Olukumi people

Last updated
Olukumi
Migration pattern of the Olukumi.jpg
Migration pattern of the Olukumi
Total population
Unknown
Regions with significant populations
Nigeria
Languages
Olukumi(Yoruba)
Religion
Christianity, Traditionalist
Related ethnic groups
Esan, Yoruba

The Olukumi are an ancient Yoruba subgroup indigenous to the Aniocha North area of the Delta State, Nigeria. They originate from Yoruba people and settled in this area long ago. They trace their ancestry to Owo and Akure. The Olukumi occupy eight communities west of the Niger River, and are together known today as the Odiani Clan in Aniomaland.[ citation needed ] Ukwu Nzu town is the historical headquarters of the Olukumi people and is traditionally headed by the Obi of Ukwu Nzu, Agbogidi.[ citation needed ] The present Obi[ when? ] is H.R.M. Obi Ogoh 1.[ citation needed ] Olukumi villages select leaders through the Okpala Obi system, which is the Okpala (gerontocracy).[ citation needed ]

Contents

Geography

The Olukumi are native to an area just west of the Niger River's right bank. The area is rich in chalk and kaolin deposits, which is known as "efun" in Yoruba, and has been traditionally mined and used by the people of the area for various cultural purposes.[ weasel words ][ citation needed ]

Etymology

Road signage showing some Olukumi villages, Aniocha North, Delta State Road sign of some Olukumi villages, Aniocha North, Delta State.jpg
Road signage showing some Olukumi villages, Aniocha North, Delta State

The word Olukumi means "My confidant" or "My friend" in Yoruba Language. [1]

History

According to Odiani oral tradition, the Olukwumi are a blend of aboriginal people from multiple areas in Yoruba land, and few slaves and traders from the Ibo country.[ citation needed ]

According to a report in the Sunday Tribune of October 24, 2010, they have also started to organize recitation and oratory quizzes and competitions in Olukumi to preserve the dialect.[ citation needed ] Linguists are also documenting the language. For 40 years, Chief G. B. Nkemnacho, a lawyer of Olukumi origin, has documented his people's history as told by its elders as life experiences and oral tradition. [2]

Olukumi towns and communities

s/nTownOriginsComment(s)
1Ukwu Nzuand Owo is said to be the political head of the Odiani clan of the Olukumi.[ clarification needed ]
2UgboduTraditional centre of Olukwumi people.[ contradictory ]
3 Ubulubu People from Ugbodu and Ukwu NzuA relatively late Olukumi town said[ by whom? ] to have been founded by some Ugbodu people later joined by others from Ukwu Nzu.[ citation needed ]
4Idumu Ogo
5 Ugboba (Ugbo Oba)
6Ogodor
7Ogbe Onei (Obomkpa)
8Anioma village

Non-Olukumi villages with Olukumi ancestry

s/nTownOriginsComment(s)
9Onichaku (Ubulu Uku)
10Ogbekenu quarters/villages of Onicha-Ugbo

Language

Notable Olukumi people



See also

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References

  1. Adediran, Biodun (1984). "Yoruba ethnic groups or a Yoruba Ethnic Group? A review of the problem of ethnic identification". África. 7 (7): 57–70. doi: 10.11606/issn.2526-303X.v0i7p57-70 .
  2. Nkemnacho, George Benin (October 6, 2023). Olukumi Kingdom: A Peculiar Yoruba Enclave (1st ed.). Nigeria: Page Publishing (published 2023). p. 654. ISBN   979-8889603047.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)