₦airaland Forum

Bini/Igbo Factors- Origins And Migration of Ika People
POSTED BY ANIOMAWATCH POSTED ON 13:54

Ika lacks archeological works, and she is grossly deficient of ancient written records, myths, legends or fantasized oral traditions towards her history, culture and origin. For example, no part of Ika has been studied by a professional historian or anthropologist neither has any part of Ika villages been visited by one. The dearth of literature in Ika history can also be said to have stemmed up from lack of initiative of the early Ika people who embraced Western Education; who never picked up a pen and never made the feeble effort to attempt it. Otherwise, it is known that Ika had a crop of literate men since the arrival of the British in Agbor.

Aside from the Government School that was established at Agbor in 1906, most Ika people were products of the Mission Schools that started in some Ika towns ever before the British formed their school. Such kind of materials on folklores, folktales or treatises, etc. on Ika written by this generation of Ika would have been worthwhile contributions to the body of knowledge of Ika history. For instance, an Igbo ex-slave, Olanda Equiano’s autobiography (1789) answered some questions about Igbo people, their origin, government, politics, their economy, social life and British.

On the side of the British, their Officials did not help matters with their perfunctory Intelligence Reports on Ika clans. The British had every reason to have written extensively on Ika judging from the events of Ekumeku Movement (1880-1910) and the incident of the gruesome murder of Captain Crew Reade in 1906 at Owanta. But none of their writings, if ever, was available to this writer. In the absence of such detailed records, much of the account in the this chapter is based on the oral traditions of the Ika people, otherwise referred to as fluid history of Ika clans, or recalls of the various schools of thought on the origins of Ika people.

According to Eguavon, S.I. Eka (Ika) means deserters from Benin because of the bloody rule of Oba Ewuare about 1440 AD. It is said that the Binis who seized the opportunity of Oba Ewuare’s absence to flee from Benin were given this name Eka by Oba Ewuare, who on his return from one of his military campaigns, found that many of this subjects had deserted him. It was then he remarked sagaciously: So ghai Eka no. “Leave them, they are deserters”.

During this period for example, Oba Ewuare lost his only two sons, Ezuware and Ekpoboyuuwa through poisoning on the same day. To show hi grief for the death of these princes, he declared three years of mourning for them. During these years of mourning, he ordered that no one was to marry, and those who were married should not have sexual intercourse within the period. He also ordered that there should be no bathing and shaving of hair during the period. Those who were of marriageable age then fled Benin Kingdom in order no to prohibited from raising up families.

Generally, there were political and social disturbances and unrest during the period. The rulers were powerful and overbearing, and there was no known punishment that they could not mete out to offending subjects. Some were forcely charged and dealt with. Life and property were insecure in the face of political uncertainties that existed in Benin Empire. Since there was social disorder, the conditions became unbearable in Benin Empire, which resulted in migration spree of adventurous subjects.

However, on settlements in the areas now known as Ika, some of the Ika clans claim to have been formed before the movement of people from Benin and Ishan Divisions to Ika Land, and these are Agbor, Owa and Umunede clans. It may be that deserters or Ika not only swelled the population of the already existing settlements but also formed new settlements. Ika appears to have grown as a result of the influx of immigrants from Benin, Ishan and Aniocha areas of the defunct Bendel State. Ika people came to Ika Land in different waves of migration, led buy different persons from different directions at different times for different reasons.

http://aniomawatch..com/2013/08/biniigbo-factors-origins-and-migration.html
Onye nwelu nti, nya nulu.

Ika communities mostly comprise the following: Agbor, Owa, Umunede, Mbiri, Abavo, Orogodo, Otolokpo, Igbodo, Ute-Okpu, Ute-Ugbeje, Idumuesah, Akumazi, Ekpon (Edo State), Igbanke (Edo State), Inyelen Edo State).

The Ika people are specifically located in the North-West of Delta State but some like Igbanke, Inyelen and Ekpon are presently located in Edo State.

Other Ika communities found in Edo State are Owanikeke, Owa-Riuzo Idu and Igbogili. Specifically, Ika people occupy Ika North East and Ika South Local Government Areas of Delta State and a land area of about 117.45 square kilometres. Since the 2006 population census did not stipulate the official figure for ethnic groups, the total population figure of the Ika people remains officially unknown.

The dialect of Ika people is Igboid group (Williamson, 1968). This according to him is because it has no noticeable difference from the general Igbo language spoken within the Anioma area only weak phonological and lexical difference separates it from the variety of dialects spoken within the Anioma confine. In actual fact, Ika dialect is a mixture of Igbo and Bini which evidently suggests it’s the influence of proximity with the Aniocha/Oshimili and Edo groups. This is also reflective in the names that the people bear. The whole of Ika communities speak Ika dialect while Igbodo speaks dual Ika and Enuani dialects. If we go by Williams’ hypothesis, then we will arrive at the postulation that Ika people speak Ika, a branch of Igbo language.

For Joseph N. Egwu, a prominent scholar and historian “The wars between Benin and Agbor are not as simple as Egherevba puts them. Even using his accounts, it seems that the relationship was that of a series of fluctuations and adjustments”.

This position of Egwu is strongly supported by one tradition of Agbor as narrated by Iduwe. According to Iduwe “Our ancestors had long established an autonomous kingdom based on Eze title before our contact with Benin”.

“Agbor Nta formerly called Ominije is the cradle of civilization. Ogelle or Ogene lived as the great priest. He became Oriowor and was greeted “Oriowor or Oken Eze” meaning “Oriowor, the Great King” (Anioma Essence, 2007). Osita Mordi claims that “The kingdom began to show signs of weakness following the demise of Obi Adigwe. Agbor Kingdom was weakened by the unhealthy attitudes of the two sons of Obi Adigwe who began to shove for power to ascend the throne following the demise of their father. This was one of the causes of the civil war that ravaged the kingdom in 18th century.

Again, we hear from Osita Mordi that “The supposed provocation which Chief Egharevba referred to which induced Oba Ovonramwen to prepare a declaration of war was not because Agbor had revolted against the rule of Benin but because Agbor had blocked all channels through which the Benin collected royalties from the Southern Esan clans demanding that a share of such royalties should come to them (Agbor)”.

The history of Agbor like other communities is based on oral tradition. Popular oral account of the community therefore traces its origin to Ogunagbon, the believed founder of Agbor who left Benin with his followers and first settled in Ominijie, located in present Agbor Nta (Emeka Esogbue, 2008). This makes Agbor Nta Agbor’s oldest settlement. One of his chiefs was to later settle in an area known as Agbon. The word “Agbon” means “Earth” or “Land”.

Oral tradition as well as documented history claims that the Dein Dynasty was founded by Ebonka who reigned as the kingdom’s first Dein (1270-1307). “Dein” is derived from “Dehin”, a word strongly attached to “Warrior”.

The market day for Agbor-Obi is Nkwor.

Who can explain what the word Igbo doing in an Ika town name? "Igbogili"

In some Ika articles, I tend to see more Ikas with Igbo surnames than Ikas with Bini surnames. Now this may not be representative of the true situation on ground, I do not know.

YUL EDOCHIE, QUEEN NWOKONYE TO STORM
AGBOR FOR MOVIE MAKING

That Agbor is becoming a hub for
Nollywood activities is no more news as there is no month that at least two
movies are not shot in Agbor. This time around, in less than seven days time,
popular Nollywood actors and actresses will be in Ika land for the making of
some movies, titled “Wilderness of Love”, “Dance of Love”, War on Politics and
National Deceased,” among others. These movies will be produced by the award
winning producer, Mr. Percy Monday Edoki and
will be directed by Ifeanyi Azodo.

According
to the producer, Percy Monday Edoki, the movies were earlier proposed to be
shot in Port Harcourt, but having seen that the kind of structures that the
movies require are in Agbor, there was no need going outside Ika land. He added
that arrangements have been made for the following artistes, Yul Edochie,
Chiwetala Agu, Amechi Mouonagor, Camila Mgberkpe, Queen Nwokonye, Ed. Nnasor,
Elvis Obi, Popo, and a host of others to be in Agbor as they will all feature
in the movies.

He
also used the opportunity to appreciate the following persons for their
contributions in building Nollywood in Agbor, Dr. Victor Ikpon, Hon. Hilary
Fada Ibude, Chief Jude Ogbekile, Deacon Monday Akpokwueze, and Chief Ikenchor
Okwuokenye, the Inneh of Owa.

He
also used the medium to appeal to all Ika sons and daughters both at home
and in diaspora to always make Ika proud
in all their dealings.

IKA SONS AND DAUGHTERS SHOULD EMULATE GOOD LEADERS –Comr. Lucky Omorogie

The community youth leaders of Ika
North/South Local Governments of the state in conjunction with National Youth
Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ika South/North in a meeting held over the weekend
lauded the efforts of Ika sons and daughters who in one way or the other have
contributed immensely to the growth and development of Ika land saying that they all merited the awards that will be given to
them on the 6th, April, 2013 at Keziah Hotel, Boji-Boji, Owa.

Speaking with newsmen, Comr. Lucky
Omorogie, Ika South NYCN chairman, said amongst those that will be given the
award are Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. According to him, Okowa has done well among
other past senators by empowering youths, attracting projects to the zone and
sponsoring bills at the National Assembly. He also stated that other persons
like Dame Princess Obaigbena, Magnus
Onyeka, Mike Okoh, Hon. Victor Nwokolo, Benjamin Okwube have also
affected lives positively in their own different ways.

The NYCN chairman thanked, Delta North
Youth Council Chairman, Comr. Okorie Kenneth for his unquenchable zeal in
carrying the youths along and for bringing out a programme that will be used to
honour deserving Ika sons and daughters.

He urged other Ika sons and daughters
both at home and abroad to emulate such good gesture and strive to bring growth
and development to Ika land.

culled from http://ikaworld.com/1255/

bigfrancis21:
Who can explain what the word Igbo doing in an Ika town name? "Igbogili"

Igbo is also a Yoruba word for forest so it isn't sacrosanct

If Agbor Nta was formerly called Ominije until Binis came and changed the name to Agbon, as it is said, shouldn't the Binis be held responsible for changing Ika names from what they were before? Why are Ika Bini people like Cire80 going around with the false claim that 'Igbos' landed in Ika land in the '15th' century and changed Ika town names?

Ishilove:
Igbo is also a Yoruba word for forest so it isn't sacrosanct

LOL...Ya I know that but Ikas do not speak Yoruba, so the forest meaning is out of context here.

Ominije – The forgotten original headquarters of Agbor kingdom


The first human beings who
settled in Agbor around 2000 BC were like homosapiens and they started their
life at Ominije. They were created by Osolobue (Almighty God) at Ominije and
evidence had not proved that they migrated from anywhere else. Although, some early
wandered temporally came and live with them but Ominije people were the first
to set their feet in Agbor kingdom.

The word ‘Agbor’ was
translated from Agbon meaning original or staring point. It can be stated
without contradiction that the people of Ominije are the founders of the Agbor
kingdom. The people grew and expanded to become a kingdom. They had their
Rulers, council of elders, king makers and soldiers of war. As far back as
8000BC the kingdom was already established/

Historians enunciated that
the land ‘Ominije’ was given by Osolobue to the people as birthright for use by
them and their subsequent generations. Ominije is still in existence today. It
covers the areas presently known as Agbornta, Oki, Ewuru, Aliagwai, and
Amahia-the areas that are now known as Ihu-Iyase. It equally include Otorvbaye
and Idumu-Ugo settlements in Orhionwon Local Government Areas of Edo State.

Although Ominije or Agbor
is as old and famous as other historical ethnic groups like Bini, Oyo and the
Nupe’s there was no definite knowledge or written records about it. the early
Europeans and writers could not settle at Ominije because it was not a seaport
or a terminal point. It was not a center for slave trade like Bini and Onitsha,
but the people of Ominije were notable war lords. They fought several battles
and won their opponents including capturing them and returning them to Agbor as
slaves.

The people of Ominije did
not move far from their base and they were always found settling at short
distances where they built huts made of branches. As a result of the fact that
they were fond of settling at short distances, they were called Ominije
ukwu-Ntiti meaning tiny legged people who do not move very far. Ominije, who are
the aborigines of Agbor were seen at Agbornta long time ago. At that time there
were no inhabitants anywhere in Agbor. It was around 8000BC that they began to
wander and settle in other small communities. The kingdom of Ominije was ruled
by patriarch or Ogele system.

To become Ogele or a
patriarch you must be an outstanding personality. For example, Ogele xiv
(1059-1239) became a patriarch when he performed a feat in jumping from one
tree to the other after beating several others. He was made to climb the silk
cotton tree in a place at Ominije called ‘Orhue’ whose height was more than 24
feet. He was also required to skip from the cotton tree to Iroko tree ten
meters away, and then spill downwards on a sandy plain. Ogele xiv was called
Okwakpor. He had five children who were Agbon, Ika, Ede, Otta and Oganbor. When
they were of age, he called them together and sent them to different locations
to retain and maintain Ominije kingdom.

The first child Agbon
remained at Ominije, the second child Ika was sent to Kwale axis but he settled
at Otolokpo the third child, Ede moved east wards and stopped at a place called
Umunede the fourth child Otta, a girl settled and called the place Otta. The
fifth child Ogan moved west ward and settled at a place and called it Ogan.

From the above, it is clear
that the people of Ominije are the progenitors of the present Ika land. Problem
started when Okwakpor was told in 1270AD that the patriarchal age would end and
pave way to modern monarchy. It was at this stage Dein Eboka was withdrawn from
the warfront in Nupe to become the king of Ominije. He period marked the end of
rulership by the Ogeles and the patriarch.

What is not very clear is
why two headquarters emerged during the reign of Eboka. One headquarter was at
Ominije and another headquarters was established at the metropolis. It was at
this level Ominije was thrown over board and has been rejected and neglected
since then. It was the creation of the headquarters by Dein Eboka that led
Oriorwor and the patriarch to become two parallel lines that will never meet.
The popularity of Ominije went down the drains when the divinatory seers and
elders in ancient Ominije met at the sanctuary to reveal that the gods said
that the patriarchal system of rulership should give way to real monarchy. To
this end God sent a messenger to advice king Eboka to meet him in a sacred bush
in the village of Uvbere for a covenant.

The messenger went before
the king to the place and on his way he met an unclean woman and requested for
water to drink at a well, but the woman declined because she could not have
obliged to such request due to her unclean condition. The messenger turned to
another woman and her husband to request for water to drink. This time he was
given a full dose of water to drink and having been satisfied, the messenger
took the woman and the husband to the sacred spot in the sacred bush and the
man was made the Ohen which in those days means a priest.

When the messenger of God
eventually met Dein Eboka at the sacred bush, the Dein was shown the chalk land
and the wealth of the nation, after which they entered into a covenant and
there was a flash of lightening which sealed the agreement.

This accord no doubt
symbolizes the divine powers of Dein dynasty but what happened to Ominije the
original seat of power where our ancestors founded Agbor. Why was the capital
shifted from Ominije to the metropolis? It is not an overstatement to emphasis
that the divinatory spirit or power is still at Ominije and that this original
seat and divinity should not be forgotten or neglected in whatever guise.

As the old adage says – the
old soldier never die in a battle. Ominije is still alive and the more we
recognise and accept this fact, the better it will be for Agbor kingdom in
particular and Ika nation as a whole.

Dr A.E. Monye is a
contemporary writer and author.

Could ominije probably be a dialectical variation of umunije/umuije....descendants of people in journey?? Hmm who knows.

Cire80....come and read from an Ika author, Dr. A. E. Monye about the aborigines of Ika land before the Bini migrants landed and settled in Ika land.

Everywhere I check nothing ever points to Binis being the first to 'arrive' Ika land and the 'Igbos of the 15th century' arriving later to 'change their language, town names, customs etc.'.

bigfrancis21:
Could ominije probably be a dialectical variation of umunije/umuije....descendants of people in journey?? Hmm who knows.

Cire80....come and read from an Ika author, Dr. A. E. Monye about the aborigines of Ika land before the Bini migrants landed and settled in Ika land.

Everywhere I check nothing ever points to Binis being the first to 'arrive' Ika land and the 'Igbos of the 15th century' arriving later to 'change their language, town names, customs etc.'.

You're an Igbo man and you see everything from the eyes of an Igbo man. Right. All the things in your write up is Edo. And that's just a myth. When has myth become history? Here you are again trying to give an Igbo meaning to Ominijie. Even all the names of people and terms mentioned in that post is Edo. You probably don't recognize an Edo word when you see it.

bigfrancis21:
Who can explain what the word Igbo doing in an Ika town name? "Igbogili"

Can you explain what Igbo is doing in Ijebu Igbo and other Yoruba communities that have Igbo in their name?

bigfrancis21:
If Agbor Nta was formerly called Ominije until Binis came and changed the name to Agbon, as it is said, shouldn't the Binis be held responsible for changing Ika names from what they were before? Why are Ika Bini people like Cire80 going around with the false claim that 'Igbos' landed in Ika land in the '15th' century and changed Ika town names?

Ominijie is an Edo word likewise Agbon.

Cire80:
Ominijie is an Edo word likewise Agbon.

What is the meaning of ominije in Bini/edo? Please tell us.

Cire80:
Can you explain what Igbo is doing in Ijebu Igbo and other Yoruba communities that have Igbo in their name?

That is not the case here. If Ika people like you claim to not be Igbo, why do you have town names bearing Igbo in them such as Igbodo and Igbogili, which signifies something which you're not too keen to admit? Are Igbouzo (Delta state), Igbo-ukwu (Anambra state), Igbo-Etiti (Enugu state), Igboere (Abia state) etc any different from Igbodo and Igbogili? If you get my drift maybe you'll respond tactfully.

Cire80:
You're an Igbo man and you see everything from the eyes of an Igbo man. Right. All the things in your write up is Edo. And that's just a myth. When has myth become history? Here you are again trying to give an Igbo meaning to Ominijie. Even all the names of people and terms mentioned in that post is Edo. You probably don't recognize an Edo word when you see it.

I knew this would come up. Those town names used in the article are what they are called today, which the author used. It doesn't mean those were their actual names as of the time of ominije kingdom. Probably they were different. For example, we've seen how ominije was changed to Agbor.

bigfrancis21:
What is the meaning of ominije in Bini/edo? Please tell us.

Ominijie or Ominigie means without kind.
The Ominijies operated in same manner as the Ogisos. And there was a guild known as the Ominijies and the Edoguns Odogun in Esan and other Ika clans except Owa and few others that call it Edogun in their dialect. (what Igbos call Odogwu) during the Ogiso email.

This is an excerpt from a Bini website.

In the same way that each extended family had an Okaegbee, or leader, each ward community, village, town, dukedom, had an Odionwere, who more often than not was the oldest person in the society. The community, village, town, or dukedom, organized itself into Otu (age) groups and guilds. Each Otu had seven divisions. The idea of seven started when a group of seven, known as the ‘Ominigie,’ was set up during the Ogiso era. Ominigie was a militant or warrior group that went to war for the society. According to myths, the group accompanied their war activities with music and dance and when they were eventually vanquished, it was said that they danced their way to heaven. Another group of seven was promptly set up after their demise and the rhythm of seven has prevailed since.

Cire80:
Ominijie or Ominigie means without kind.
The Ominijies operated in same manner as the Ogisos. And there was a guild known as the Ominijies and the Edoguns Odogun in Esan and other Ika clans except Owa and few others that call it Edogun in their dialect. (what Igbos call Odogwu) during the Ogiso email.

This is an excerpt from a Bini website.

In the same way that each extended family had an Okaegbee, or leader, each ward community, village, town, dukedom, had an Odionwere, who more often than not was the oldest person in the society. The community, village, town, or dukedom, organized itself into Otu (age) groups and guilds. Each Otu had seven divisions. The idea of seven started when a group of seven, known as the ‘Ominigie,’ was set up during the Ogiso era. Ominigie was a militant or warrior group that went to war for the society. According to myths, the group accompanied their war activities with music and dance and when they were eventually vanquished, it was said that they danced their way to heaven. Another group of seven was promptly set up after their demise and the rhythm of seven has prevailed since.

Ok, this website says this:

Agbor is in Delta North Senatorial District, also known as
Ominije, is an Igbo town in Delta State, Nigeria

The indigenes of Agbor town are of Ika descent, an Igbo-speaking
group

Agbor, originally called Ominije, was founded by Omini from Aguleri.
Ominije means "Omini Eze Ije" which translates "Omini the King of
Travel”

The city of Omini or Ominije was later renamed Agbor an Igbo
word for "lineage" (a dialectal variant of "agburu"
)

Its history is dominated by the many warriors it has produced.

Agbor was once affiliated with the Benin Empire before the British
conquered Benin, although the idea of Agbor being a colony of Benin
is disputed, in view of its ancestral linage with Ominije but at the
same time found itself within the liberal influence of Oduduwa
under the Benin Empire

Which is correct now?

Ominije people were called ominije ukwu ntiti...meaning ominije people with small legs unable to move around. Ominije ukwu ntiti as of hundreds of years back were already speaking an Igbo dialect, not Bini?

bigfrancis21:
That is not the case here. If Ika people like you claim to not be Igbo, why do you have town names bearing Igbo in them such as Igbodo and Igbogili, which signifies something which you're not too keen to admit? Are Igbouzo (Delta state), Igbo-ukwu (Anambra state), Igbo-Etiti (Enugu state), Igboere (Abia state) etc any different from Igbodo and Igbogili? If you get my drift maybe you'll respond tactfully.

What is the meaning of the Anambra and Enugu towns bearing Igbo in their name? As for Igbodo, it's from a leave used for making Agidi, Moi Moi and other things. It was a precious leave and it's found in Igbodo in large quantity that's how the name came about. People still buy the leave till present day. You need to ask the Igbodo and Igbogili natives what their names mean before you start making any conclusions.

Cire80:
What is the meaning of the Anambra and Enugu towns bearing Igbo in their name? As for Igbodo, it's from a leave used for making Agidi, Moi Moi and other things. It was a precious leave and it's found in Igbodo in large quantity that's how the name came about. People still buy the leave till present day. You need to ask the Igbodo and Igbogili natives what their names mean before you start making any conclusions.

I am not making any conclusions, the onus is on you to tell us what Igbodo/Igbogili mean, because from cursory looks it is no different from other Igbo-bearing town names in SE/SS Nigeria.

bigfrancis21:
Which is correct now?

Ominije people were called ominije ukwu ntiti...meaning ominije people with small legs unable to move around. Ominije ukwu ntiti as of hundreds of years back were already speaking an Igbo dialect, not Bini?

there is nothing like omini from Aguleri. The website is fake. I've seen the website you got that news from. A fake Niger Delta project monitoring group with a concocted interview granted by Dein of Agbor. Just like Igboid got some excerpts from a Delta State government official website with a.org and .com domain. Delta State official website is .gov extension. The truth is you guys have gone to the extent of cloning websites in your evil bid to change our history. Ika is obviously giving you guys sleepless nights.

As for the Onyibe and Iduwe, their write up is fictional and can only pass as myth. I know the myth where he got most of the things he wrote about. In that myth, Oselobue sent down Ehi (personal God) Olokun (God of the Sea) and Ojuwu (the deceiver/Satan) to create the world. According to the myth, the world started from Agbor. How do you expect someone writing how the world started from Agbor to give credit to any other groups? To achieve this, they have to distance from Bini as much as possible. But unfortunately it's not easy to write Ika history without Bini. They only end up writing Bini words and Bini names and giving all Ika origin. In some of their articles I saw, there is nothing like Ika. Ika is equal to Agbor and Agbor equal to Ika. Any other Ika clans are under Agbor and Dein is the rules of all Agbor. What a hallucinations. Other Ika clans don't agree with them.

bigfrancis21:
I knew this would come up. Those town names used in the article are what they are called today, which the author used. It doesn't mean those were their actual names as of the time of ominije kingdom. Probably they were different. For example, we've seen how ominije was changed to Agbor.

What was their names? Going back in time can only shift more towards Edo. But If this is, tell me why Uku ntiti won't be the present term. The Edo term is probably lost but the meaning is retained in a new term. Following your logic.

From that myth, it's clear that Satan is ojuwu in Ika but with the advent of Christianity, the word is getting replaced with the Igbo word, ekwensu. Nobody ever say ojuwu except in some rare cases where it's used to describe a very wicked person or someone that's very wicked is nicknamed ojuwu.

To call someone is hii in Ika but with the advent of telephones, a new word (kpor) has been introduced. People use hii for calls generally but when it comes to calling on phone, everybody speak kpor. There are countless of instances. This is what I was trying to explain how Christianity and many modern concepts is Igbonizing us.

Cire80:
From that myth, it's clear that Satan is ojuwu in Ika but with the advent of Christianity, the word is getting replaced with the Igbo word, ekwensu. Nobody ever say ojuwu except in some rare cases where it's used to describe a very wicked person or someone that's very wicked is nicknamed ojuwu.

To call someone is hii in Ika but with the advent of telephones, a new word (kpor) has been introduced. People use hii for calls generally but when it comes to calling on phone, everybody speak kpor. There are countless of instances. This is what I was trying to explain how Christianity and many modern concepts is Igbonizing us.

My friend is obvious you are just picking straws to hold your leaking arguments... I advice you to sheath ur paper sword and allow fate reconcile itself... After all when the evening comes, the chicken must come to roost... Ika maybe already in their evening, let's c how it pans out!

Cire80:
Ominijie or Ominigie means without kind.
The Ominijies operated in same manner as the Ogisos. And there was a guild known as the Ominijies and the Edoguns Odogun in Esan and other Ika clans except Owa and few others that call it Edogun in their dialect. (what Igbos call Odogwu) during the Ogiso email.

This is an excerpt from a Bini website.

In the same way that each extended family had an Okaegbee, or leader, each ward community, village, town, dukedom, had an Odionwere, who more often than not was the oldest person in the society. The community, village, town, or dukedom, organized itself into Otu (age) groups and guilds. Each Otu had seven divisions. The idea of seven started when a group of seven, known as the ‘Ominigie,’ was set up during the Ogiso era. Ominigie was a militant or warrior group that went to war for the society. According to myths, the group accompanied their war activities with music and dance and when they were eventually vanquished, it was said that they danced their way to heaven. Another group of seven was promptly set up after their demise and the rhythm of seven has prevailed since.

Otu - age group, same as in Igbo? Ndi otu gi, for example? Few days ago it was Ogbemudia. Everyday I continue to see more and more similarities between Igbo and Bini.

I find it interesting that the very ancient language these people spoke seems to be an Igbo dialect. The Ominijie was called 'oke eze'. You also have Ominije ukwu ntiti (ominije people of small legs unable to move around much). Just saying.

Cire80:
What was their names? Going back in time can only shift more towards Edo. But If this is, tell me why Uku ntiti won't be the present term. The Edo term is probably lost but the meaning is retained in a new term. Following your logic.

How did the edo term conveying the logic get lost yet ominije itself was retained?

Cire80:
there is nothing like omini from Aguleri. The website is fake. I've seen the website you got that news from. A fake Niger Delta project monitoring group with a concocted interview granted by Dein of Agbor. Just like Igboid got some excerpts from a Delta State government official website with a.org and .com domain. Delta State official website is .gov extension. The truth is you guys have gone to the extent of cloning websites in your evil bid to change our history. Ika is obviously giving you guys sleepless nights.

As for the Onyibe and Iduwe, their write up is fictional and can only pass as myth. I know the myth where he got most of the things he wrote about. In that myth, Oselobue sent down Ehi (personal God) Olokun (God of the Sea) and Ojuwu (the deceiver/Satan) to create the world. According to the myth, the world started from Agbor. How do you expect someone writing how the world started from Agbor to give credit to any other groups? To achieve this, they have to distance from Bini as much as possible. But unfortunately it's not easy to write Ika history without Bini. They only end up writing Bini words and Bini names and giving all Ika origin. In some of their articles I saw, there is nothing like Ika. Ika is equal to Agbor and Agbor equal to Ika. Any other Ika clans are under Agbor and Dein is the rules of all Agbor. What a hallucinations. Other Ika clans don't agree with them.

Now let me ask you this question, why would the binis possibly name agbor 'agbon' meaning 'earth' or 'land'. What's the significance or motive behind this name?

bigfrancis21:
Otu - age group, same as in Igbo? Ndi otu gi, for example? Few days ago it was Ogbemudia. Everyday I continue to see more and more similarities between Igbo and Bini.

I find it interesting that the very ancient language these people spoke seems to be an Igbo dialect. The Ominijie was called 'oke eze'. You also have Ominije ukwu ntiti (ominije people of small legs unable to move around much). Just saying.

It's quite apparent you don't know anything about Edo. You're not the right person to have a debate about Ika because everything you see will be Igbo in your eyes.

Cire80:
It's quite apparent you don't know anything about Edo. You're not the right person to have a debate about Ika because everything you see will be Igbo in your eyes.

You still have not told us why the ominije was referred to as 'oke eze' or 'ominije ukwu ntiti'.

bigfrancis21:
How did the edo term conveying the logic get lost yet ominije itself was retained?

How did Olukumi survive in the West Indies and Caribbean but Igbo didn't? Some of the most popular festivals in Spanish America's are of Yoruba origin. I still remember the Yamoja festival which I witnessed in Brazil. What happened to the Igbo language and culture in those places? The truth is, you don't look at history from a straightforward angle.

Cire80:
From that myth, it's clear that Satan is ojuwu in Ika but with the advent of Christianity, the word is getting replaced with the Igbo word, ekwensu. Nobody ever say ojuwu except in some rare cases where it's used to describe a very wicked person or someone that's very wicked is nicknamed ojuwu.

To call someone is hii in Ika but with the advent of telephones, a new word (kpor) has been introduced. People use hii for calls generally but when it comes to calling on phone, everybody speak kpor. There are countless of instances. This is what I was trying to explain how Christianity and many modern concepts is Igbonizing us.

Actually, not every Igbo clan uses 'kpo' for call. Parts of Ebonyi and Enugu use 'ku' instead. Nne na-eku gi, for example. Tell me, is hii the same as in Bini? If yes understood. But to me what I see is Ika dropping its past bini linguistic influence on the dialect and re-adopting more and more igbo equivalents instead, being an Igbo dialect that it probably has always been to begin with, with substantial bini linguistic influence in the last few centuries. If your observations are right, then christianity is to thank for for re-aligning ika dialect with other igbo dialects.

bigfrancis21:
Now let me ask you this question, why would the binis possibly name agbor 'agbon' meaning 'earth' or 'land'. What's the significance or motive behind this name?

Where did you get it from that the Binis called Agbor Agbon?

Cire80:
How did Olukumi survive in the West Indies and Caribbean but Igbo didn't? Some of the most popular festivals in Spanish America's are of Yoruba origin. I still remember the Yamoja festival which I witnessed in Brazil. What happened to the Igbo language and culture in those places? The truth is, you don't look at history from a straightforward angle.

This question has been addressed already in one of my previous threads. https://www.nairaland.com/3580290/comparing-slave-numbers-bight-benin

Also, olukwumi isn't a living language in the west indies. By living language, I mean spoken at home, in public places, in the market, language of trade etc. Its status is that of a liturgical language at times used in ifa rites alongside portuguese/spanish. It has the same status as Latin in the catholic church, which has no native speakers alive, and is thus a dead language. That is not really a survival if it has no native speakers speaking it.

Cire80:
Where did you get it from that the Binis called Agbor Agbon?

Origin of Agbor
The History of Agbor Kingdom like those of other African ancient kingdoms, empires and peoples is based on oral tradition. Various oral accounts on the origin of Agbor and Ika people exist but the most credible being that “Ogunagbon” and his followers who founded Agbor came from Benin and first settled in “Ominije” presently located in today’s Agbor-Nta. Following what can best be described as personal crisis between two princes in Benin and subsequent settlement of this dispute as agreed to by the chiefs and elders of Benin determined by casting of lot, one of the princes settled in what became known as “Agbon”. Agbon like other Anioma towns and communities was later anglicized by the Bjritish who found it difficult to pronounce as “Agbor” the present name of the town. For certain reasons, I have decided to ignore all other events that transpired leading to the foundation of the town called Agbor in acknowledgement of the fact that what concerns us here is the progenitor of the kingdom and his origin. Agbon (Agbor) in Benin means “Earth or “Land”.

http://www..com/talk/topic,52285.0.html

Ishilove:
Igbo is also a Yoruba word for forest so it isn't sacrosanct

I'm glad I understand the two languages very well.
Igbo is a tonal language. "Ígbó" as in forest in Yoruba, has same/similar sound as in, "ígbo" for the word Marijuana. (can you see the rising stress on, "I".
It would go a lil something like this, EEGBOO.
While 'Igbo' As in the people, would sound a lil something like this. "EGBO".

If only we do not anglicise the letters for spelling our local languages, we would have gotten grasp of these differences.