Ibani tribe

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The Ibani/Ubani people are indigenous Igbo people who live in Bonny and Opobo areas of Rivers State, Nigeria. [1]

Contents

Bonny town is the tribal seat of the Ibani, and is located on the bight of Bonny River. Bonny's development was significantly shaped by the tribe's close interaction with European traders from the 15th century to the 18th century. [2]

History

The Kingdom of Bonny was a major trading center [3] from the 16th century onwards. They traded in ivory, elephant teeth and spices before they became major players in the trans-atlantic slave trade. Its people were later known for the exportation of palm oil and palm kernel. [4] The indigenes of the Bonny and Opobo kingdoms are collectively known as the Ibani people. [5]

Wars

Historically, Bonny engaged in several wars against its nearby rivals, such as Elem Kalabari, Obolo people and Andoni. [6]

References

  1. PeopleGroups.org. "PeopleGroups.org - Ibani of Nigeria". peoplegroups.org. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  2. Bortolot, Alexander Ives (October 2003). "Trade Relations among European and African Nations". www.metmuseum.org. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  3. "Bonny | Nigeria". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  4. "Bonny | Nigeria". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  5. Enemugwem, JH; Romokere, BS (2009-10-08). "Obolo (Andoni) Women in The Nigerian Civil War, 1967-1970". Lwati: A Journal of Contemporary Research. 6 (2). doi: 10.4314/lwati.v6i2.46559 . ISSN   1813-2227.
  6. Alagoa, Ebiegberi Joe (2005). A History of the Niger Delta, Port Harcourt: Onyoma Research Publications. ISBN   978-37314-5-9