![]() Bahumono traditional dancer | |
Total population | |
---|---|
58,000 (1989, est) [1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Abi, Cross River | |
![]() | 58,000 [1] |
Languages | |
Kohumono | |
Religion | |
Christianity, Traditional African religions | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Yakurr, Efik, Orring people, Igbo people, Ekoi people, Biase and Anang |
The Bahumono (Ehumono, Kohumono) are a southeastern Nigerian ethnic group that primarily resides in the Abi local government area of Cross River State. [2] They are the largest ethnic group in the region. [3]
They speak the Kohumono language. [4]
The Bahumono live along the Cross River, but according to Bahumono tradition and folklore, the group migrated from Hotumusa. Hotumusa, is the land where the rock Ekpon á Rara is located. And it is that land, the Bahumono consider their spiritual and ancestral homeland. [5]
During the colonial era, the Bahumono opposed the laws of the British Empire. [6] The Bahumono, alongside other upper Cross River tribes, foiled the Cross River expeditions of 1895, 1896 and 1898. These particular efforts resulted in the deaths of several British personnel. [7] [8] [9]
The Bahumono were once part of the Aro Confederacy [10] although, as of now, the tribe consists of eight villages: Ebijakara (Ebriba), Ebom, Ediba, Usumutong, Anong, Igonigoni, Afafanyi, and Abeugo. [11] They are closely related to the Efik, Waawa, Yakurr, Akunakuna, Ekoi people, and Annang people. [12]
The Bahumono culture and tradition shares similarities with neighboring communities [ citation needed ]. Individuals trace their origin and ancestry through the Eshi which literally means womb or navel, people from the same eshi are considered as brothers and sisters and will trace their origin to the same father and mother similar to the Ananng people. [13] Apart from the Eshi, villages are further divided into Rovone.
The practice of the Ekpe secret society and fattening room is widely observed while few people practice the Bahumono religion [ citation needed ].
Major Bahumono festivals include;
The Bahumono traditional food is similar to the Efik, Igbo and other Cross River communities. Major dishes include
The Ibibio people are a coastal people in Southern Nigeria. They are mostly found in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and the Eastern part of Abia State. During the colonial period in Nigeria, the Ibibio Union asked for recognition by the British as a sovereign nation.
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The Aro Confederacy (1640–1902) was a political union orchestrated by the Aro people, an Igbo subgroup, centered in Arochukwu in present-day southeastern Nigeria. The Aro Confederacy kingdom was founded after the beginning of the Aro-Ibibio Wars. Their influence and presence was all over Eastern Nigeria, lower Middle Belt, and parts of present-day Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Arochukwu Kingdom was an economic, political, and an oracular center as it was home of the Ibini Ukpabi oracle, High Priests, the Aro King Eze Aro, and central council (Okpankpo). The Aro Confederacy was a powerful and influential political and economic alliance of various Igbo-speaking communities in southeastern Nigeria. It emerged during the 17th century and played a significant role in the region until the late 19th century.
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Abi is a Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria. It consists of several Agbo, Bahumono and Imabana villages and is home to an annual cultural festival.
Usumutong is a community situated in Abi local government area of Cross River State, Nigeria.
Ediba is a village in Abi local government area of Cross River State, Nigeria.
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