Tuomo Town

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Tuomo Town
Town
Tuom Town Water Front.jpg
Tuomo Town waterfront
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Tuomo Town
Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 5°06′33″N5°52′44″E / 5.10917°N 5.87889°E / 5.10917; 5.87889
CountryNigeria
StateDelta State
Local Government AreaBurutu
Time zone UTC+1 (WAT)

Tuomo Town is a riverine settlement in the Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. It serves as the headquarters of the Tuomo Clan, one of the major clans of the Ijaw people in the Niger Delta region. [1] Located along the Forcados River, known locally by the Ijaws as Boloutoru, Tuomo Town is historically a hub of fishing, canoe transportation, and subsistence farming. [2] The town is also noted for its traditional festivals, cultural heritage, and role in Niger Delta politics.2

Contents

Geography

Tuomo Town lies on the banks of the Forcados River, a distributary of the Niger River. [2] The settlement is made up of three main quarters: Foukonou, Akerebunu and Ekeremobiri. Other towns in the Tuomo clan include Bolou-Tebegbe and Bolou-Tamigbe, which later gave rise to Toru-Tebegbe and Toru-Tamigbe in their present settlements along the creek, as well as Torugbene. Ogbobagbene also originated from Akerebunu in Tuomo before relocating due to fishing activities. [1]

History

The Tuomo Clan traces its origins to the Ijaw ethnic nationality, one of the largest ethnic groups in the Niger Delta. [1] The town has long been a center for canoe building, fishing, and trade along the creeks. [2] In modern times, Tuomo and its surrounding communities have been impacted by oil exploration and environmental challenges in the Niger Delta. [3]

Culture and Tradition

The Tuomo people are predominantly Ijaw and celebrate traditional festivals linked to fishing, harvest, and river deities. [1] These include cultural dances, masquerades, and oral storytelling, which remain important aspects of their identity. Traditional leadership is provided through clan chiefs and community elders, who oversee customary laws and cultural preservation. [2]

Economy

The economy of Tuomo Town is mainly based on fishing, farming, and small-scale trading. [4] The abundance of rivers and creeks makes fishing the most dominant occupation. In recent decades, oil exploration in nearby areas has introduced both development opportunities and environmental degradation, affecting local livelihoods. [3] 3

Notable People

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Alagoa, E.J. (2005). A History of the Niger Delta. Port Harcourt: Onyoma Research Publications.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Talbot, P.A. (1967). Peoples of Southern Nigeria. London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd.
  3. 1 2 Obi, C.I. (2010). Oil extraction, dispossession, resistance, and conflict in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. Canadian Journal of Development Studies, 30(1-2), 219–236.
  4. "Atiku, Oborevwori, Diri, monarchs, eulogize King Taibai on 5th coronation anniversary". Vanguard Nigeria. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  5. Channels Television (2015). Profile of Godsday Orubebe. Channels TV. Retrieved 17 September 2025.

Etymology

The etymology of the word Tuomo (Tuama) means 'grass town' and was the name accorded to the town due to it high level of grasses during the time of settlement.

References

  1. "swaghood.blogspot.com". swaghood.blogspot.com.