The Ikwerre, natively known as Iwhuruọhna are an ethnic group in Rivers State, Nigeria.[1][2] The Ikwerre People in Rivers State, spans over four Local Government Areas; Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor, Ikwerre, and Emohua..
Iwhuruọhna[1] | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 2,000,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Rivers State, Nigeria | |
| Languages | |
| Iwhuruohna | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Omenali | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Ogba people, Ekpeye, Etche, Abua, Kalabari, Ọhaji, Ngwa |
Traditional history has classified Ikwerre into seven groups called "Ikwerre Essa". They are Elele, Isiokpo, Rumuji, Emohua, Choba, Aluu, Igwuruta and Obio group. This division was first documented by Forde and Jones; (1950) in their ethnographic study of the native languages and peoples of South-Eastern Nigeria. It was also in line with this grouping those seven customary courts were established in Ikwerre during the Colonial administration. These courts were located at Elele, Isiokpo, Rumuji, Emohua, Choba, Aluu and Obio in Ikwerreland.[3]
Geography and cultural grouping
editThe Ikwerre inhabit the upland part of Rivers State. and are predominantly settled in the Ikwerre, Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt and Emohua local government areas[4] of Rivers State.
The Ikwerre cultural area is bordered by Ogba to the northwest, the Ekpeye and Abua to the west, the Ijoid groups of Degema, the Kalabari and Okrika to the south, the Eleme and Oyigbo to the southeast and the Etche to the east.[5]
The Ikwerre are made up of four main groups, namely the Elele group (Ishimbam), the Igwuruta-Aluu (Ishiali) group, the Rumuji-Emohua-Ogbakiri (REO) or Risimini group, and the OPA group (Obio/Port Harcourt/Akpor).[6]
The Ishimbam[7] or Elele clan cluster is located at the northern part of Ikwerre land, in Ikwerre and Emohua Local Government Areas.
The Ishimbam clans include: Elele, Akpabu, Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Omerelu, Apani, Ubimini and Omudioga.[8] The Ishiali or Esila group inhabit the remaining parts of Ikwerre Local Government Area. Clans here include: Isiokpo, Ipo, Igwuruta-Ali, Aluu, Omuanwa, Omademe, Omagwa, Ozuoha and Ubima.[8]
The REO (Rumuji/Emohua/Ogbakiri) cluster, or (R)Ishimini (as classified by Ogbakor Ikwerre), inhabit the southern part of Emohua Local Government Area. They are located in a riverine area. This cluster comprises:
- Odegu clan:
- Rumuji
- Rumuodogo
- Ovogo
- Evekwu
- Rumuewhor
- Ndele
- Rumuekpe
- Uvuahu clan:
- Ibaa
- Obelle
- Emohua clan
- Ogbakiri clan[8]
The OPA (Obio-Port Harcourt-Akpor) is a broad cluster that occupies the entire Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas. It is subdivided into the Obio and the Akpor groups.
- Obio: The Obio group is divided into three: Evo, Apara and Rebisi (Port Harcourt). Obio is regarded as the common ancestor of the Evo and Apara communities; Evo is the senior while Apara is younger.[8]
- Evo: This is subdivided into three:
- Apara: Apara, the second son of Obio, had nine children: Eneka, Nkpoku, Ekinigbo, Okwuta, Adaolu (a daughter), Epirikom, Ola, Orosi, and Rebisi. These descendants founded the principal Apara communities of Eneka, Rukpokwu, Rumuigbo, Rumuokwuta, Rumuadaolu, Rumuepirikom, Rumuola, and Rumuorosi, respectively. Rumueme was established in the Apara territory, after Ozuruoha, one of Epirikom's descendants had invited his in-laws from Isiokpo to help him wage a war against his kinsman. Rumueme is said to be where these warriors from Isiokpo had resided permanently. Rumuomoi also joined in the said war and is believed to come from Isiokpo and joined Apara later.
- Rebisi: This is an offshoot of the Apara clan. Rebisi had fled Apara during a conflict with his brothers. Rebisi had seven children: Ochiri, Adasobia, Olozu, Worukwo, Ezimgbu, Ogbum and Abali. The descendants founded: Orochiri, Oroada, Orolozu, Oroworukwo, Oromerezimgbu, and Ogbumnuabali (a merger of Orogbum and Oroabali), respectively. Internal migrations led to the establishment of other communities from the original seven, such as Elekahia. Others are Nkpogu, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Nkpolu Orogbum, Rumuwoji, Rumukalagbo, Oroije, Rumuibekwe and Orominieke.
- Akpor: Akpor is located east of the REO group, south of the Ishiali group and west of Obio. The clan has ten communities: Ozuoba, Choba (Isoba), Ogbogoro, Rumuosi, Rumuolumeni, Rumuokparali, Rumualaogu, Rumuokwachi, Rumuekini and Alakahia.
Origin
edit
The ancestral name of the Ikwerre people is Iwhruọnha in Ikwerre language. The Ikwerre originated from the Grand ancestor Akalaka who also gave birth to the Ekpeye and Ogba etc. The paramount rulers in Ikwerre Land are united in what is known as Ogbakor Ikwerre, which was formed in 1963 as an umbrella socio-cultural organization of the Ikwerre tribe. [9]
As expected of pre-literate African societies, the history of the people is wrapped in myth and mystery. This presupposes that historians may have to resort to oral tradition for the justifiable/credible construction of the people's history. The works of popular Ikwerre novelist and playwright Professor Elechi Amadi, especially The Concubine, The Great Ponds, The Slave (novels) and Isiburu (a verse play) literary gives a clear history of the Ikwerre people and their cultures and traditions.[10]
According to Prof. Eric Amadi in his article titled, "History Of Ikwerre People In Nigeria, He noted that some of the Ikwerre settlements have their roots from the old Benin Empire.[11]
Establishments in Ikwerre land
edit"The acquisition of Ikwerre land began in 1913 by the British colonial government when it acquired a parcel of land from the Rebisi clan of Diobu because the then colonial government wanted to develop a harbor in the area. Once the sea port was established, the place became busy with commerce and trade and with a beehive of activities.[12]
In recent times, as the tempo of oil and gas exploration increased in Rivers State, it invariably put more pressure on Ikwerre land and its resources. As land was needed for development purposes within Port Harcourt and its environs, it was natural to turn to Ikwerre people who inhabit Port Harcourt and the surrounding territories.[13]
Leadership structure
editThe Ikwerre exist in well-delineated clans, with each clan having its own paramount king. The Ikwerre do not have an overall paramount ruler or king, but designated kings, rulers or leaders mostly approved by their constituents. However, all paramount rulers in Ikwerre are united in what is known as Ogbakor Ikwerre, which was formed in 1963 as an umbrella socio-cultural organization of the Ikwerre people.[14]
Ikwerre land and industrial activities
editThe Ikwerre play host to several multinational oil-producing and servicing companies, in addition to many other industries and establishments.[15][16] Despite these, the Ikwerre, like nearly all other minorities of the Niger Delta, frequently complain of marginalisation by the oil operatives.[17]
"The Ikwerre community faced problems of marginalization, extreme poverty and environmental degradation of its land and rivers in the Niger Delta through the exploitation of oil and gas resources. Calls were made for the full participation of the Ikwerre people in the control of resources and decision-making on development; the urgent provision of electricity; improved health care and education services; and youth employment opportunities."[18][19]
Notable people
edit.jpg)
- Simeon Chituru Achinewhu, biochemist, scholar and university administrator
- Frank Eke, A first class monarch, Nigerian medical doctor and politician. He was the first Deputy Governor of Rivers State and Ikwerre man to study at the Harvard University USA
- Elechi Amadi, writer[20]
- Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor, Rivers State, and former, Minister of Transportation
- Thankgod Amaefule (born 1984), soccer player
- Kingsley Chinda, minority leader, House of Representatives
- Monalisa Chinda, actress
- Mercy Chinwo, gospel musician
- Tonto Dikeh, actress, musician, and politician
- Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta North,
- Omah Lay, musician
- Duncan Mighty, musician
- Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, Vice-Chancellor Rivers State University
- Celestine Omehia, former governor of Rivers State
- Emmanuel Onunwor, former mayor of East Cleveland, Ohio, US[21]
- Austin Opara, former Deputy Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives
- Obi Wali, professor, and politician
- Herbert Wigwe, CEO, Access Bank PLC
- Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State, and Minister of the FCT
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ a b Amadi, Prof. Eric (20 June 2018). "History of Ikwerre people in Nigeria". Edo World.
- ^ CHIMENUM, AKANINWOR ISAAC (11 July 2018). "History of Iwhnurọhna (The Ikwerre People)". Ikwerre TV. Archived from the original on 23 October 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ "IKWERRE LANGUAGE CURRICULUM AT THE PRIMARY SCHOOL LEVEL: AN EXAMINATION. Dr. (Mrs.) Joy Agumagu and Dr. Paul B. Badey - PDF Free Download". docplayer.net. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ "Nigeria: Administrative Division (States and Local Government Areas) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
- ^ Ikunga, Solomon (2018). "The Interrogating Role of Iwhuruohna in Rivers State during the Nigerian Civil War 1967 - 1970: A Historical Imperative" (PDF). ARCN International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 12 (2).
- ^ "HARMONIZING THE HISTORICAL ORIGIN OF THE IKWERRE PEOPLE by Onyeji Nnaji". 28 July 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
- ^ Alfred., Wosa (2004). The people and community of Ishimbam : origin and culture. Artistic Club of Omudioga. OCLC 62272379.
- ^ a b c d Ikunga, Solomon (2018). "7". In Bassey Anam (ed.). "The Development of Indigenous Technology in Iwhuruohna 1500–2000: A Historical Imperative". Arts, Technology & Development Patterns. Nigeria: Advanced Publishers. pp. 87–114. ISBN 978-051-062-1.
- ^ Kelechukwu U. Ihemere (2007). A Tri-Generational Study of Language Choice & Shift in Port Harcourt. Universal-Publishers. pp. 26–35. ISBN 9781581129588.
- ^ Chinda, Izeoma (2017). "Ikwerre Intergroup Relations and its Impact on Their Culture". African Research Review. 11 (2): 83. doi:10.4314/afrrev.v11i2.7. ISSN 2070-0083.
- ^ "History Of Ikwerre People In Nigeria". www.edoworld.net. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ^ Chinwo, Chukwuemeka. "EIGHT Compulsory Acquisition of Land: The Ikwerre Experience". Academia.
- ^ "Port Harcourt | Location, Facts, & Population". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
- ^ Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada (1998). "The Ikwerre ethnic group: location of residence, language, political or cultural organizations, militant activities, arrests in 1996 and 1997, and relations with the Nigerian government and military". Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria
- ^ "Crisis looms in Rivers community over oil firms". Vanguard News. 2017-10-31. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
- ^ NGstudents (2020-08-01). "EDITORIAL: 10 Historical Facts Proving Ikwerre People As Igbos". NGstudents.com. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
- ^ "Come to our rescue, Ubima community begs Wike, Ameachi over alleged marginalisation by oil firms". Vanguard News. 2020-05-05. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
- ^ Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada (1998). "The Ikwerre ethnic group: location of residence, language, political or cultural organizations, militant activities, arrests in 1996 and 1997, and relations with the Nigerian government and military". Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Report of the Working Group on Minorities on its tenth session (Geneva, 1-5 March 2004)" (PDF).
- ^ "Elechi Amadi | Nigerian writer". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
- ^ Kalu., Ogbaa (2003). The Nigerian Americans. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31964-2. OCLC 59308254.