₦airaland Forum

This is now relived okayed!

Mabuggi88:
So why are majority of the ikweres deny coming from Benin. It shows your story maybe false narrative

You don’t know what you’re saying

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENsopUqW32o?feature=shared

The Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality Located in Rivers State, Niger Delta region of Nigeria cut across:
Port Harcourt City, Obio/Apkor, Ikwerre and Emohua LGAs of Rivers State.

The Ikwerre people speak the Ikwerre Language with over 27 major dialects across its Kingdoms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENsopUqW32o?feature=shared

The Great Benin Kingdom, renowned across the forests and coasts of West Africa, Benin was a center of military power, artistry and civilization ruled by great kings known as Oba.

Among the brave soldiers who served the Oba with bravery and courage, stood a man of noble birth called Akalaka, born in Ogbe-Alaka, one of the ancient quarters of the Great Benin Kingdom.

His sister, a noble lady of grace and wisdom, served among the women of the Oba’s palace — chosen, as was the custom from the kingdom’s finest families.

Akalaka was not just any warrior; he was a trusted general, and among the armies of the royal palace of Great Benin Kingdom.

But during the reign of Oba Ewarre, a storm brewed within the kingdom. The Oba’s rise to power came through blood, a violent coup against his brother Uwaifiokun, plunging Benin into a civil war. The city burned, and suspicion ran deep.

The Oba, uneasy and suspicious, believed that some of his warriors in the royal palace had conspired against him. Among those accused was Akalaka. His sister, upon hearing of the plot to destroy him, secretly warned her brother of the danger that awaited

Knowing the wrath of the Oba was death, Akalaka fled the kingdom, taking with him his brothers, kin, and loyal followers.

And this began one of the most defining, migrations, in the history of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Akalaka’s journey led him southward — through forests and rivers — until he reached Ndoni, where he found refuge and took a second wife sealing friendship with the people. But his journey did not end there.

From Ndoni, he and his family followed the great River Niger and later, the Orashi River, finally settling at Erema. There, the once-great general who lead his people to a new beginning grew old and passed on — leaving behind a legacy that would shape generations.

From the lineage of Akalaka Family, came three proud nations — the Ekpeye, the Ogba and the Ikwerre.

The Ekpeye people moved inland through the creeks and founded Ula-Ubie where they made their home.

The Ogba people journeyed northward and established Ohiakwo.

And the Ikwerre people, traditionally known as Iwhuruohna, crossed the Sombreiro River and settled at Elele where they made their first home.

The existence of Elele community in both Ikwerre land and in Benin Kingdom (Edo) is a strong cultural echo reflecting the Ikwerre migration from the Ancient Benin Kingdom.

Elele Kingdom, the cradle of the Ikwerre Nation is traditionally known as, “Elele Okini-ali”, meaning - the oldest land, the first place of abode.
-
It was here the early Ikwerre ancestors settled, before spreading outward establishing towns, villages, and kingdoms across Ikwerre land.
-
Today, the Ikwerre people, proudly known as Iwhuruọhna, from a humble beginning, have emerged as a dominant socio-cultural and economic force in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

A people whose voice now echoes in politics, industry, and culture, stretching across Port Harcourt City, Emohua, Obio/Akpor, and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

From the royal walls of the Great Benin Kingdom, to the flowing waters of the Niger Delta, the story of Ikwerre is a story of courage, survival, destiny and a living testament of greatness.

Emexicoman:
Firstly I blame the people try to convince you're Igbo

I'm from Bende LGA in Abia state, if I write or speak my native tongue to a normal Igbo person it will be like I'm speaking Chinese. But if an Igbo person listens gently and picks he'll hear and understand. That's why we have central Igbo. Abiriba, Ohafia, Ngwa, Mbaise etc sub dialects in Igbo land but we all know we're Igbo.

No be only Chinese! 😂😂😂

Oga interpret the language you claim is Igbo, why are you disgracing yourself??

oglalasioux:
You’ve obviously not heard any Ebonyi Igbo dialects. The Ezza dialect alone will make you think Ebonyi state is not an Igbo state. If the Ikwerres say they are not Igbos then they should be left alone. As for their language, that’s Igbo, bro.

Leave king story, interpret the language you claim is Igbo? Wahala

I use to see where igbos say Ikwerre is speaking Igbo that is why I want Igbo person to help translate it:

Note: Ikwerre is a language with over 35 dialects.

No insults or hate!

The Ikwerre migration from Benin Kingdom.

The Great Benin Kingdom, renowned across the forests and coasts of West Africa, Benin was a center of military power, artistry and civilization ruled by great kings known as Oba.

Among the brave soldiers who served the Oba with bravery and courage, stood a man of noble birth called Akalaka, born in Ogbe-Alaka one of the ancient quarters of the Great Benin Kingdom.

His sister, a noble lady of grace and wisdom, served among the women of the Oba’s palace — chosen, as was the custom from the kingdom’s finest families.

Akalaka was not just any warrior; he was a trusted general, and among those close to the Oba himself.

But during the reign of Oba Ewarre, a storm brewed within the kingdom. The Oba’s rise to power came through blood — a violent coup against his brother Uwaifiokun, plunging Benin into civil war. The city burned, and suspicion ran deep.

The Oba, restless and fearful believed that some of his closest men had conspired against him. Among those accused was Akalaka. His sister, upon hearing of the plot to destroy him, secretly warned her brother of the danger that awaited.

Knowing the wrath of the Oba was death, Akalaka fled the kingdom, taking with him his brothers, kin, and loyal followers.

And this began one of the most defining, migrations, in the history of the Niger Delta.

Akalaka’s journey led him southward — through forests and rivers — until he reached Ndoni, where he found refuge and took a second wife sealing friendship with the people. But his journey did not end there.

From Ndoni, he and his family followed the great River Niger and later, the Orashi River, finally settling at Erema. There, the once-great general grew old and passed on — leaving behind a legacy that would shape generations.

From the lineage of Akalaka Family, came three proud nations — the Ekpeye, the Ogba and the Ikwerre.

The Ekpeye people moved inland through the creeks and founded Ula-Ubie.

The Ogba people journeyed northward and established Ohiakwo.

And the Ikwerre people, traditionally known as Iwhuruohna, crossed the Sombreiro River and founded Elele.

The existence of Elele community in both Ikwerre land and in Benin (Edo) is a strong cultural echo of the Ikwerre migration from the Ancient Benin Kingdom.

Elele Kingdom, the cradle of Ikwerre Nation is traditionally known as, “Elele Okini-ali”, meaning - the oldest ancestral land of abode.
-
It was here the early Ikwerre ancestors settled, before spreading outward establishing towns, villages, and kingdoms across Ikwerre land.
-
Today, the Ikwerre people, proudly known as Iwhuruọhna, from a humble beginning, have emerged as a dominant socio-cultural and economic force in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. A people whose voice now echoes in politics, industry, and culture, stretching across Port Harcourt City, Emohua, Obio/Akpor, and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

From the royal walls of Benin, to the flowing waters of the Niger Delta, the story of Ikwerre is a story of courage, survival, destiny and a living testament of greatness.

Cc: Ikwerre people.

Benin, Ikwerre, Ekpeye and Ogba 4 Market days culture.

1. Benin: Eken • Orie • Okuo • Aho
2. Ikwerre: Eke • Urie • Nkuo • Ahu
3. Ekpeye: Eke • Udhie • Eho • Izu
4. Ogba: Nso • Nkwo • Aho

Do you know that the four-day market cycle is an ancient tradition of the Benin Kingdom and the Ikwerre, Ekpeye, and Ogba peoples?

History has that Ikwerre, Ekpeye and Ogba have their origin from the Ancient Benin Kingdom.

I saw this image and I thought I should share it for our Igbo brothers to confirm it.

I only know about the Ibibio long juju that was adopted by Aro-Igbos (Arochukwu) due to their interaction with the Ibibio over the years.


IGBO DEITIES & THEIR ORIGINS
Understanding the roots of major deities and shrines

IKENGA
• Origin: Benin Kingdom
• Meaning: From Iken (Power) and Ga (to worship)
• Role: A personal altar of power, success

⸻

AMADIOHA
• Origin: Ekpeye land
• Meaning: From Ama (thunder) and Dioha (the community) → God of thunder
• Role: Spirit of justice, authority, bravery, and lightning

⸻

IBINI UKPABI
• Origin: Ibibio (Long Juju)
• Meaning: Ancient oracle borrowed and adapted by Aro-Igbo (Arochukwu)
• Role: Shrine of justice, spiritual consultation, and regional influence

| English | Ikwerre | Edo |
|:-----------|:---------------|:-----------------|
| Amen | Isee | Isee |
| Ancestral staff | Owho | Ukhure-Oho |
| Arrival | Iyale | Iyare |
| Basket | Atete | Ekete |
| Bush | Ohia | Oha |
| Chair | Agada | Aga |
| Children | Omu | Omo |
| Come | Vaa | Vare |
| Corn | Okpa | Oka |
| Dance | Eri-Iku | Iku-nede |
| Die | Wu | Wu |
| Dog | Nkita | Ekita |
| Drink | Wno | Wo |
| East | Ekne | Eken |
| Eat | Rie | Rrie |
| Elephant | Eni | Eni |
| Fall | Dna | Da |
| For | Ni | Ni |
| Forest | Igbo | Egbo |
| Fowl | Okhuku | Okhoko |
| Go | La | La |
| Goat | Ewu | Ewe |
| Good | Oma | Oma |
| Goodluck | Ruhuoma | Uhunoma |
| Have | Mwem | Mwen |
| Jaw | Abna | Agba |
| Knife | Eleke | Ebeke |
| Lion | Odum | Oduma |
| Long Dress | Awuru | Awulu |
| Masquerade | Ekpo | Ekpo |
| Me | Mé | Mé |
| Money | Iwai | Igho |
| Mortar | Odo | Odo |
| Mouth | Onu | Unu |
| North | Nkuo | Okuo |
| Plate | Ongba | Okpan |
| Rope | Erri | Irri |
| Share | Okema | Okemi |
| Soul | Ehnine | Ehi |
| South | Awho | Aho |
| Stretch | Do | Do |
| Supreme | Adah | Ada |
| To Agree | Ikwu | Ikue |
| War | Ogwu | Ogun |
| West | Urie | Orrie |
| Will | Gha | Gha |



## English | Ikwerre | Urhobo
|:----------|:----------|:---------|
| Jaw | Abna | Egba |
| Corn | Okpa | Oka |
| Die | Wu | Ghwu |
| Me | Mé | Mé |
| Eat | Rie | Re |
| Forest | Igbo | Egbo |
| Bush | Ohia | Oghwo |
| Mortar | Odo | Odo |
| Soul | Ehnine | Ehi |
| Good | Oma | Yoma |
| Money | Iwai | Igho |
| Children | Omu | Emo |
| Mouth | Onu | Unu |
| Amen | Isee | Isee |
| Chair | Agada | Agbara |
| Elephant | Eni | Eni |
| Rope | Erri | Efi |
| Basket | Ekete | Akpere

Mabuggi88:
Carry your untrue story pack one side. In my Village Afikpo in Ebonyi state which is not close to your ikwere or your ekpeye or ozuzu Etchie. The name Amadi is an ancestral name as old as the beginning of that village(you should know what that means). And it doesn't mean powerful, authority or bravery as you claimed here, in our dialect, it means Fine or something Nice
Amadi is a general name meaning different things to different villages not even tribes. Ikwere go, Benin come

If you igbos can claim “Ikenga” from Benin
Is it Amadi that you won’t claim from us?

Among the Ikwerre people, the name Amadi was associated with vigilante leaders of old, reflecting their unmatched bravery and fearlessness.

The deity “Amadioha” god of thunder which originated from Ekpeye land symbolizes power, authority, and bravery in delivering justice through the sound of thunder (Ama) and lightning.

Just like the Benin name “Osakwe” has been adopted by some Igbo people today, the Ikwerre name “Amadi” has also spread to parts of Igbo communities.
This spread was facilitated through close proximity and cultural interaction, where the Amadioha deity was adopted by the Igbo’s through the Etche people (Ozuzu etche) who share a close boundary with the Igbo communities.

Ikwerre: Amadi
Benin: Amadin
Meaning: Brave and powerful!

HRM, Nyeweali of Elele Okiniali Ni Alimini Kingdom, King Marcus O. Woyike JP, officially performed the sacred eating of the 2025 Elele New Yam Festival Ritual.

With the King having eaten the new yam, the tradition is now open for all sons and daughters to partake.

Elele is located in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers state.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C5fN1aB9N/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Three (3) distinct ethnic groups with shared history, linguistic and culture.

AI just took HRM Ohna Princewill Wali Okporo the 1st, Nyeweli Mgbuesilaru, to the ancient times when spears, bowls and arrows were part of our everyday life.

Check thread:
https://www.nairaland.com/8450937/ai-transformation-ikwerre-traditional-ruler

AI technology just took HRM Ohna Princewill Wali Okporo the 1st, Nyeweli Mgbuesilaru, to the ancient times when spears, bowls and arrows were part of our everyday life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSg1xrSNnac?si=K5yhfEwFqe52LLsu

This is coming after Rotimi Amaechi clarified the reason why he identified as Igbo.

For something to be similar does it mean it’s the same Mugu hahahah

Are there no tribes with similarities in Nigeria?

Is Igala Yoruba Lol

Amaechi don deny Ana! 😂😂😂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdiS9CrmHic?si=tiZyuIYSJM0PImMe

Each color ranging from “white,green,purple, etc represents the Ethnic groups In the state.

mariovito:
Most of these words are same with igbo

Igbo’s are a nomadic tribe who had contact with Ikwerre and lived among them via trading and as a result Igbo’s borrowed some of these Ancient Benin words from the Ikwerres.

Ikwerre have no history of migration to or from Igbo land. Don’t forget even till date It is the igbos you find migrating to other ethnic regions that is why you see Igbo’s sharing some similar cultural attires and words with all their neighbors like Igala, Ikwerre, Ibibio, Idoma & Ika.

The Ikwerre and Edo languages share some similarities due to historical connections, with Ikwerre traditions tracing it’s migration from the ancient Benin Empire (where Edo is spoken), leading to a noticeable lexical overlap, particularly in basic vocabulary and cultural terms; however, while related, they are distinct languages with their own unique grammatical structures.

A few list of Ikwerre and Edo Language Similarities cut across its various dialects of the both languages.

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 ——-—- 𝐈𝐤𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞 ————-- 𝐄𝐝𝐨

𝖩𝖺𝗐 —————— 𝖠𝖻𝗇𝖺 —————-- 𝖠𝗀𝖻𝖺

𝖦𝗈𝗈𝖽 ———-—— 𝖮𝗆𝖺 —————— 𝖮𝗆𝖺

𝖶𝖺𝗋 —————— 𝖮𝗀𝗇𝗎 —————— 𝖮𝗀𝗎𝗇

𝖣𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 ————— 𝖤𝗋𝗂-𝖨𝗄𝗎 —————— 𝖨𝗄𝗎-𝗇𝖾𝖽𝖾

𝖬𝖾 ——————— 𝖬𝖾𝗁 —————— 𝖬𝖾𝗁

𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗆 —————— 𝖵𝗁𝖾 —————— 𝖵𝗁𝖾𝗏𝗁𝖾

𝖳𝗈 𝖠𝗀𝗋𝖾𝖾 ——-—— 𝖨𝗄𝗐𝖾 —————— 𝖨𝗄𝗎𝖾

𝖣𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗄 —————— 𝖶𝗇𝗈 —————— 𝖶𝗈𝗇

𝖫𝗈𝗇𝗀 𝖽𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗌 ——-—- 𝖠𝗐𝗎𝗋𝗎 ————— 𝖠𝗐𝗎𝗅𝗎

𝖣𝗈𝗀 —————— 𝖶𝗈𝗇𝗄𝗂𝗍𝖺 —————— 𝖤𝗄𝗂𝗍𝖺

𝖧𝖾-𝖦𝗈𝖺𝗍 ————— 𝖮𝗐𝗎 —————— 𝖮𝗐𝗎𝗄𝗈

𝖣𝗂𝖾 —————-—— 𝖶𝗎 ——————— 𝖶𝗎

𝖪𝗇𝗂𝖿𝖾 —————— Eleke —————— Ebeke

𝖢𝗈𝗋𝗇 ————-—— 𝖮𝗄𝗉𝖺 ————-—— 𝖮𝗄𝖺

𝖳𝗈 𝖾𝖺𝗍 —————— 𝖱𝗋𝗂𝖾 ———-——— 𝖱𝗋𝗂𝖾

𝖥𝗈𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗍 —————— 𝖨𝗀𝖻𝗈 ————-—— 𝖤𝗀𝖻𝗈

𝖱𝗈𝗉𝖾 ————-—— 𝖤𝗋𝗋𝗂 —————--— 𝖨𝗋𝗋𝗂

𝖬𝗈𝗋𝗍𝖺𝗋 —————— 𝖮𝖽𝗈 —————— 𝖮𝖽𝗈

𝖢𝗈𝗆𝖾 ————-—— 𝖵𝖺𝖺 —————— 𝖵𝖺𝗋𝖾

𝖦𝗈 ————-——— 𝖫𝖺 ————-——— 𝖫𝖺

𝖥𝖺𝗅𝗅 ——————— 𝖣𝗇𝖺 ——————— 𝖣𝖺

𝖲𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖾 —————— 𝖮𝗄𝖾𝗆𝖺 —————— 𝖮𝗄𝖾𝗆𝗂

𝖲𝗍𝗋𝖾𝗍𝖼𝗁 —————— 𝖣𝗈 ——————— 𝖣𝗈

𝖶𝗂𝗅𝗅 ——————— 𝖦𝗁𝖺 ——————— 𝖦𝗁𝖺

𝖥𝗈𝗋 ——————-— 𝖭𝗂 ———————— 𝖭𝗂

𝖧𝖺𝗏𝖾 ———-——— 𝗆𝗐𝖾𝗆 —————— 𝗆𝗐𝖾𝗇

𝖫𝗂𝗈𝗇 ————-—— 𝖮𝖽𝗎𝗆 —————— 𝖮𝖽𝗎𝗆𝖺

𝖤𝗅𝖾𝗉𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗍 ————-— 𝖤𝗇𝗂 ——————— 𝖤𝗇𝗂

𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗂𝗋 —————— 𝖠𝗀𝖺𝖽𝖺 ——————— 𝖠𝗀𝖺

𝖯𝗅𝖺𝗍𝖾 ————-—— 𝖮𝗇𝗀𝖻𝖺 —————— 𝖮𝗄𝗉𝖺𝗇

𝖲𝗈𝗎𝗅 ———-—-—— 𝖤𝗁𝗇𝗂𝗇𝖾 —————— 𝖤𝗁𝗂

𝖬𝖺𝗌𝗊𝗎𝖾𝗋𝖺𝖽𝖾 ———— 𝖤𝗄𝗉𝗈 ——————— 𝖤𝗄𝗉𝗈

𝖥𝗈𝗐𝗅 ————-—-— 𝖮𝗄𝗁𝗎𝗄𝗎 —————— 𝖮𝗄𝗁𝗈𝗄𝗈

𝖦𝗈𝗈𝖽𝗅𝗎𝖼𝗄 ———— 𝖱𝗎𝗁𝗎𝗈𝗆𝖺 ————— 𝖴𝗁𝗎𝗇𝗈𝗆𝖺

𝖢𝗁𝗂𝗅𝖽𝗋𝖾𝗇 ————— 𝖮𝗆𝗎 ——————— 𝖮𝗆𝗈

𝖲𝗎𝗉𝗋𝖾𝗆𝖾 ————— 𝖠𝖽𝖺𝗁 ——————-- 𝖠𝖽𝖺

𝖠𝖿𝖿𝗂𝗋𝗆𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 ———-— 𝖨𝗌𝖾 ———————- 𝖨𝗌𝖾

𝖠𝗋𝗋𝗂𝗏𝖺𝗅 —————— 𝖨𝗒𝖺𝗅𝖾 ————-—— 𝖨𝗒𝖺𝗋𝖾

𝖠𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗅 ———-— 𝖮𝗐𝗁𝗈 —————— 𝖴𝗄𝗁𝗎𝗋𝖾-𝖮𝗁𝗈
𝖲𝗍𝖺𝖿𝖿

𝖬𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗒 —————— 𝖨𝗐𝖺𝗂 ——————— 𝖨𝗀𝗁𝗈

𝖤𝖺𝗌𝗍 ————-—-— 𝖤𝗄𝗇𝖾 —————-—— 𝖤𝗄𝖾𝗇

𝖶𝖾𝗌𝗍 —————-— 𝖴𝗋𝗂𝖾 —————-—— 𝖮𝗋𝗋𝗂𝖾

𝖭𝗈𝗋𝗍𝗁 —————— 𝖭𝗄𝗎𝗈 ——————— 𝖮𝗄𝗎𝗈

𝖲𝗈𝗎𝗍𝗁 —————— 𝖠𝗐𝗁𝗎 ——————— 𝖠𝗁𝗈

Note: The translations of: East, West, North and South are also known as “The 4 (four) market days culture” in both Benin and Ikwerre Land.

Photo: Ikwerre Nation with their flag at the Palace of the Oba of Benin to strengthen their close affinity and relationship with their ancestral home.

Iwhuruohna Kalam Anu Meka 💯✅🎈

Hh

Former governor Yahaya Bello and his successor, gov. Usman Ododo, pays a courtesy visit to the working minister, H.E Nyesom Wike, at his Abuja residence.

The Apex Socio-cultural Organization of the Ikwerre Ethnic group Warns Ohaneze Ndigbo, distance itself from the Ohaneze Presidency Election.

Reaffirms Ikwerre is a distinct Ethnic Nationality officially recognized as a separate group in Nigeria's 1999 Constitution as amended.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0WshxKKvXg?si=1QCz9LK4OP84atbK

VAT Generation between the South South & South East.

sageb:
You have countered his lies with facts.
Meka ooo

E clear my brother! 💯💯

Odingo1:
You can’t be speaking Igbo and be claiming Bini, saying you lost your Bini language to Igbo, that is laughable, just say that you people are denying been Igbo for political reasons.

Oga respect yourself, we speak Ikwerre Language which has over 20 dialects.

That Ikwerre and Igbo happen to share some similar words in both languages due to close boundary and trading does not give you the audacity to group our language as Igbo!

For your information: Igbo means “Forest” in Ikwerre Language and our Ikwerre Language or identity is not “Forest”! Plss!!! Hahahah

Note: Ikwerre and Igbo are not the only tribes that share some similar words in both languages In Nigeria and Across Africa and the world.

Stop trying to attach yourself to us, be proud of yourself, We Ikwerres are doing perfectly well!

To those Ipob Biafra twisting our history and giving an Igbotic meaning to “Akalaka” pls stop!!!

If you don’t know the origin of the word “Akalaka” just keep shut and learn!

Akalaka is a combination of two words:

Akalaka = Aka N’ Ogbe alaka (Ogbelaka in Benin)

N’ = From
Ogbe = Quarters
Alaka = A founder of good things.

I.e = Aka warrior from Ogbelaka in Igodomigodo present day Benin Kingdom.

Akalaka had three children: Ikwerre, Ekpeye and Ogba.

We Ikwerre, Ogba and Ekpeye are the Great Aka’s of Ancient Benin Kingdom.

Then the Benin’s where also known as; ‘Aka’ which the Urhobo people still call Benin till date.

Pa Idu the progenitor of Ancient Benin was born in Ogbelaka and had three Children: Aka, Efa, and Emehi

Akalaka (Aka) an Ancient Benin name signifies: Strength, Greatness and mighty.

This is why you have names like:
Alakalaka in Benin = meaning Greatness and mighty too.

Benin is not yesterday, it is called Ancient Kingdom for a reason and Ikwerre people are ancient people!

Respect our history Mr. Igbo Biafra attach by force migrant parasites!