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

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.

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.

,

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]

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Culture and tradition

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]

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

This cool but some tribal numbskulls will desecrate this thread like IFA sacrifice

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.

Ok

The Ogoni is d eye opener to the rest of the tribe in SS

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