Idoa, Nigeria

Last updated

Idoa Community
Idoa (Odoa)
Idoa Community Logo.png
Total population
c. 500,000
Regions with significant populations
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 170 million
Languages
Esan and English
Religion
Related ethnic groups
Esan, Idoani
https://idoacommunity.net/
Idoa, Nigeria

Idoa [1] is an Esan [2] community in Edo, Nigeria. The city, an Esan tribe, stretches through the highlands and plains of central Edo State. It is 120 kilometres north of Benin City, the capital of Edo State, having boundaries with Ekpoma in the west, Ukhun in the south, Ewu in the east and Agbede in the north. Residents are mainly farmers and grow crops, including yams, rice, cassava, taro and cocoa. The city of Idoa is currently made up of the following five clans: Afuku-N'Edo, Afokolo, Atologua, Ubi and Ofie. [3]

Contents

Religion

Idoa mosque First mosque build in Idoa Community.jpg
Idoa mosque
St Peters Anglican Church, Idoa St Peters Anglican Church, Idoa.jpg
St Peters Anglican Church, Idoa

Idoa people were originally herbalists. During the reign of Ifidon in the late 1890s, Islamic Religion was introduced to the community with the assistance of Oba Momodu I of Agbede. The first mosque was built in 1918. Today, Islam, Christianity and other religions are present in the community [4] [5]

History of Idoa Kingdom

Source: [6]

In 1460 AD, Oba Ewuare passed laws of mourning that prohibited sexual intercourse, bathing, drumming, dancing, and cooking. [7] These laws proved too restrictive for many citizens, and these citizens fled the kingdom to Esanland. This exodus shaped Esanland's modern cultural identity and gave rise to the term "Esan," or "refugee." Oral tradition has heavily supported this theory. Prominent Esan and Edo historians have collected stories about this migration. [8]

During this migration [9] it was said that three brothers, Ojie-Ekpende, Udah, and Ojieosan, left Benin and moved towards the north side called Ukukuruku. Udah stayed at Ekunma (Ekpoma), and told his brothers and their followers to move further. He told them that Ojie-Ekpende is stronger than Ojiesan, and ordered that the weaker should stay closer to him while the stronger should move further with his men (meaning Ojie-Ekpend should move further). Among them was Okolo, the father Ojie-Amen. However, Okolo could not get to Idoa land [10] .[ citation needed ]

Among Ojie-Ekpende's companions was his wife, Urabi. They settled in this land but later discovered that a group of people were already living there. With Edo people all over the Edo Region he was respected by his group and those he met. Ojie-Ekpende's people were Ojie-Amen, Oghodor, and Okokhun. These men had wives except Ojie-Amen, who lost his father on their way to Odoa. Some months later Ijiekhea, also from Edo, traced his friend Ojie-Ekpende to the land of Odoa. Ojie-Ekpende gave birth to four sons and a daughter by names: Ebe-Ehirakha-Okogimen, Enabohifor, Okpikhor, and Ailmonka while the daughter was named Udumen.[ citation needed ]

Some say that the warrior by name Ijie-Akhea founded Atuogwa and Ofie, though some said that he came with a brother, Ofie.[ citation needed ]

Festivals in Idoa Community

In all of Esan land, festivals are carried out periodically. They are a means to encourage social interaction and to promote unity among the people. [11]

Iluoror Festival, also called the New Yam Festival, is held in February every year and dates back to the beginning of the community. It is held to mark the beginning of the planting season, to appreciate the gods for the success of the last year's planting season, and to appease the gods for strength for the next planting season in ancient times. The first meal is ihihea and it is eaten either with water or yams, after which every household pounds yam and slaughters animals like goats, rams, and cows depending on their financial position. From there, everyone goes to the palace for display of traditional dance according to their groups.

Ilukpe festival

The Ilukpe festival is a thanksgiving festival held annually in June. In this festival, sons and daughters offer thanksgiving to their late fathers. This is normally done on the "eke" (ize) market day. Every first son of the family slaughter's a goat while the woman slaughter's a hen. In a polygamous house, the first son of the late man has to slaughter the goat and send the right leg that contains the tail to the eldest living uncle, while his or her younger siblings will do the same to him. The meat is used for cooking.

Ihaelen Otu (age group naming ceremony)

The Ihaelen Otu Festival is a festival held when the community deems necessary as an initiation into adulthood. The ceremony is carried out to give names to youths in Idoa community that have come of age. Once named, these youths (now classified as adults) are entitled to the same rights as all other adults.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edo State</span> State of Nigeria

Edo, officially known as Edo State, is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of the federal republic of Nigeria. As of 2022, the state was ranked as the 22nd most populous state (4,777,000) in Nigeria. The estimated state population is around 4,777,000 in 2022. Edo State is the 22nd largest State by landmass in Nigeria. The state's capital and largest city, Benin City, is the fourth largest city in Nigeria, and the centre of the country's rubber industry. Created in 1991 from the former Bendel State, it is also known as the heart beat of the nation. Edo State borders Kogi State to the north for 133 km and across the Niger River for 81 km to the northeast, Anambra State to the east for about four km across the Niger River, Delta State to the southeast and south for 350 km, and Ondo State to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esan people</span> Ethnic group in Nigeria

The Esan people are an ethnic group of southern Nigeria who speak the Esan language. The Esan are traditionally known to be agriculturalists, trado-medical practitioners, mercenary warriors and hunters. They cultivate palm trees, Irvingia gabonensis (erhonhiele), Cherry (Otien), bell pepper (akoh) coconut, betel nut, kola nut, black pear, avocado pear, yams, cocoyam, cassava, maize, rice, beans, groundnut, bananas, oranges, plantains, sugar cane, tomato, potato, okra, pineapple, paw paw, and various vegetables.

Christopher G Okojie OFR DSc (1920-2006) was a Nigerian doctor, politician, administrator and historian. He was born in Ugboha, in present-day Edo State, Nigeria. He was leader of the Mid-West Regional House of Assembly from 1964 to 1966. He was a former Health Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1992) and president of the Nigerian Medical Association (1974-1975). As minister, he was instrumental in pushing ahead a National Insurance Health Scheme. He died on October 7, 2006, at the age of 86. During his tenure as minister, he was able to bring roads and bore-hole water to the people of Esan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esan North-East</span> LGA in Edo State, Nigeria

Esan North-East is a Local Government Area located in Edo State of Nigeria. It has an estimated population of 119,346. Its headquarters are in Uromi/Uzea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uromi</span> City in Edo state, Nigeria

Uromi is a city located in north-eastern Esan, a sub-ethnic group of the Edo people in Edo state, Nigeria. At various points in Uromi's history, the city and people have been an important part of the Benin Empire.

Anwain or Anwain Clan is a geographic area in Nigeria and also the people who live in it. Anwain Clan is one of the thirteen clans in Etsakọ land. The geographic area of Anwain is situated in the southern part of Etsakọ West, a local government area of Edo State. It is ward eight among the twelve wards of the Etsakọ local government area. Within Etsakọ West, Anwain is bounded by Ayuele, South Uneme, South Ibie, Ekperi, and Jagbe Clans. It also has boundaries with the clans Uzea and Afuda in the local government areas of Esan-North-East and Esan North Central respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esan Central</span> LGA in Edo State, Nigeria

Esan Central Local Government Area is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its administrative headquarters is located in the town of Irrua.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esan West</span> LGA in Edo State, Nigeria

Esan West is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ekpoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Etsako West</span> LGA in Edo State, Nigeria

Etsako West is a Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Auchi. Etsako West is made up of six clans: Uzairue, Auchi, South Ibie, Anwain, Jagbe and Aviele.

Igueben is a local government area of Edo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are located in the town of Igueben, which has an area of 380 km2 (150 sq mi) and a population of 69,639 according to the 2006 census. The postal code is 310.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Benin</span> West African kingdom (1180–1897)

The Kingdom of Benin, also known as the Edo Kingdom or Benin Kingdom, is a kingdom within what is now southern Nigeria. It has no historical relation to the modern republic of Benin, which was known as Dahomey from the 17th century until 1975. The Kingdom of Benin's capital was Edo, now known as Benin City in Edo State, Nigeria. The Benin Kingdom was "one of the oldest and most developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa". It grew out of the previous Edo Kingdom of Igodomigodo around the 11th century AD, and lasted until it was annexed by the British Empire in 1897.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ekpoma</span> Town in Edo State, Nigeria

Ekpoma is a town in Edo State, Nigeria. It is the administrative headquarters of the Esan West Local Government Area. Ekpoma lies on the geographical coordinate of latitude 6°45′N6°08′E. The town has an official Post Office, and it is home to the Ambrose Alli University. Currently Ekpoma town is developing with major infrastructures, hospitals, schools, modern eateries and roads. The town is also secured.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ewu</span> Town in Edo State, Nigeria

Ewu is a Nigerian town situated in Esan Central Local Government Area in the Edo State of Nigeria. The city, an Esan tribe, lies on 200 feet in the plateau region of central Edo State, 100 kilometres north of Benin City, the capital of Edo State, Nigeria.

Esan is a tonal Edoid language of Nigeria. Dictionaries and grammar texts of the Esan language are being produced. There are many dialects, including Ogwa, Ẹkpoma (Ekuma), Ebhossa (Ewossa), Ewohimi, Ewu, Ewatto, Ebelle, Igueben, Irrua, Ohordua, Uromi, Uzea, Ubiaja and Ugboha.

Ogwa is a town in Esan West Local Government Area in Edo State, Nigeria. It is among the constituent communities of Esanland. The people of Ogwa speak the Esan language. The language of the Esan people shares the same name as the name of the land itself. Esan and Ishan are interchangeably used to refer to the same place, language and people. Ishan is the anglicized variant for Esan. The Ogwa people in Edo State identify themselves as Esan or Ishan people. Ogwa has four clans: Eguare, Ukpogu, Izogen and Eha. These clans are headed by most elderly men in each of them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esanland</span> Cultural Region in Nigeria

Esanland, otherwise known as Esan Nation, is a cultural region located in Edo State, Nigeria. It is composed of five Local Government Areas in Edo State. Esanland lies west of the banks of the Niger River. It is bordered by Kogi State, Delta State, Edo South Senatorial District, and Edo North Senatorial District. Esanland covers about 2,800 square kilometers and is home to over half a million people. The Esan people and culture of Esanland are generally homogenous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clifford Ordia</span> Politician

Clifford Ordia is a Nigerian engineer and politician who hails from Usugbenu Irrua in Esan Central local government area of Edo State. A Senator of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria from 2015-2023,who represented the people of Edo Central senatorial District, Edo State. in the Nigerian Senate and he is a member of the People's Democratic Party, PDP.

Agba N'Ojieof Uromi, originally called Agba, was the ruler of the Esan people from 1483 AD until 1507 AD. He is an important Onojie in the history of the Esan people. He was instrumental in the independence of Esanland from the old Benin Empire. He stopped tributes from Enijies in Esanland from being paid to the Oba of Benin and stopped any appeal cases being taken from Esanland to the Oba's Palace for retrial during the time of Ozolua n'Ibarmoi.

Uokha lies on the latitude 7 07’N and longitude 6 04’E in a deciduous derived rainforest zone of Edo State. The climate is sub humid tropical with an average annual rainfall of about 1967mm. Uokha is a town in Owan East, a local government area of Edo state, Nigeria. It is located about 123 km northwest of Benin city the capital city. It has a population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants.

Agbede is a Muslim town in the Northern part of Edo State. It has been in existence since the 13th century. It is the door way into the North of the State.

References

  1. ↑ idoasky. "IDOA: COMMUNITY: ESAN:WEST:EDO:STATE NIGERIA". Idoa Community, Edo State. Archived from the original on 2018-12-31. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  2. ↑ Ofure, Ikoyo-Eweto Evarista (2016-01-01). "A proposed order of historical emergence of Esan speech varieties". Dialectologia et Geolinguistica. 24 (1): 145–156. doi:10.1515/dialect-2016-0008. ISSN   0942-4040.
  3. ↑ idoasky. "Idoa Community". Idoa Community, Edo State. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  4. ↑ "HISTORY OF ISLAM IN EDO STATE". Social Realities. 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  5. ↑ "HISTORY OF ISLAM IN EDO STATE". Social Realities. 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  6. ↑ "IDOA". www.esanland.org. Archived from the original on 2019-01-03. Retrieved 2018-11-13.
  7. ↑ Omofonmwan, S. I.; Kadiri, M. A. (November 2007). "Evolution and Spread of Settlements in the Esan Area of Edo State". Journal of Human Ecology. 22 (3): 227–233. doi:10.1080/09709274.2007.11906026. ISSN   0970-9274. S2CID   131124861.
  8. ↑ Webster, James B.; Ogbomo, Onaiwu W. (January 1997). "Chronological Problems in C.G. Okojie's Esan Narrative Traditions". History in Africa. 24: 345–362. doi:10.2307/3172035. ISSN   0361-5413. JSTOR   3172035. S2CID   161667141.
  9. ↑ "Brief History Of Esan Culture & People". Archived from the original on 2017-08-08.
  10. ↑ "The History Of Idoa Clan of Edo state". www.edoworld.net. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  11. ↑ Egbefo, Dawood Omolumen (2017). "The role of agriculture in economic development and inter-group relations in pre-colonial esan economy". Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 8 (2): 139. doi:10.5958/2321-5828.2017.00020.1. ISSN   0975-6795.

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