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Christianity 20%, Islam 70% and African traditional religion 10%[citation needed]
The Afemai people (also spelled Afenmai) are a major ethnic group in the northern region of Edo State, Nigeria. They are historically linked to the Kingdom of Benin and are part of the Edoid ethnolinguistic family.
The Etsakọ, Owan, and Akoko-Edo peoples are collectively referred to as the Afenmai. The people and region they reside in were formerly called Kukuruku by the British colonial administration, allegedly in reference to a rallying battle cry; this term is now considered derogatory, and the people induced the government to change the name to Afenmai.[2] The Afenmai Division was broken up into the modern six LGAs post-colonialism.[when?] The Afenmai have close linguistic, cultural, and historical relationships.[3][clarification needed]
Name and etymology
The Afemai are also known as the Afenmai, Etsako, Etsakor, Iyekhee, or Yekhee people.[1] In Benin, they are also known as Ivbiosakon or Ivbiesakon people.[4] The name Afemai means "we are united", while Etsako means "those who file their teeth", referring to an old practice of tooth sharpening; likewise, the Benin name Ivbiesakon means "children of those who file their teeth".[5]
Owan was derived from the largest and longest river in the area which is known as Onwan/Owan. Onwanvbua/Owanbua was abbreviated as Onwan/Owan, which means "one who makes merry in affluence".[6]
Afemai is made of several kingdoms and clans (large villages/townships ruled traditionally by monarchs) and many of them seem to have their own oral history versions of the origin of Afemai as well as claims to its starting point in history. Historical accounts claimed that they migrated from Benin, during the rule of Oba Ewuare.[citation needed] The title Ewuare (Oworuare), means "all is well" or "the trouble has ceased".[citation needed] The title symbolizes an epoch of reconciliation, reconstruction and the return of peace among the warring factions in Benin between 1435-1440 AD.
Shortly after this critical period of war, Akalaka and his two sons Ekpeye and Ogba migrated further southeast to first settle at Ula-Ubie, and subsequently other groups moved out of Benin City and migrated north.[citation needed] However, it has recently become clear that there were people living in Afemailand prior to the migration from Benin City.[citation needed]
The local tradition of origin often traces their migration from Benin, which many oral traditionalists attribute to have happened sometime between the 13th and 15th centuries.[7] It is believed their ancestors settled in South Ibie before groups started moving to populate the other area they occupied like the Weppa Wanno lands, Okpella land, Uzairue, etc.[8][9] Many Owan communities trace their origins to migrations from Benin at different times. Historical accounts, including those by Chief Jacob U. Egharevba, suggest that Omorodion, popularly known as Odion among the people of Uwokha, was one of the sons of Oba Eweka I. Following a succession dispute after the demise of Oba Eweka I, Omorodion left Benin City and established Uwokha, a name derived from the Benin word "Uwoha," meaning "bush." Over time, the name evolved into Uwokha or Uokha.[10]
The Afemais do not have a central traditional ruler, but some of the prominent traditional institutions and rulers in Afemai land are the Okumagbe of Weppa Wanno (Agenebode), Ogieneni of Uzairue (Jattu), Aidonogie of south Ibie, Otaru of Auchi, Oba of Agbede, Otaru of Igarra, Ukor of Ihievbe, Oliola of Anegbette, Okumagbe of Iuleha clan, Okuopellagbe of Okpella, oghie avhianwu of Avhianwu clan etc. Afemai have produced many illustrious personalities in both national and international levels.[citation needed]
Tourist attractions, which span the expanse of Afemai, are exemplified by the Ise Lake in Agenebode (Weppa Wanno clan) Etsakor East, the Ososo Hills (featured in an edition of Gulder Ultimate search), the famous Kukuruku Hills and the Somorika Hills in Akoko Edo.[citation needed] Somorika Hills consist of an extended expanse of hills crowned by massive boulders perched precariously on the summits of hills and alongside seemingly inadequate locations on the sides.
Some of the most important towns/clans in Afemai land are Agenebode(Weppa-Wanno), Weppa, Oshiolo, Emokwemhe Iviagbapue, Auchi, Ihievbe, Afuze, Warrake, Iviukwe, South Ibie, Agbede, Sabongida Ora, Igarra, Ekperi, Jattu, Fugar, Aviele, Okpella, Uneme Ehrunrun, Uneme Osu, Iviukhua, Ososo, Uzanu, Uzebba, Iviukhua, Weppa, Okpella, Okpekpe, Somorika , Ogbona etc.[citation needed]
The autonomous clans, towns, villages and kingdoms in Afemai land are currently administratively arranged as follows under the current six local government areas:
Aviawun (Iviawu) is one of the popular clans in Afemai. It comprises 1 Unone 2 Arua 3 Ogbona 4 Iriakhor
Awun is the father of Unone Arua Ogbona Iriakhor and Awun migrated from Benin Kingdom and settle in the present Fugar. Unone and Arua make up the present Fugar.
Economy and occupation
Etsako land is naturally blessed with arable farmlands, natural minerals, freshwater streams, and rivers including the Niger River, well distributed in every community across the vast plains, valleys, and hills, including mineral-rich mountains that decorate Etsako land. Naturally, Etsako people are traditionally engaged in crop and animal farming, fishery, hunting, and trading in the raw materials and by-products of these industries.[13] While many still engage in the traditional occupation of the people, industrialization and diversification have happened over many centuries. Today, Etsako people are prominently engaged in almost every known trade, occupation, and work in Nigeria and the world.[14]
Etsako people predominantly practice farming with very fertile land that produces groundnut, yam, maize, rice in a large wide range, and cassava.[15] Mineral resources such as Coal, Limestone, Potassium, and precious stones of large commercial quantities are found in Etsako land. Compared to others Edo state, Security in Etsako land is better, and the people greatly host visitors.
Religion and culture
The Etsako people were originally practitioners of the African Traditional Religion. However, with the introduction of Christianity and Islam, many got converted to those religions.[citation needed]
Today, the Etsako people practice traditional religion, Christianity, and Islam.[16]Oghena, Osinegba, Osi, and Oshio are the common words used to refer to God in different communities and dialects of the Etsako people.[17]Etsako people are predominantly Christian today, perhaps due to largely the arrival of the early missionaries at the Waterside in Agenebode. However, high concentrations of Muslims can be found around Auchi, Agbede and perhaps, the Okpella axis.[citation needed]
The Okhaku'roros so perfected the art of wars to a stage that they used magical means to make tortoises into signaling devices. These tortoises would whistle to indicate imminent attacks. An Akhuere or ducant tree was planted on a spot in Avbiosi to mark the fetish object, which they named Unuo gboeren. To avoid spiritual repercussions, hunters would not pick the whistling tortoise in that vicinity. The Unuo gboeren is a shrine that still stands today in Avbiosi. In 1976, the Unuo gboeren tree was to give way to a new road, being constructed by Niger cat construction company. The road was supposed to be a thoroughfare, passing through Avbiosi to Ifon in Ondo state, Nigeria.[20] The intervention of Pa Alfred Onime Obuhoro spared this tree, and the road was diverted from the shrine. Pa Obuhoro was born under the tree on 24 December 1922. This shrine is appeased during severe draughts to bring rain.[21]
The origin of Aviawun Clan
Awun is said to be migrated from Benin Kingdom during the 15th century and he left Benin Kingdom because of the iron hand the Oba of Benin was applying on its subjects. He first settled at Jettu and the natives of Jettu did not welcome him, so he further migrated eastward and settled in the present Fugar. It was said that when he arrived at Fugar, he did not see any big trees and the only tree he saw that could shade him and his family was not big enough. This particular tree still exists to the present day. The tree is named Agbabo. It is a traditional tree and no Awun descendant dares cut it. It is also considered a tourist attraction.[citation needed]
Notable people
the late Michael Imoudu, a former labour union leader and founder of the Nigeria state,
Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe, Vice admiral of the Nigerian Navy, who served as de facto vice president of Nigeria (as Chief of General Staff) under the military, previously served as Chief of Naval Staff, the highest-ranking officer of the Nigerian Navy and as former military governor of Lagos and Ondo State.
Senator Francis Alimikhena, former senator of Edo north senatorial district
Etsako
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Owan
Eng Nathaniel Oyakhire Ilube, one of the first four West Africans to be enlisted in the British Royal Academy, second set of The Nigerian Military School, Zaria, First Nigerian broadcast engineer at BBC who brought BBC to Africa, pioneer engineer at Radio Bendel and Bendel television, first General Manager of Edo Broadcasting Service.
↑Enegbuma, Stanley; Odigie, Albert (2019). "Okpekpe North Ibie (Northern Edo) Resistance to the Nupe Ghazi (Raids) in the 19th Century". Journal of Benin and Edo Studies. 4: 68–87.
↑Bradbury, R. E. (1957). The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-Speaking Peoples of South-Western Nigeria. Routledge. p.180. en.
↑Omofonmwan, Samuel I. (2009). "Rural development and agricultural production in Edo State, Nigeria". Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa. Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
↑Ekunwe, Peter A; Emokaro, Christopher O; Aigba, Grace A (2013). "Socio-economic Determinants of Output of Groundnut Production in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria". Albanian Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 12 (1): 111–116. ProQuest1315137085.
↑Nitzova, Petya (June 1992). "Islam and Christianity in south Eastern Europe: An attempt for reappraisal of an interfaith encounter". Religion Today. 7 (3): 14–17. doi:10.1080/13537909208580676.
↑Ogbomo, Onaiwu W. (2002). "The evolution of an ethnic identity: the Owan of mid-western Nigeria". In Falola, Toyin (ed.). The Transformation of Nigeria: Essays in Honor of Toyin Falola. Africa World Press. pp.463–482. ISBN9780865439986.
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