry season (November–March). History of Urhobo The Urhobos belong to the group of people whose written history was largely undocumented. There is almost an absence of European records on the Urhobo as early European arrivals were preoccupied with economic interests on the coastal communities. However, in 1505, Pereira observed that in the hinterland beyond the Forcados River lived the Subou or Sobo a name that was corrected to Urhobo in 1938. The traditions of origin of the various Urhobo groups do not contain any specific reference to their ancestor other than that 'we are or we know are Urhobo'. [dubious ] The history of the Urhobo generally began from an Edo territory supposedly around where the ancient town of Udo and Benin City are currently located. At the end of the Ogiso dynasty , many Urhobo and Edo-groups left Udo in different directions, each at its own pace, in search of more peaceful territories. It was natural that in those compelling circumstances, peace-loving and less powerful Edo-groups had to leave the territory to seek fortunes in less populated but more economically resourceful territories. The Urhobo left under separate leaders in different directions to found separate governmental organization. [2] When some of these emigrants left Benin, they found in their destinations of Urhobo territory, some Edo-speaking settlers. Each of the 22 socio-political units was called a "clan" by earlier writers, especially by British Colonial Officers in their various intelligence/assessment reports. The word "Urhobo" is used to describe the Urhobo group. Traditions among the Urhobos are replete with assertions of original dwellers and owners of their territory. These autonomous people were believed to be Urhobo, with no known history of migration from anywhere else. These traditions are without documentary or archaeological evidence. R.E. Bradbury refers to Hubbard's 1948 suggestion that 'the distinctive characteristics of the various Urhobo and Isoko tribes are a result of the super imposition of Ijaw, Ibo and later Edo immigration upon on aboriginal strata already speaking Edo-type dialects'. [3] While allowing for the absorption of immigrants and their language, as well as for the impact of routes and group sojourns on the history of the Urhobo, linguistic evidence provides a strong principle for integrating and validating other traditions of the Urhobo origin (Thomas, 1910), (Thalbot,1926 vol IV:80). The absence of archaeological prehistoric evidence give credibility to the above traditions of Urhobo origin. The structure of Urhobo ideas and language as well as their culture and other institutional forms imply historical links between them and their neighbours, particularly the Edo-speaking peoples, and other socio-linguistic groups in some yet undefined areas in the Sudan/ Egypt |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by mordsith: 3:01pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
3. THE BINI OR EDO PEOPLES: Edo people Benin Edo or Bini is the name for the place, people and language of an ethnic group in Nigeria . Similar languages are spoken from the following ethnic groups that include the Esan, the Afemai, the Owan among others. The Edo are also referred to as "Bini" or as the "Benin ethnic group", though currently the people themselves prefer to be simply called "Edo". The Edo are the descendants of the people who founded the former Benin Empire , which was located in South/Mid-Western Nigeria, encompassing what is now the Edo State of Nigeria, as well as surrounding areas. The name "Benin" is a Portuguese corruption, ultimately from the Itsekhiri 's "Ubinu", which came into use during the reign of Oba Ewuare the Great, c. 1440. The Itsekhiri's "Ubinu" was used to describe the royal administrative centre or city or capital proper of the kingdom, Edo. 'Ubinu' was later corrupted to 'Bini' by the mixed ethnicities living together at the centre; and further corrupted to "Benin" around 1485 when the Portuguese began trade relations with Oba Ewuare. See Oba of Benin |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by chriskosherbal(m): 3:03pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
Culture and tradition |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by mordsith: 3:07pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
2. THE IJAW PEOPLES: Ijaw (also known by the subgroups " Ijo" or " Izon " are
a collection of peoples indigenous mostly to the forest
regions of the Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States within
the Niger Delta in Nigeria . Some are resident in Akwa-
Ibom, Edo , and Ondo states also in Nigeria . Many are
found as migrant fishermen in camps as far west as
Sierra Leone and as far east as Gabon along the
Western Africa coastline and the Dakolo Family that
migrated from Ghana notable from the family is Timi
Dakolo .
The Ijo population is estimated to be over 10 million
people. They have long lived in locations near many
sea trade routes, and they were well connected to
other areas by trade as early as the 15th century. [2]
The former President of Nigeria , Goodluck Jonathan , is
an Ijaw.
Language
Main article: Ijoid languages
The Ijaw
speak nine
closely
related Niger–
Congo
languages , all
of which
belong to the
Ijoid branch of
the Niger–
Congo tree.
The primary
division between the Ijo languages is that between
Eastern Ijo and Western Ijo, the most important of the
former group of languages being Izon , which is
spoken by about ten million people.
There are two prominent groupings of the Izon
language. The first, termed either Western or Central
Izon (Ijaw) consists of Western Ijaw speakers:
Ekeremor , Sagbama (Mein) , Bassan, Apoi , Arogbo,
Boma (Bumo), Kabo (Kabuowei) , Ogboin, Tarakiri, and
Kolokuma-Opokuma (Yenagoa ). [citation needed ]
Nembe , Brass and Akassa (Akaha) dialects represent
Southeast Ijo (Izon). [citation needed]. Buseni and
Okordia dialects are considered Inland
Ijo. [ citation needed]
The other major Ijaw linguistic group is Kalabari .
Kalabari is considered an Eastern Ijaw language but
the term "Eastern Ijaw" is not the normal
nomenclature. Kalabari is the name of one of the Ijaw
clans that reside on the eastern side of the Niger-
Delta (Abonnema, Buguma, Bakana, Degema etc.) who
form a major group in Rivers State, hence their
involvement in the fight for greater oil control. Other
"Eastern" Ijaw clans are the Okrika, Ibani (the natives
of Bonny, Finima and Opobo) and Nkoroo . They are
neighbours to the Kalabari people in present-day
Rivers State, Nigeria .
Other related Ijaw subgroups which have distinct
languages but very close kinship, cultural and
territorial ties with the rest of the Ijaw are the Epie-
Atissa , Engenni (also known as Ẹgẹnẹ), and Degema
(also called Udekama or Udekaama). [3] These groups
speak Delta Edoid languages . The Ogbia clan, Andoni
people , as well as residents of Bukuma and Abuloma
( Obulom ) speak Cross River
languages .[ citation needed]
It was discovered in the 1980s that a nearly extinct
Berbice Creole Dutch , spoken in Guyana, is partly
based on Ijo lexicon and grammar . Its nearest relative
seems to be Eastern Ijo, most likely Kalabari
(Kouwenberg 1994).
Origin
Their settlement in the delta was from the earliest of
times. Unfortunately not much is known about this
period, only that traditionally it is said that these early
ancestors “dropped from the sky” (i.e. to say the Orus
were of divine origin), and were devotees of a spiritual
culture that made much use of the waters (hence the
mermaid and water people legends “Beni-Otu”) They
were later to be joined by other ancestors “Kumoni-
Orus” from about 400 CE, and 650 CE (AD), who, after
settling first in the Nupe and Borgu regions, then the
Ile-Ife region, moved to the Benin region via Nupe,
and Ife. [4]
In the Benin region they eventually settled and
launched expeditions into the Niger Delta, where they
came across remote settlements of the Orus, whom
they termed “ancient people”. But because they were
also ultimately Oru, from the beginning they
established communities as one people. The Ijos were
known by the two names of Kumoni or Oru up till the
time of the 19th century. European visitors noted the
name Oru as a distinct term for Ijaw. Likewise the
compilers of the Izon/English dictionary noted that “to
speak Kumoni is to speak pure Izon language”. The
term Ijo (Ijaw) or Izon evolved as the name of the
whole ethnic nationality through time, even though as
a personal name it derived from one ancestor who was
known as Ujo, whom as we have previously
mentioned, represents the time when the Ijos evolved
as a distinct separate people from their neighbours.[4] |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by mordsith: 3:12pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
1. IGBO PEOPLES: The Igbo people, often spelled and pronounced " Ibo " (because the Europeans had difficulty making the /ɡ͡b/ sound), [2] are an ethnic group of southern Nigeria directly indigenous to East and West of the lower Niger River, with very significant population found in the eastern side of the river.[3] They speak Igbo, which includes various Igboid languages and dialects. [4][5] Igbo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa. [6] In rural Nigeria, Igbo people work mostly as craftsmen, farmers and traders. The most important crop is the yam ; celebrations take place annually to celebrate its harvesting. [7] Other staple crops include cassava and taro .[8] Before British colonial rule , the Igbo were a politically fragmented group. There were variations in culture such as in art styles, attire and religious practices. Various subgroups were organized by clan, lineage , village affiliation, and dialect. There were not many centralized chiefdoms , hereditary aristocracy, or kingship customs except in kingdoms such as those of the Nri , Arochukwu , Agbor and Onitsha . [9] This political system changed significantly under British colonialism in the early 20th century; Frederick Lugard introduced Eze (kings) into most local communities as "Warrant Chiefs". [10] The Igbo became overwhelmingly Christian under colonization. Chinua Achebe 's Things Fall Apart is one of the most popular novels to depict Igbo culture and changes under colonialism. By the mid-20th century, the Igbo people developed a strong sense of ethnic identity. [8] Certain conflicts with other Nigerian ethnicities led to Igbo-densely populated Eastern Nigeria seceding to create the independent state of Biafra . The Nigerian Civil War or the Nigerian-Biafran War (6 July 1967 – 15 January 1970) broke out shortly after. With their defeat, the Republic of Biafra once again was part of Nigeria. [11] MASSOB , a sectarian organization formed in 1999, continues a non-violent struggle for an independent Igbo state.[12] Due to the effects of migration and the Atlantic slave trade , there are descendant ethnic Igbo populations in countries such as Cameroon [13] and Equatorial Guinea , [14] as well as outside Africa. Their exact population outside Africa is unknown, but today many African Americans and Afro Caribbeans are of Igbo descent. According to Liberian historians the fifth president of Liberia Edward James Roye was of Igbo descent.[15] Identity The Igbo people have had fragmented and politically independent communities. [16] Before knowledge of Europeans and full exposure to other neighbouring ethnic groups , the Igbo did not have a strong identity as one people. As in the case of most ethnic groups, the British and fellow Europeans identified the Igbo as a tribe.[17] Chinua Achebe , among other scholars, challenged this because of its negative connotations and possible wrong definition.[17] He suggested defining the Igbo people as a nation although the Igbo do not have an officially recognized physical state of their own. [17][18] Due to the effects of migration and the Atlantic slave trade , there are descendant historical Igbo populations in countries such as Cameroon[13] and Equatorial Guinea , [14] as well as outside Africa; many African Americans and Afro Caribbeans are believed to be partially of Igbo descent. The most common name for the Igbo in English was formerly "Ibo". [19] They have also been known as the "Iboe", "'Ebo", "Eboe", [20][21][22] "Eboans", [23] or "Heebo". [24] Their territory and main settlement have often also been known by their name. [19] History Origin Pottery dated at around 2500 BCE showing similarities with later Igbo work was found at Nsukka , along with pottery and tools at nearby Ibagwa; the traditions of the Umueri clan have as their source the Anambra valley . In the 1970s the Owerri , Okigwe, Orlu , Awgu, Udi and Awka divisions were determined to constitute "an Igbo heartland" from the linguistic and cultural evidence. [25] The Igbo groups are the Omoku , Ikwerre, Oyigbo , Anioma , Etche, Ogubolo, Ndoni , Opobo and Other Igbo subgroups 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by Ecoterrorism(f): 3:18pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
This cool but some tribal numbskulls will desecrate this thread like IFA sacrifice |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by Ugomba(m): 3:20pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
Nice Work@OP. Igboid Sub-Groups are the majority in South South here and I am part of one of such groups(Anioma). - There may be some issue about unity among Igbo Race mainly due to the civil war, BUT the TRUTH is a mighty force that always win. I refuse to be a minority. Proudly Ogwashi Ukwu Proudly Aniocha South LGA. Proudly Anioma Proudly Delta Igbo. 1 Like |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by babyfaceafrica: 3:39pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
Ok |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by aleege: 3:40pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
The Ogoni is d eye opener to the rest of the tribe in SS |
Re: The Largest Tribes Of The South South..........mordsith. by mordsith: 3:46pm On Feb 17, 2016 |
Letters & Viewpoints
Johnbull Diepreye
jdiepreye@yahoo.com
The Igbo Have had their turn in Rivers state
ANNOUNCE THIS ARTICLE TO YOUR FRIENDS
I am writing to raise the awareness of the general
public and to register our protest against the brazen
injustice being perpetrated in Rivers state by Dr Peter
Chinwe Otunnuya Odili himself an Igbo from the Ndoni
Ogbaru clan who has forcefully foisted Hon. Chibuike
Amaechi another Igbo from the Ikwerre clan as the PDP
gubernatorial candidate thereby ignoring the official
zoning policy of the nation which was mooted to
create unity and a sense of belonging amongst all
constituent units in the country.
It is common knowledge that Rivers state has a lot of
similarities with Delta state where you have the
Urhobo, Igbo, Ijaw etc as constituent ethnic groups. In
the case of Rivers state we have the Igbo or Igboid
groups which comprise the Ogba, Egbema Ndoni, the
Eche, the Ikwerre, the Ekpeye, Oyigbo, etc The Ijaw or
Ijoid groups which comprise Kalabari, Bonny, Opobo
etc and lastly the Ogoni, this much is reflected in the
Rivers state government official gazette.
Since the creation of Bayelsa state, the Igbo or Igboid
groups now constitute the majority in Rivers state, but
that notwithstanding the zoning policy makes it
mandatory that either the Ijaw or the Ogoni is
supposed to produce the next governor of Rivers state,
the Igbo having had their full 8 year turn under Dr Peter
Odili. But surprisingly Dr Peter Odili ignored the
sensibilities of the Ijaw and Ogoni people and went
ahead to impose Hon. Chibuike Amaechi his ethnic
brother on Rivers state.
We are happy to note that Delta state, a state with
many similarities has honoured the zoning formula by
picking Chief Oduaghan, from the Itshekiri ethnic group
after the Urhobo have had their turn. This will
expectedly foster unity and a sense of belonging. We
expect the Rivers state government to do the same
thing in the name of justice and fairplay.
What Dr Peter Odili has done is tantamount to having
an Asaba man preside over Delta state, and after his 8
year tenure pick another Ukwuani man to succeed him,
which represent handing the baton from one Igbo to
another Igbo in a multi-ethnic state. Such a move is
bound to cause a backlash and crisis if not nipped in
the bud.
The attempt to hide under an invented and imaginary
"Ikwerre ethnic nationality" to justify the brazen
injustice is a monumental fraud that must be resisted.
The ethnic identity of each group in Nigeria has long
been established under the British colonial
administration for almost a century, and subsequent
anthropological, cultural and linguistic researches has
confirmed same. Any attempt to seek to confuse the
facts in order to benefit from another turn by the same
ethnic group as Rivers state governor is bound to
unavoidably lead to crisis.
We use this opportunity to thank elder statesman Chief
Alabo Graham Douglas for alerting the public to the
unfolding fraud being perpetrated by Dr Peter Odili and
sending a petition to the presidency in protest.
We pray and hope that commonsense will prevail on
the PDP and presidency to revert to an Ijaw or Ogoni
candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial elections.
The Igbo having had their turn should have the
humility to step down for the Ijaw or Ogoni, and wait
for their turn again which will surely come as the
rotation which has become part and parcel of the
Nigerian political process continues.
http://www.nigeriaworld.com/board/viewtopic.php?
t=3573 |
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