Abagworo:
I read recently a debate about Ikwerre ethnic group originating from Benin and in that process someone mentioned Ekpeye and Ogba as being brothers with Ikwerre even though that was a recent hypothesis based on the tradition of origin of Ekpeye and Ogba which stated that Akalaka their common ancestor had a third son whose whereabouts was unknown. Some Ikwerre 3rd columnists therefore tried to claim Ihuruoha as that lost son in order to justify a recently conceived story of Benin origin.

Back to the topic of the day here is history of Ekpeye as written by Usama Ekpeye the Ekpeye cultural organization and my use of same to prove Crossriver Igbo ancestry.


EKPEYE IS NOT IGBO.

There is no need for too much debate as I refer you all to www.usama-ekpeye.org for a very short history of Ekpeye people.

Ekpeye and Ogba are brothers and have their origins from Benin.

Unless someone can proof this historical origin of the Ancestors of Francis Ellah and Chibudom Nwuche to be wrong, or proof that the Oba of Benin or his Ancestors are Igbos, then please let it be clear to all that Ekpeye and Ogba people are not Igbos.

Ekpeye has it's distinct dialect that cannot be mistaken for any variant of the Igbo language. For example, God in Igbo is Chineke but in Ekpeye it is Ebilikpabi.

Some Ekpeye people may understand and speak Igbo or even bear some Igbo names, but that is mainly because a lot of Igbo people lived in Ahoada/Ekpeyeland and still do till this day. For example, half of my father's compound in Ahoada town was occupied by Igbo tenants and thus the interaction was intense and so was the culture mix; but that does not mean that Ahoada people are Igbos.

Furthermore, as Emeka Okala already stated, during the Eastern Region era, the Igbo language was taught at schools and at Sunday schools to the extent that in the main church in Ahoada - St. Paul's Church Ahoada (now Cathedral), sermons were usually interpreted in Igbo and beside the English Hymns Ancient and Modern, we also had the Igbo prayer and song book - 'Ekpere Na Abu' .

Also, although some Ekpeye names may sound like Igbo names, they do not always have the same meaning. For example, my family name Echikwa to an Igbo man means 'Tomorrow too' but in Ekpeye, its meaning is 'Do not pursue'.

However, the Ekpeye people are always very welcoming and will welcome our Igbo friends at anytime.

While we discuss Ekpeye people, let me also use this opportunity to extend our warm invitation to all to attend USAMA EKPEYE's 8th Annual Convention and fund raising gala night taking place at Jackson, Tennessee

Ekpeye was the first of the three sons of Akalaka who migrated from Benin Kingdom in the 15th Century. He was born in Benin (Edo) and married a Benin girl called Iyavaeme. He lived permanently at their last settlement (Olube) now called Ula-Ubie.

At Ulobe, his wife bore him four male children namely Ubie, Akoh, Okobo and Upata. As the first son of a great general, Ubie was brought up also as a warrior, a brave hunter, a notorious herbalist, a farmer, a trader, a juju priest and all other attributes of a great man. He was the Nye-so-eja-eleof Ulobe and the chief priest of his father, Akalaka shrine Ogbolo now Ogbolo-Imaji brought from Benin.



1 The name Ekpeye is also Ekpafia or Ekpa afia which translates to bush bag. The Igbos further in call them "Akpa ofia" or "Akpa Ohia".

2 The name Ogba is extremely common in Crossriver Igbo and it means hunter. The name Akalaka is a common title in Crossriver Igbo and means destiny. By Crossriver Igbo I mean Igbos living by the bank of Crossriver in Abia and Ebonyi States. Example include Afikpo, Arochukwu, Abiriba, Abam and Ohafia.

3 In a bid to proclaim a difference with Igbo the author tried to claim Igbos called God Chineke whereas Ekpeye called God Ebilikpabi but that's a wrong claim. Igbos originally called God Orisa, Olisa, Olise, Orise and also shortened it to Osa or Ose at times which makes the original Igbo name for God identical to Bini but Ekpeye originating from Crossriver made use of the God there known as Chukwu or Ubiniukpabi. Chineke was adopted by Christians and used across Igboland including Ekpeye. The origin of the God Chineke is Oboama/Umunama Mbaise. Common names used for God in Igbo which people also bear as surname are Orisa, Chineke, Ukpabi, Obasi, Igwe, Amadi and Chukwu. Ukpabi, Obasi and Chukwu originate from Crossriver Igbo whereas Igwekala and Amadioha were established by Crossriver Igbos at Ozuzu Etche and Umunoha Mbaitoli.

The aim of this thread is to enlighten people on clarify some controversy in recent miseducation of new generation

All these Igbo wahala... Make people rest abeg. Everything Igbo, Igbo... Na was o

dre11:


SOURCE

I thought they did not support ASUU, now they've seen IPPIS in action.

PAGAN9JA:


Okay thanks much. Did you reseearch online or your
Local area?

My brother, I don't think he did anything. Leave am... I don't think it's Ijebu too if you ask me.

Ojiofor:


Both Bonny and Opobo was originally Igbo town but yadiba.Na civil war make Oba of Bini come dey play for our backyard.

God forgive you

AnonPoet:


https://leaders.ng/%ef%bb%bfnddc-invites-president-mbuhari-to-commission-signature-project/

Which one is Ogba Nembe road? Correct yourself. It is Ogbia - Nembe road.

Emilokoiyawon:


flogging women for twerking? What kind of weak god is intimidated by twerking?

is this all you can say Then you don't even understand what you read.

AdejorLawrence:
Ogoni

Ogoni is a little bit costly (Not general though) for me.

NockMedia:

Whenever a lady tries to get violent with you as a guy, the best thing to do is to walk away from the heat of the moment.

Whenever the man is trying to get violent, the lady should do the same. Afterall na gender equality Dem call am...

AdejorLawrence:
Please what's the cost of traditional marrige in Rivers State..

Their culture and how they do their marrage.

Please share if you have details.
Thanks.

Is Rivers State an ethnic group? Which kind question be this? Rivers state is a heterogeneous state. Pls. Don't come and spread ignorance here.

I support "Electricity" not "power" because we can have different forms of power.

Must everything be tied to Igbo? Haba!