Edo people explained

Group:Edo people
Languages:Edo and English
Religions:Predominantly Christianity
Related Groups:Afemai, Esan, Isoko, Urhobo
Total Ref:[1]
Regions:Edo State
Population:10 million

The Edo people, sometimes referred to as the Bendel people,[2] are an Edo-speaking ethnic group.[3] The tribe which is prominent in 8 southern local government areas of the State of Edo, Nigeria, are known as "Edo". They are speakers of the Edo language and are the descendants of the founders of the Benin Kingdom, Ogiso Igodo.[4] They are closely related to other southern Nigerian tribes, such as the Esan, the Etsakọ, the Isoko, the Yoruba, and the Urhobo.[5]

The name "Benin" (and "Bini") is a Portuguese corruption, ultimately from the word "Ubini", which came into use during the reign of Oba (ruler) Ewuare, c. 1440. "Ubini", an Edo word meaning Livable, used by Pa Idu, the progenitor of the Edo people to describe the area found as a Livable Locale, during their sojourn from lower Egypt. Ubini was later corrupted to Benin by the mixed ethnicities living together at the centre; and further corrupted to Benin around 1485, when the Portuguese began trade relations with Oba Ewuare giving them coral beads.[6]

Administrative region

See main article: Edo State. Edo people can be found in Nigeria's Edo State, which got its name from the primary inhabitants of the region's most notable historical conglomeration, Benin City, which is also the central capital homeland of the Edo people. Edo people also have many related groups in their immediate surroundings also encompassed by the political and administrative borders of Edo state.[7] Most of these groups have traced their history back to the historical city center off the Benin people, Benin City. Examples of such adjacent groups include various Afemai sub-groups, the Esan people of Edo state and the Akoko Edo people situated on the state's northern borders.[8]

Edo state was formerly part of the old Bendel state of early post-colonial Nigeria, also known as the Mid-Western Region, Nigeria. This region's influence and culture reflects that of the Edo, Urhobo, Esan and other Edo related peoples.[9]

Fashion

The Edo people have a very rich and flamboyant traditional fashion style. This is usually prominent during ceremonies such as weddings, coronation and the liked. When it comes to cultural attire, the Edo people maintain a unique way of dressing. Coral bead accessories are a true passion for Edo women and men. Common includes coral beads, anklets, raffia work and so on.[10] The men usually wear a white T-shirt or shirt and above it, a multicolored striped fabric. There are options with other patterns. The choice of headdress depends on the preferences of a man. Some men even prefer to wear black hats as part of their traditional attire.

It is also popular to choose a carved walking stick that makes a groom look like a true gentleman. Wearing a wrapper around the waist is also a tradition for many men.

The cultural attire is usually accompanied by a cap or hat. The caps are often called headdress and are made either of a mesh of coral beads or of fabric.

The women tie beautiful wrappers made from a variety of fabrics including Velvet, lace and george. They also wear the Ewu-ivie, a beaded cape or blouse. Women adorn their necks with coral beads known as Ivie-uru and wear the Ivie-obo on their hands and beaded earrings. Their handbag is made out of coral beads as well the Ekpa-ivie. [11]

Traditional beliefs

See also: Osanobua. In the traditional religion of the Edo, there exists, besides the human world, an invisible world of supernatural beings acting as interceders for the human world. Offerings are made to them in their respective shrines. Osanobua is the creator and Supreme God. His son/daughter Olokun is ruler of all bodies of water and is responsible for the prosperity and fertility of his/her human followers. Another son Ogun, is the patron god of metalworkers. The epithet Osanobua Noghodua mean God Almighty. The word Osanobua encompasses a large number of divine principles - including the divine state of being merciful, timeless, goodness, justice, sublimity, and supreme. In the Edo belief system, Osanobua has the divine attributes of omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence . The Supreme Deity is believed to be present everywhere and at all times.[12] [13]

Art and architecture

See main article: Art of the Kingdom of Benin. Traditional Edo art consists of widely identifiable sculptures, plaques and masks which reflect various spiritual and historical aspects of their cultural traditions. Some of the notable Edo art pieces include the mask of the Queen Mother Idia and a vast collection of historical Edo art pieces called the Benin Bronzes which can be found not only in Nigeria but further dispersed around the world, including in museums such as New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.[14]

Notable Edo people

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Shoup III, John A. . Ethnic Groups of Africa and the Middle East: An Encyclopedia: An Encyclopedia . 2011 . ABC-CLIO . 9781598843637 . 130.
  2. Web site: Edo Benin City, Igarra, Uzebba Britannica . 2024-07-04 . www.britannica.com . en.
  3. Web site: Who are the Edo people? . 2024-07-04 . www.edoworld.net.
  4. Web site: History . Benin . The Ogiso Era . 2024-06-17 . Benin History . en-CA.
  5. Web site: Édo – esd30plus . 2022-08-15 . en-US.
  6. Web site: 2019-10-26. Yoruba leaders disagree over origin, meaning of their name. 2021-02-03. Vanguard News. en-US.
  7. Web site: Edo people. 2021-07-09. Encyclopedia Britannica. en.
  8. Web site: Koutonin. Mawuna. 2016-03-18. Story of cities #5: Benin City, the mighty medieval capital now lost without trace. 2021-07-09. The Guardian. en.
  9. News: Edo state, Nigeria. en. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2021-07-09.
  10. Benin dressing in contemporary Nigeria: social change and the crisis of cultural identity. African Identities. 2005. 3. 2. 155–170. 10.1080/14725840500235506. Okpokunu. Edoja. Agbontaen-Eghafona. Kokunre A.. Ojo. Pat O.. 143668454.
  11. Web site: Edo Cultural Attire . 2024-07-07 . Power of Africa.
  12. Peavy, Daryl, Kings, Magic, and Medicine, p. 5, https://books.google.com/books?id=EgqwAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA5
  13. Paula Ben-Amos, Flora Edouwaye S. Kaplan: Edo Religion. In: Lindsay Jones: Encyclopedia of Religion. Thomson-Gale, 2005.
  14. Web site: Queen Mother Pendant Mask: Iyoba . 2023-01-25 . www.metmuseum.org.
  15. Web site: 2019-10-18. Oba Ewuare II: A quintessential monarch at 66. 2021-07-12. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. en-US.
  16. Web site: 2021-07-10. No going back on return of artefacts to the palace — Oba Ewuare II. 2021-07-12. Vanguard News. en-US.
  17. Web site: 2021-03-13. Sir Victor Uwaifo... My journey to stardom, greatness. 2021-07-12. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. en-US.
  18. Web site: 2021-04-04. I almost died of electrocution on stage in 1969 – Sir Victor Uwaifo. 2021-07-12. Punch Newspapers. en-US.
  19. Web site: Peter Odemwingie Profile, News & Stats Premier League. 2021-07-12. www.premierleague.com. en.
  20. Web site: 2019-11-21. Nigerian filmmaker, Charles Novia, floats Teen TV channel. 2021-07-12. en-GB.
  21. Web site: 2014-12-03. Oshodin formally hands over to new Uniben VC. 2021-07-12. Vanguard News. en-US.
  22. Web site: 2015-02-27. OSHODIN: A Study In University Administration. 2021-07-12. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. en-US.
  23. Web site: 2020-03-15. Archbishop Idahosa told me about his death – Oyakhilome. 2021-07-12. Vanguard News. en-US.
  24. Web site: Amazon.com. 2021-07-12. www.amazon.com. en-us.
  25. Web site: 2020-11-02. Pinnick describes Samuel Ogbemudia stadium as 'world class'. 2021-07-12. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. en-US.
  26. Web site: 2017-03-26. TRIBUTE: Samuel Ogbemudia: The man who gave his people swagger Premium Times Nigeria. 2021-07-12. en-GB.
  27. Web site: 2020-12-16. APC leaders appoint Oyegun chairman South-south 'reconciliation team'. 2021-07-12. en-GB.
  28. Web site: Ikpeba: Where does the Prince of Monaco belong among Nigeria's greats? Goal.com. 2021-07-12. www.goal.com.
  29. Web site: 2021-06-12. Happy Birthday, Victor Ikpeba!. 2021-07-12. AS Monaco. en-US.
  30. Web site: Godwin Obaseki, State of Edo Nigeria: Profile and Biography . 2021-07-12. www.bloomberg.com.
  31. Web site: Chief Gabriel Igbinedion Archives. 2021-07-12. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. en-US. 12 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210712191540/https://t.guardian.ng/tag/chief-gabriel-igbinedion/. dead.
  32. Web site: 2020-01-05. Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae; Unforgettable master of African art. 2021-07-12. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. en-US.
  33. Web site: 2021-06-21. I have no problem with Mercy Aigbe, says estranged husband. 2021-07-12. Punch Newspapers. en-US.
  34. Web site: 2015-03-31. The 2014 National Conference: Looking back, looking forward. 2021-07-12. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. en-US.
  35. Web site: 2021-11-14 . Nigerian Canadian author Jane Igharo heads back home for her latest novel, about a family and a funeral. . 2022-10-20 . thestar.com . en.
  36. Web site: Prof Osasere Orumwense Archives. 2021-07-12. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. en-US. 12 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210712193141/https://guardian.ng/tag/prof-osasere-orumwense/. dead.
  37. Web site: Suyi Davies Okungbowa. 2021-07-12. www.amazon.com. en-us.
  38. Eisenhofer. Stefan. January 1995. The Origins of the Benin Kingship in the Works of Jacob Egharevba. History in Africa. en. 22. 141–163. 10.2307/3171912. 3171912. 161445279 . 0361-5413.
  39. Web site: 2012-12-12. Book Serial: Ile-Ife: City of 201 gods (2). 2021-07-12. Vanguard News. en-US.
  40. Web site: MC Edo Pikin Recounts Successes and Achievements as He Plans into the other Half of the Year – THISDAYLIVE . 2023-01-27 . www.thisdaylive.com.

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