Majority of the Ikwerre settlements have their roots traceable from the old Benin Empire. And note the Akpọ people didn't migrated from anywhere.” Iwhnurọhna people descended from the ancient Bini Kingdom. The name of the grand ancestor is Akalaka. Their relations in Rivers State are Ekpeye and Ogba people. The reigning Oba of Benin when Akalaka, the ancestor of Ihruọha (later called Iwhnurọhna) fled was Oba Ewuare(Ogwaro). Akalaka, a member of the Benin royal family, fled in the 13 th century on allegation of plotting assassination of the Oba. He died in 1462. Iwhnurọhna his third son settled east of the Sombrero River by 1538 AD, as detailed below.
Chief N.M.T. Solomon (2004), native of Ikodu Ubie in Ekpeyeland, in his narrative draws heavily from the now authenticated written historical records delivered by various informed sources including “Eketu (Weber) of Ubeta, assumed to have lived for over two hundred (200) years as the oldest man in all Ekpeye, Ogba and Iwhnurọ hna (or Ikwerre), at that time (and) was asked to narrate the history and customs of Ekpeye people” as unfolded in his lifetime. Here is what he said, which has been validated by the accounts of the current generation through responses to our questionnaires and direct interviews thereby increasing our level of confidence on the data: Ekpeye, born in Benin, was the first of the three sons of Akalaka. While in Ndoni, he married a second wife to gain the love and favour of the people. The new wife gave birth to a son, which he named Ogba. Akalaka was still in Ndoni when his first wife, the mother of Ekpeye, gave birth to his third son called Ihruoha(Ikwerre). Similar historical fact by J.N. Olise (1971) averred that: “Akalaka, a member of the Benin royal family, fled with his wife from Benin to Ndoni, a community located close to the River Niger, to save the life of his new born baby (Ekpeye).
While at Ndoni, Akalaka took a second wife. Akalaka had two sons, Ekpeye – born to him by his Benin wife, and Ogba – born to him by his Ndoni wife. According to F.E. Otuwarikpo (1994): ” After the death of Akalaka in 1462 AD, his two sons, Ekpeye and Ogba had conflict, which compelled Ogba, the younger son, to move northwards where he founded Ohiakwo(Obigwe) and settled with his family. Ekpeye who remained at Ula-Ubie had seven sons – Ubie, Akoh, Upata, Igbuduya, Ekpe, Awala and Asa. The last three sons – Ekpe, Awala and Asa crossed to the other side of Sombreiro River (present day Ikwerreland and settled there since 1538 AD.” He added that: “Ekpe migrated to present day Rumuekpe and spread through Elele (Alimini), Ndele, Rumuji and part of Ibaa. Awala migrated to present day Isiokpo …” Amadi-Nna (1993) also said Akalaka migrated with his half brother called Ochichi from the area of Benin Empire. Ochichi sons were Ele (Omerele, now Elele), Elu (Elumuoha, now Omerelu), Egbe (Egbeda) and Mini (Alimini, Isiokpo). The crucial point here, which is of great importance in tracing the joint origin of the ancestors of the Old Ahoada Division (in the Governor Diete-Spiff administration), is the mention of the number of children that Akalaka had, namely: Ekpeye, Ogba and Ihru ọ ha (Ikwerre).
It is noteworthy that the pedigree and name of Ikwerre people, Iwhnurọhna, obviously took its root from this original name – Ihruọha. Chief Solomon therefore establishes a very vital historical link, which has been missing in literature on Ikwerre origin that would assume more significance in the discourses of Ikwerre genealogy in the future – the fact that Akalaka was the direct father of Ihru ọha (Ikwerre). Iwhnurọhna, in Ikwere parlance, means the face of the community (town, city or village).
Nigerian colonial history records that the name “Ikwerre” was given by the colonial administration when they wanted to acquire the Rebisi waterfront to build the wharf. Using an Ibo interpreter to talk to the illiterate Rebisi (Port Harcourt) chiefs, they asked them: Would you permit us to use the waterfront to build the wharf(Seaport)for ships to berth? And they answered: A KWERULEM , meaning – “We have agreed.”
What the white-man was hearing was “Ikwerre,” so he recorded it in the official gazette that the IKWERRE PEOPLE have agreed for the colonial administration to build the wharf. And since it was the official record of government, the name Ikwerre became the name of the Iwhnurohna people in all official documentations till date.
Similar cases of Anglicization of native names in the NigerDelta region by the colonial administration are Benin for Bini, Okrika for Wakrike, Degema for Udekema, Abonnema for Obonoma, Brass for Gbara sni, Bonny for Ibani, Pepple for Perekule, Ahoada for Ehuda, etc Even so, “… there were dissenting voices, … who believed that Ikwerre origins lay outside Igbo land, … in the Benin Kingdom of old. It is, therefore, obvious that the interminable debate about Ikwerre origins and migrations including the repudiation of the Igbo tradition is not a phenomenon of the post-civil war period. The controversy, as it were, is not necessarily the product of the present political realities wherein groups which hitherto were seen to have cultural affinities now find themselves in different states or administrative systems.” — K.O. Amadi (1993)
The Ogbakor Ikwerre Convention, a cultural organization of Ikwerre people, in a paper presented to the Human Right Violation Commission headed by Rtd. Justice Chukwudifu Oputa on 10 October 2001, said: “Ikwerre ethnic nationality is not and has never been a sub-group of any other tribe in Nigeria including Ndi-Igbo". There is no doubt that the advent of the British and later regionalization put Ndi-Igbo at the helm of affairs in Eastern Nigeria. This brought Ndi-Igbo into Ikwerre land. In course of time, the Igbo took advantage of their position in the then Eastern Regional Government to grab land in Ikwerre and occupy political positions. In the process, Ikwerre along with other minority groups were marginalized and driven to the background.”
Professor Godwin Tasie noted that in 1913 the Rt Rev Herbert Tugwell, the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, undertook an experimentation tour of Ikwerre towns and villages assumed to be Ibo-speaking to test the Union Ibo Bible Nso being introduced in Iboland. “Tugwell discovered from the tests he carried out that although the Ikwerre were often regarded as Ibo… the Union Ibo Bible translation, surprisingly, was not easily understood by the Ikwerre.” This is obviously why Igbo vernacular was compulsorily introduced and taught in all schools in Ikwerre land before the Nigerian Civil War to the assimilation (i.e. destruction) of the Ikwere language.
This also obviously led to the Rumuomasi Declaration in 1965. ” … in their meeting at Rumuomasi in 1965 the Ikwerre had, under the umbrella of a highly promising new body that was to get the Ikwerre together as a people of new and clearer vision, they had declared themselves as a people of the distinct identity of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality – not Ibo, not Ijo, not anything else but Ikwerre, Iwhnurọhna. This was the historic Rumuomasi Declaration of 1965 (G.O.M. Tasie, 2000).
The full implication is that Ikwere people began to assert themselves forcefully as an ethnic nationality of their own and not Ibos or Ijos, and efforts were made to revert to the original Ikwere names for families, villages, communities and landmarks. For instance, there was the change from Umuola to Rumuola, Umuoro to Rumuoro , Umukrushi to Rumuokwurusi, just to name a few.
Anu Meka, Dieli !! Nderiya mma, Oyoyo !!! Rumuwnem Anu Meka!! Nde Wem rishim duru eli !!! Ikwerre bu otu o!!
#IkwerreHistory
Post by Dah Presh The admin Proudly Ikwerrian TV and Beauty Of All Ikwerre
I dedicate this thread to poet Moris Tenor of Africa the man who sang "Ali ikwerre sogbulen'me" his other song Omuwenem tenya tenya has been fulfilled after the emergence of CRA is a governor
Nobody declare and assert an ethnic nationality for himself. Ethnicities are classified using certain yardsticks. You can decide your country, your state, your zone etc but it's not within your powers to decide your ethnicity.
Austria has never had anything to do with Germany throughout history. While Germany was formeless without any recognized political leadership, Austria already joined the empire of Hungary. Austria and Hungary was together throughout history. But, Austria was classified as a German ethnicity. They don't want to be part of Germany as a country. They had historical ties with Hungarian empire and nothing with Germany, yet, they were classified as a German tribe. So why don't we have Austria claiming "Austrian ethnic group". Austria has never subjected their German ethnicity any debate despite not liking the country of Germany because it's stvpid to do so. Ethnicity is beyond your power to decide for yourself. Linguistics and Anthropological factors decide ethnicities. Not history, not political choices, etc. If your ancestors came from Benin, good for you. Other Igbos also have their ancestors coming from different places. An Ethnic group are not bound by blood relationship or one government. An Ethnic group is a group of different tribes related by language and culture and geographical contiguity. The only way ikwerre can become an ethnicity is to eradicate all igbo cultural practices and languages. To corrupt igbo spelling is not enough, the meaning remain the same.
Ogene001: Nobody declare and assert an ethnic nationality for himself. Ethnicities are classified using certain yardsticks. You can decide your country, your state, your zone etc but it's not within your powers to decide your ethnicity.
Austria has never had anything to do with Germany throughout history. While Germany was formeless without any recognized political leadership, Austria already joined the empire of Hungary. Austria and Hungary was together throughout history. But, Austria was classified as a German ethnicity. They don't want to be part of Germany as a country. They had historical ties with Hungarian empire and nothing with Germany, yet, they were classified as a German tribe. So why don't we have Austria claiming "Austrian ethnic group". Austria has never subjected their German ethnicity any debate despite not liking the country of Germany because it's stvpid to do so. Ethnicity is beyond your power to decide for yourself. Linguistics and Anthropological factors decide ethnicities. Not history, not political choices, etc. If your ancestors came from Benin, good for you. Other Igbos also have their ancestors coming from different places. An Ethnic group are not bound by blood relationship or one government. An Ethnic group is a group of different tribes related by language and culture and geographical contiguity. The only way ikwerre can become an ethnicity is to eradicate all igbo cultural practices and languages. To corrupt igbo spelling is not enough, the meaning remain the same.
Even this narrative of Benin ancestry have a couple of variations:
👉The first version suggests that Ikwerre was the third son of Akalaka (which is still an Igbo name), the father of Ogba and Ekpeye who migrated from an area in the multi ethnic Benin empire in the 15th century. It is said that Iwhuruohna, the progenitor of the Ikwerre, had seven sons which became the Ikwerre asa.
👉Another version holds that Akalaka migrated with Ochichi who settled at Elele and was the father of Elele, Isiokpo, Egbeda and Omerelu. This Benin theory was rejected by many Ikwerre who are of the opinion that the Ikwerre did not migrate from Benin or descend from one progenitor. The Ikwerre are far larger than the Ogba and Ekpeye groups.
👉The Akalaka legend originally mentioned the Ogba and Ekpeye as the only descendants of Akalaka; the inclusion of Ikwerre has gained ground as of recent time. Ikwerre people do not share any linguistic or cultural grounds with Benin people.
👉The assumption of Benin origin of Ikwerre could also be traced to the wars and raids of the Aboh kingdom on Ogba land; with the help of the Benin officers which triggered a migration of Ogba and Ekpeye people into what is today's Ikwerre land. These people met existing communities there. Rumuekpe, Ibaa, Ndele and the Odegu clan are communities that could have possibly be founded by this migration. A section of Obio clan is said to have migrated from the Aboh (Ukwuani) area of Delta state which was under the influence of the Benin Empire in the 16th century.
I guess it's a case of choose your poison. Personally, I adopt the simplistic assumption that they are Igbo subgroups. They bear Igbo names (to an extent) and I can understand their language (to an extent.) Duncan Mighty is Ikwerre but I understand his songs. Remove the initial 'R' from a number of their places and you have pure Igbo names for places.
DesChyko: Even this narrative of Benin ancestry have a couple of variations:
👉The first version suggests that Ikwerre was the third son of Akalaka (which is still an Igbo name), the father of Ogba and Ekpeye who migrated from an area in the multi ethnic Benin empire in the 15th century. It is said that Iwhuruohna, the progenitor of the Ikwerre, had seven sons which became the Ikwerre asa.
👉Another version holds that Akalaka migrated with Ochichi who settled at Elele and was the father of Elele, Isiokpo, Egbeda and Omerelu. This Benin theory was rejected by many Ikwerre who are of the opinion that the Ikwerre did not migrate from Benin or descend from one progenitor. The Ikwerre are far larger than the Ogba and Ekpeye groups.
👉The Akalaka legend originally mentioned the Ogba and Ekpeye as the only descendants of Akalaka; the inclusion of Ikwerre has gained ground as of recent time. Ikwerre people do not share any linguistic or cultural grounds with Benin people.
👉The assumption of Benin origin of Ikwerre could also be traced to the wars and raids of the Aboh kingdom on Ogba land; with the help of the Benin officers which triggered a migration of Ogba and Ekpeye people into what is today's Ikwerre land. These people met existing communities there. Rumuekpe, Ibaa, Ndele and the Odegu clan are communities that could have possibly be founded by this migration. A section of Obio clan is said to have migrated from the Aboh (Ukwuani) area of Delta state which was under the influence of the Benin Empire in the 16th century.
I guess it's a case of choose your poison. Personally, I adopt the simplistic assumption that they are Igbo subgroups. They bear Igbo names (to an extent) and I can understand their language (to an extent.) Duncan Mighty is Ikwerre but I understand his songs. Remove the initial 'R' from a number of their places and you have pure Igbo names for places.
The "R" factor is restricted to Obio/Akpor local government and changes nothing, it's just normal in different dialects. Ikwerre LGA have many communities bearing "umu"
Also note, writing name of communities in their dialects instead of general igbo doesn't create new ethnic group. Most towns in SE are written differently from how its pronounced in the dialects of those communities. If they decide to start writing it in their dialects in changes nothing about their ethnicity. Eg. Abiriba is actually Ebiriba Afikpo is actually Ehugbo
Pic 1: Obio/Akpor axis with their "Rumu" Other pics : the rest of Rivers State with numerous "umu" bearing communities
Ogene001: Nobody declare and assert an ethnic nationality for himself. Ethnicities are classified using certain yardsticks. You can decide your country, your state, your zone etc but it's not within your powers to decide your ethnicity.
Austria has never had anything to do with Germany throughout history. While Germany was formeless without any recognized political leadership, Austria already joined the empire of Hungary. Austria and Hungary was together throughout history. But, Austria was classified as a German ethnicity. They don't want to be part of Germany as a country. They had historical ties with Hungarian empire and nothing with Germany, yet, they were classified as a German tribe. So why don't we have Austria claiming "Austrian ethnic group". Austria has never subjected their German ethnicity any debate despite not liking the country of Germany because it's stvpid to do so. Ethnicity is beyond your power to decide for yourself. Linguistics and Anthropological factors decide ethnicities. Not history, not political choices, etc. If your ancestors came from Benin, good for you. Other Igbos also have their ancestors coming from different places. An Ethnic group are not bound by blood relationship or one government. An Ethnic group is a group of different tribes related by language and culture and geographical contiguity. The only way ikwerre can become an ethnicity is to eradicate all igbo cultural practices and languages. To corrupt igbo spelling is not enough, the meaning remain the same.
Bros............take a digital handshake, in fact i doff my hat for you.......you too much! Your assertion was concise as it was precise! Please educate the funtional illiterates that populate nairaland! Ndigbo are largely republican and will definitely not provoke if Ikwerres want to even join the zulus politically but to twist history and facts is what really gores.................
Ikwere people are Yoruba people just like Benin people are yorubas.
Case close.
If Benins are said to be yorubas and ikwere people are Benin,I don't see why they aren't yorubas.
Those of them that are yorubas should remove Igbo names on their names or at least corrupt it very well, Adding R in front or one letter is not enough.
You can be speaking Igbo language no problem with that.
Bros............take a digital handshake, in fact i doff my hat for you.......you too much! Your assertion was concise as it was precise! Please educate the funtional illiterates that populate nairaland! Ndigbo are largely republican and will definitely not provoke if Ikwerres want to even join the zulus politically but to twist history and facts is what really gores.................
The Igalas have blood ties with northern part of Anambra and Nsukka axis, Ibibio have ties with Arochukwu axis, Tiv with some parts of Ebonyi, Benin with parts of Delta and Anambra. Ikwerre likely with Ijaw (their Benin claim is strange and not verifiable)
Even in yorubaland, Ife and Benin have historical relationship same with Lagos and Benin. Oyo have links with fulani and Nupe. Ijebu is claiming to come from Borno, some Lagos villages are claiming to come from Nupe
Ikwerre are not the only igbo subgroup with historical ties outside Igboland, so their gibberish history is of no use, that's not what defines an ethnic group
Ikaeniyan0: Stop derailing the OP thread with your unnecessary pictures jawe.
Back to the topic. The Ikwerres are really proud of their Benin history
There are many Igbo towns with well known and verifiable "Benin history" and ikwerre is not part of them. Also note that so call "Benin history" has nothing to do with their igbo ethnicity. Oguta in Imo, Osomala, Onitsha, Ozubulu, Orifite in Anambra all have clear history of Benin returnees joining them. So the ikwerre Benin story is useless, though it's fake but even if true it's still useless
There are many Igbo towns with well known and verifiable "Benin history" and ikwerre is not part of them. Also note that so call "Benin history" has nothing to do with their igbo ethnicity. Oguta in Imo, Osomala, Onitsha, Ozubulu, Orifite in Anambra all have clear history of Benin returnees joining them. So the ikwerre Benin story is useless, though it's fake but even if true it's still useless
You're not an ikwerre, stop speaking on behalf of the Ikwerres. This is the same way IPOB pigs were behaving rudely in oyigbo before they were massacred.
Wike said boldly live on TV that he's not an Igbo man but an Ikwerre. No king from Ikwerre land challenged him neither do the Ikwerres drag Wike because they know they are not igbos
It's Igbos like you that love attaching yourselves to the Ikwerres
There are many Igbo towns with well known and verifiable "Benin history" and ikwerre is not part of them. Also note that so call "Benin history" has nothing to do with their igbo ethnicity. Oguta in Imo, Osomala, Onitsha, Ozubulu, Orifite in Anambra all have clear history of Benin returnees joining them. So the ikwerre Benin story is useless, though it's fake but even if true it's still useless
Pressure has continued to mount on the Pan-Igbo group, Ohaneze Ndigbo to shelve its plan to hold the 2017 Igbo Day in Rivers state.
This time the Youth Wing of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council has petitioned the Inspector General of Police IBRAHIM IDRIS urging him not to approve Rivers state as the venue for the Igbo Day celebration.
The council in a statement jointly signed by the President EZE MILLER and the Secretary, LAWRENCE IBIAYEMIE said the choice of Port Harcourt against any other city is offensive.
MILLER said the September date for the event is also a wrong timing following on-going developments in the South East region.
The Council also called on the management of the University of Port Harcourt not to allow Ohaneze use their facilities for the celebration.
Our correspondent reports the River State of Police Command, the DSS, Civil Defence Corps and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt were copied in the petition.
Meanwhile; the Secretary General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, UCHE OKWUKWU has maintained that the Igbo Day poses no threat to Rivers state.
Wike is an Ikwerre man, till today, he has not denied who he is, a proud ikwerre man.
Ikwerre is not Igbo. It's because of you igbos arrogance the Ikwerres will never allow you igbos celebrate any Igbo festival in any part of Ikwerre land.
In 2017 when Ohaneze wanted to hold Igbo day celebration in PH, the Ikwerres rejected the celebration on any part of Ikwerre land, they told your people to carry Igbo day celebration to Igbo land in the landlock south east
Ikaeniyan0: You're not an ikwerre, stop speaking on behalf of the Ikwerres. This is the same way IPOB pigs were behaving rudely in oyigbo before they were massacred.
Wike said boldly live on TV that he's not an Igbo man but an Ikwerre. No king from Ikwerre land challenged him neither do the Ikwerres drag Wike because they know they are not igbos
It's Igbos like you that love attaching yourselves to the Ikwerres
I hope you know oyigbo is not ikwerre. You are just talking like typical ignorant yorubaman who thinks all igbo groups in Rivers are ikwerre. Even within in Ikwerre Wike's Obio/Akpor are fake. They the fake igbos within ikwerre. They are ones ones who pronounce Umu as Rumu. The real ikwerre in Ikwerre LGA are pure Igbos, it's those fake inferior Obio/Akpor miscreants that make too much noise, dragging other Igbos in Rivers state
Wike is an Ikwerre man, till today, he has not denied who he is, a proud ikwerre man.
Ikwerre is not Igbo. It's because of you igbos arrogance the Ikwerres will never allow you igbos celebrate any Igbo festival in any part of Ikwerre land.
In 2017 when Ohaneze wanted to hold Igbo day celebration in PH, the Ikwerres rejected the celebration on any part of Ikwerre land, they told your people to carry Igbo day celebration to Igbo land in the landlock south east
You are very phoolish. PH is Ijawland. Ikwerre doesn't own PH, they don't have much oil, they don't have access to the sea. Ikwerre land is of no strategic importance to Igbos. Ikwerre are the ones attached themselves to other Igbos groups in Rivers State. They are trying hard to upgrade their sense of importance by being too loud about igbo denial as if anybody gives a fvck about them
Ikaeniyan0: Pressure has continued to mount on the Pan-Igbo group, Ohaneze Ndigbo to shelve its plan to hold the 2017 Igbo Day in Rivers state.
This time the Youth Wing of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council has petitioned the Inspector General of Police IBRAHIM IDRIS urging him not to approve Rivers state as the venue for the Igbo Day celebration.
The council in a statement jointly signed by the President EZE MILLER and the Secretary, LAWRENCE IBIAYEMIE said the choice of Port Harcourt against any other city is offensive.
MILLER said the September date for the event is also a wrong timing following on-going developments in the South East region.
The Council also called on the management of the University of Port Harcourt not to allow Ohaneze use their facilities for the celebration.
Our correspondent reports the River State of Police Command, the DSS, Civil Defence Corps and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt were copied in the petition.
Meanwhile; the Secretary General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, UCHE OKWUKWU has maintained that the Igbo Day poses no threat to Rivers state.
Do you have sense at all? Rivers State is not entirely igbo and the move to stop igbo day celebration is raised by all ethnic groups in Rivers. How does this relate with the topic? Igbo groups in Rivers are well represented in Ohaneze
Do you have sense at all? Rivers State is not entirely igbo and the move to stop igbo day celebration is raised by all ethnic groups in Rivers. How does this relate with the topic? Igbo groups in Rivers are well represented in Ohaneze
