₦airaland Forum

forgiveness:
I never wrote about beads.

What year did the itshekiri and Ijaws meet Oyinbo's?

Ihuomadinihu:
In the nearest future,we are going to have people fight and argue over who first met the White men and shook hands with them. Inferiority complex at its best. That you met the white men and engaged in commerce doesn't mean you owe anything. For goodness sake, no ethnic group owns any imported coral beads. They are called trade beads for a reason.

fratermathy:
Hello Nairalander! ,
Nigeria is a very rich cultural center. In fact, our diversity is one of our major strength as a nation. Although it has its own advantages and disadvantages, its advantages surpass the disadvantages. However, most Nigerians are content with just their own ethnic group and this is quite bad for true patriotism and good neighbourliness. Some Nigerians have never even seen people of other ethnic extractions! Others have little or no knowledge of other ethnic groups! Worse still, a few know nothing about their own culture and ethnic extraction. This has become a trend among the recent generation of Nigerians who embrace Western culture, religion and dressing.
This thread shall explore an aspect of our culture: DRESSING! I wont be able to discuss all the ethnic nationalities in the country due to constraints but some major ethnic groups across the geographical spread of Nigeria and how they dress will be underscored in this list.

1. Edo Nation
The Edo People occupy current Edo State. They are made up of the Binis, Afemais, Eshan, etc. They have a very rich cultural heritage. They are all headed by an Oba who delegates duties to various towns and villages through the Odionweres(Elders) and Enogies (Dukes). The Benin Kingdom is one of the oldest and culturally rich pre-colonial African Kingdom. Edo people are quite reclusive in nature. They are colorful and elegant. The use of beads is commonplace in Benin. It symbolises royalty and freedom.
www.nairaland.com/attachments/1278044_625535_506034929455284_1552838402_n_jpg5860e03913cfc8761c1692c7b0d3a890

2. Urhobo/Isoko Nation
The Urhobo/Isoko People are the major tribe in Delta State. They occupy Delta Central and Delta South. They are the 5th largest ethnic group in Nigeria, usually dragging position with the Ibibios. The Urhobo people have been grouped here with the Isoko people because of their cultural similarities. They dress traditionally in exactly the same way. The language is overtly similar and the people have same cultural traits. The Urhobo and Isoko people are migrants from Edo nation according to oral history. The people are ruled by an Ovie (King) with variations in appellations such as Orodje, Orosuen, Okobaro, Okpako, etc. The Ovie is seconded by an Otota (Spokesman) who is the traditional Prime Minister. The Otota is also called the "Unuevworo" in Uvwie-Urhobo Kingdom. Urhobo people love titles alot. In most ceremonies, people are announced as "Chief, Professor, Reverend Ovwigho Ogbejiriemu mni cna esq OFR". Urhobos do not have a penchant for hard work and they are known mainly for academic/mental feats. The Urhobo people usually dress by tying a Georgian Wrapper and wearing a Lace Shirt with a Cowboy Hat and a Walking Stick and beads are worn on the hands and neck.
https://logbaby.com/files/logo/13057.jpg

3. Yoruba Nation
The Yoruba People occupy South Western and North-Central Nigeria and in states such as Lagos, Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, Ogun and Osun. They are one of the three major tribes of Nigeria. They have a rich mythological history which dates back to Oduduwa as their earliest progenitor. The Yoruba people are extremely jovial and respectful. A typical Yoruba man can greet you 100 times in a day if needs be. They love partying and enjoyment generally. Their traditional system revolves around the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo which are seen as apex custodians of Yoruboid culture. Most Yoruba towns and villages are ruled by Obas also called Olus or Deji. They have a rich traditional religious system and a Pantheon of gods akin only to the Greek Pantheon. Yorubas are extremely glamorous in dressing! They look songs and food and are known for owning the Music industry in Nigeria. The Yorubas usually wear "Agbada", a oversized cloth which is worn like a jacket over lace or wrapper based clothes.
https://thetrentonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Nigerian-Dancers-The-Trent.jpg

4. Igbo Nation
The Igbo People occupy South Eastern and parts of South-Southern Nigeria which has states such as Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Delta North and Rivers. Igbo is one of the three major tribes of Nigeria. Igbo itself doesn't represent any particular group but it is an umbrella term for all Igboid groups such as Mbaise, Ika, Aniocha, Ikwerre(disputed), Orlu, etc. Igbos are highly creative and technocratic in Nature. They do well in business and technology. They have a strong family bond and every successful member of a family becomes the succour for others. Igbo traditional system is modelled after the Benin system. They usually have an Eze or Igwe who is either elected, is the oldest elder in the community or is inherited from father. The Igbos love class and elegance! They are self-preservative and fraternal in nature! They can be found in virtually every nook and cranny of the world. In fact, if you enter a place where there are no Igbos, please run away from there!!!. The Igbos usually dress with a trouser and a simple wool based shirt to go. The women dress like the Edo people with beads on the head. Some Igbo tribes tie a white wrapper across their shoulders.
www.nairaland.com/attachments/2018926_mikechioma_jpeg6f9e476963df5f6447aec641b9917d3b

5. Hausa/Kanuri/Fulani Nation
The Hausa/Kanuri/Fulani people occupy Northern Nigeria. These people have been grouped together because of the similarities in their culture, dressing and language. They are the most populated people in Nigeria and make up the major tribe. Apart from the Fulani people, most Nigerians won't be able to differentiate between these tribes. Religion has also helped to strengthen the bond shared by this triad as well as other minorities in their region. These people live a quiet, reclusive and pastoral life. They are not known for extravagance. Their traditional system is modelled after the Islamic method of a Caliphate, Sultanate and Emirate. Most towns are ruled by an Emir or his delegate. The Fulanis are remarkably nomadic in nature! These people are mainly farmers and cattle herders while there are also large pockets of politicians and civil servants. They dress with a "Kaftan" or "Jalabiya". The Fulanis in particular are unique in their dressing. The first picture below depicts Hausa/Kanuri while the second depict Fulani/Fulfulde.
https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42377000/jpg/_42377736_emirpalac.jpg
https://cometonigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Hausa-Fulani-People.jpg

6. Efik/Ibibio/Annang/Oron/Eket Nation
The Efik/Ibibio people occupy Akwa-Ibom and Cross-River States in South-Southern Nigeria. They are one of the lesser known people of Nigeria. However these people have a rich culture and elegance. They are said to be migrants from Cameroon in pre-colonial times. They also have the privilege of being one of the first people to encounter Western education and culture. The cities of Uyo and Calabar today are one of the most neatest, beautiful and secured places in Nigeria. The people are welcoming and have an aversion to violence. Their traditional system revolves around an "Obong" who rules over an "Afaha" (clan). Efik-Ibibio people love food and are known to have a wide variety of delicacies in their menu. Their dress sense is in tandem with that of the Igbo people. However, there are a lot of differences.
www.nairaland.com/attachments/474787_Ibibioarv_jpg72bd82044c247eb1f3efbd2129a44f93


7. Ijaw Nation
The Ijaw people occupy Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Akwa-Ibom and Ondo States. They comprise the 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria. The Ijaws live close to the river and thus, all their myths and legends are water based. Ijaw people are reclusive and quiet. They look drinking as well! Ijaw traditional system is headed by a "Pere" (King) who rules over a clan or village. The Ijaws are fearless and bold! They have cultural similarities with the neighbouring Itsekiri and Urhobo/Isoko people.
www.nairaland.com/attachments/533881_ijaw_groom_n_igbo_lady_jpg0a3e9d9d1ec61847e7670a6a3fcd90ce

8. Itsekiri Nation
The Itsekiris are a lesser known minority ethnic group whose people occupy Delta South. Itsekiris are aboriginals of Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West local government areas with a large pocket of people in Sapele local government area. The Itsekiris are originally Yoruba people who migrated to their current hold and have, over time, mixed their language with Edo, Urhobo, Ijaw and Portuguese. Itsekiris are jovial, colorful and elegant people. They are fearless and politically conscious. They have some of the richest and well educated people in Nigeria. They are ruled over by an Olu who is a direct descendent of Ginuwa, a Benin prince. Itsekiris dress like the Urhobos and Ijaws. Their royalty put on white with a coloured girdle depending on the occasion.
https://www.governoruduaghan.org/images/890.jpg

9. Nupe Nation
The Nupes occupy Kwara and Niger State in North-Central Nigeria. They are reclusive and quiet in nature. The Nupes are headed over by the Etsu Nupe. Nupes are communal in nature and they enjoy pastoral and simple life. Most Nupe people are farmers. Nupes also has a strong and deeply woven system of traditional thought that guides their day-to-day life.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lBSIHRycGf8/0.jpg

10. Tiv Nation
The Tiv people occupy Benue State in North Central Nigeria. Like most tribes in Northern Nigeria, they are quite reclusive and quiet. The Tiv people were once part of the Wukari Federation of pre-colonial times and they are similar to the Jukun people of Taraba state. They have a rich and wholesome culture and belief system which is headed by the Tor Tiv. The Tiv People are colorful and elegant. They are unique and have some of the most beautiful ebony girls in the country.
https://muta.org/wp-content/themes/MUTA/images/img_04.jpg


If your ethnic group is not listed, feel free to contribute and add more facts or correct errors/misconceptions.

bokohalal:
You are just jumping all over and I doubt if Timbuktu can help you here. Moreover, it is your denial of Edo influence over much of Southern Nigeria that prompted my comment .

sonofananimal:
you join the Hausa and Fulani together

Did you even think we speak thesame language

Why not join the igbos and yorubas together and we will know that your head is truly made up of cement

This is really not cool for you to join those three

tonychristopher:
Meeting European first doesn't mean they own beads

But for your information it is the itshekiri ijaws that met oyibo first


Benin never had port

Ihuomadinihu:
It's a pity though @the two inept kids jumping up and down on this thread. Only a Son of a Prostitute will see another woman and have the audacity to call her a prostitute. Prostitute because am standing up for my ethnic group by correcting erroneous views? Umu Iberibe Abuo.

anonymous6:
To be honest most Nigerians join hausa/Fulani together when it comes to describing them culturally, which has been going on for decades and the fact that both tribes are muslims added to it however I do think if the hausa's and fulanis had made a strong effort after independance from the British to make a strong distinction from each other as tribes, nobody would have easily grouped them together when describing them. The yoruba tribe and igbo tribe were never grouped together cause both tribes from the beginning made conscious efforts to distinguish their tribe before the British came, during British rule and after the British left. grouping the Yoruba's and Igbo together is like grouping England and France together, that is impossible. The fulanis and Hausa's in Nigeria have been merged together when it comes to identifying or describing them so long that it will take awhile for people to get used to calling them separately even though most people know they are two different tribes.

tonychristopher:
I'd you had a sense of geography you will know that it is the riverine community that will meet the oyibo first before the inland Benin

forgiveness:
See the map of Benin empire, is it inland?

Logic and fact are two different things.

aim5:
Plus I suspect that during the forced amalgamation of Nigeria, some land that rightfully belongs to Edo was taken and given to fringes of Ondo.

forgiveness:
The Benin empire began to lose power by 1860s hence lost of land.

aim5:
Correct.

tonychristopher:
This boy has proven how idiotic and stupid he is

aim5:
Plus I suspect that during the forced amalgamation of Nigeria, some land that rightfully belongs to Edo was taken and given to fringes of Ondo.

aim5:
Cmon now I think you're being ignorant on purpose. Me, spanishkid and bokohalal have told you repeatedly on this thread that the Benins have Gelegele and Ughoton that gives them access to the sea. Plus it is documented that the Edos were the first to meet the Portuguese first in the late 1400s.

tonychristopher:
Confused imp

scholes0:
It is the other way round.
There are still Yoruba speaking communities in Edo till date, that should be part of Ondo state- but no Bini speaking communities in Ondo.

bokohalal:
Such as?

Ihuomadinihu:
In the nearest future,we are going to have people fight and argue over who first met the White men and shook hands with them. Inferiority complex at its best. That you met the white men and engaged in commerce doesn't mean you own anything. For goodness sake, no ethnic group owns any imported coral beads. They are called trade beads for a reason.

aim5:
Cmon now I think you're being ignorant on purpose. Me, spanishkid and bokohalal have told you repeatedly on this thread that the Benins have Gelegele and Ughoton that gives them access to the sea. Plus it is documented that the Edos were the first to meet the Portuguese first in the late 1400s.

forgiveness:
See the map of Benin empire, is it inland?

Logic and fact are two different things.

darfay:
I don dey observe dis Tonychristopher guy nd e b lyk say to cry dey hungry am.no worry u go soon c person wey e go give u watin u dey find

spanishkid:
you even have time to reply insecure igbo losers. How is edo landlocked? Edo has many rivers and access to international waters. Gele Gele and Agenebode have access to international waters. If edo was landlocked how did the Portuguese come to Benin to trade? Common sense is not common amongst igbos. They are cursed. Funny enough no south east state is as rich as edo or even has half of what edo has. Na jealousy dey worry them. Bros I've been to their region and after the north in terms of poverty they're next. A tribe of people who use pawpaw leaf to cook stew. Igbos are a disease. The thief I shot trying to scale my fence earlier this week was igbo. Their women are very cheap. Do you know you can sleep with their women for as low as one plate of peppersoup and one bottle of malt? A very useless tribe indeed. Don't be deceived by what they say here on nairaland. They have nothing. Why do you think they're trying to include south south in their failed biafran dream?

Armaggedon:
look at this son of an aged prostitute.

Frustration is your problem
have you ever wondered why edo is the most rejected tribe in nigeria-edo is excluded in ojukwu's map, it is excluded in uwazurike's map, edo is missing in nnamdi kalu's map.

Most south southerners do not regard edo as one of them as the known south south ethnic groups are Ibibio ijaw itshekiri and some igbos. They see edo as back stabbers.

Even yoruba whom edo have related with for most part since independence do not accept them.

I wonder what you take the word 'cursed' to be and why you didnt ascribe your current predicament to it.

Why are you crying like a castrated dog?
Is it my fault that benin is the prustitution and witchcraft capital of the world?

a small tribe yet mightly evil

am sure you are a product of an 'accident' in Holland

okpo!

Armaggedon:
Op like i said your article is a nice attempt but lack intellectual dept for some reasons which are not wise.

If you acknowledge that Igbo groups have a lot of cultural variations, you wouldn't dare compare Igbo as a whole with benin much more placing entire Igbo under benin cultural hegemony.

Various groups interacted and influenced each other but you gave us the impression that the influence was one sided in favour of edo.

How can igbo kingship be modelled after benin when nri kindom is the oldest in Nigeria. Nri and arochukwu are traditional igbo igbo kindoms while almost the rest are republican.

Only the Obi system found in Abo, Agbor, Onitsha, Asaba and other western Igbos were inherited from Benin. Other Ezes found in central Igbo were copied from existing Nri and aro system with slight moification during colonial days including Igwe system.

Also Igbo groups influenced other groups including Edo. Ever wondered why there is Aniocha in Delta and Anaocha(including Nri) in Anambra?

Do you know that some Isoko towns claim Igbo origin?

Like i said if you cant provide facts to back up your claims then your article should be taken for what it is- an ode to your benin tribe.

sonofananimal:
very very good analysis. IF you take a little step back in histroy. You will see that the fulanis colonise the Hausa and I this brought about the classifying of both of them as one

sonofananimal:
very very good analysis. IF you take a little step back in histroy. You will see that the fulanis colonise the Hausa and I this brought about the classifying of both of them as one

tonychristopher:
Stop making claims

Go and check Timbuktu and know that your edo is just a tiddler


Timbuktu had one of the oldest literary space in the world nay sub sahara Africa


So stop hyping your small edo with moats they used in running away from invaders