Ikwerre people explained

Group:IKWERRE
Regions:Rivers State, Nigeria
Langs:Ikwerre
Native Name:Iwhuruọha
Native Name Lang:Iwhuruọha
Religions:Christianity, Omenali
Population:2,000,000
Related Groups:Ogba people, Ekpeye, Etche, Abua, Kalabari, Ọhaji, Ngwa

The Ikwerre (natively known as Iwhuruọhna) is an ethnic group in Rivers State, Nigeria.[1] [2] The Ikwerre ethnic group in Rivers State, spans over four Local Government Areas; Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor, Ikwerre, and Emohua.. Pockets of the Ikwerre are found in Ohaji-Egbema LGA of Imo State.

Traditional history has classified Ikwerre into seven groups called "Ikwerre Essa". They are Elele, Isiokpo, Rumuji, Emohua, Choba, Aluu, Igwuruta and Obio group. This division was first documented by Forde and Jones; (1950) in their ethnographic study of the native languages and peoples of South-Eastern Nigeria. It was also in line with this grouping those seven customary Courts were established in Ikwerre during the Colonial administration. These Courts were located at Elele, Isiokpo, Rumuji, Emohua, Choba, Aluu and Obio in Ikwerreland.[3]

Geography and cultural grouping

The Ikwerre inhabit the upland part of Rivers State. and are predominantly settled in the Ikwerre, Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt and Emohua local government areas[4] of Rivers State.

The Ikwerre cultural area is bordered by Ogba to the northwest, the Ekpeye and Abua to the west, the Ijoid groups of Degema, the Kalabari and Okrika to the south, the Eleme and Oyigbo to the southeastand the Etche to the east.[5]

The Ikwerre are made up of four main groups, namely the Elele group (Ishimbam), the Igwuruta-Aluu (Ishiali) group, the Rumuji-Emohua-Ogbakiri (REO) or Risimini group, and the OPA group (Obio/Port Harcourt/Akpor).[6]

The Ishimbam[7] or Elele clan cluster is located at the northern part of Ikwerre land, in Ikwerre and Emohua Local Government Areas. Most of these communities believe in one ancestor called "Ochichi" whose descendants founded most of the clans.Elele is believed to have been founded by "Ele", Ochichi's first son.This is why Elele is called Okaniali among the Ishimbam clans.The Ishimbam clans include:Elele,Akpabu,Elele-Alimini,Egbeda,Omerelu,Apani,Ubimini andOmudioga.[8] The Ishiali or Esila group inhabit the remaining parts of Ikwerre Local Government Area. Clans here include:Isiokpo,Ipo,Igwuruta-Ali,Aluu,Omuanwa,Omademe,Omagwa,Ozuoha andUbima.[8]

The REO (Rumuji/Emohua/Ogbakiri) cluster, or (R)Ishimini (as classified by Ogbakor Ikwerre), inhabit the southern part of Emohua Local Government Area. They are located in a riverine area. This cluster comprises:

The OPA (Obio-Port Harcourt-Akpor) is a broad cluster that occupies the entire Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas. It is subdivided into the Obio and the Akpor groups.

Origin

The ancestral name of the Ikwerre people is Iwhruọnha in Ikwerre language. The name of the grand ancestor is Akalaka and their relations in Rivers State are the Ekpeye and Ogba people. The paramount rulers in Ikwerre Land are united in what is known as Ogbakor Ikwerre, which was formed in 1963 as an umbrella socio-cultural organization of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality. [9]

The identity of the Ikwerre people is disputed by several history scholars who insist that they are Igbos. However, both the Ikwerre people of Rivers State and their neighbours agree that they are a distinct independent group with linguistic and cultural similarity with the Igbos due to proximity, trade and marriage. The Ikwerre people were recognized in 1979 as a separate group in the Nigerian Constitution.

After Nigeria/Biafra civil war, Eric Amadi in his article titled, "History Of Ikwerre People In Nigeria noted that some of the Ikwerre settlements have their roots from the Benin kingdom which is disputed by many Ikwerre people who trace their roots from Aro confederacy and other parts of Igbo hinterland.

[10] As expected of pre-literate African societies, the history of the people is wrapped in myth and mystery. This presupposes that historians may have to resort to oral tradition for the justifiable/credible construction of the people's history. The works of popular Ikwerre novelist and playwright Professor Elechi Amadi, especially The Concubine, The Great Ponds, The Slave (novels) and Isiburu (a verse play) literary gives a clear history of the Ikwerre people and their Igboid cultures and traditions.[11]

According to Prof. Eric Amadi in his article titled, "History Of Ikwerre People In Nigeria, He noted that some of the Ikwerre settlements have their roots from the old Benin Empire.[12]

Establishments in Ikwerre land

"The acquisition of Ikwerre land began in 1913 by the British colonial government when it acquired a parcel of land from the Rebisi clan of Diobu because the then colonial government wanted to develop a harbor in the area. Once the sea port was established, the place became busy with commerce and trade and with a beehive of activities.[13]

In recent times, as the tempo of oil and gas exploration increased in Rivers State, it invariably put more pressure on Ikwerre land and its resources. As land was needed for development purposes within Port Harcourt and its environs, it was natural to turn to Ikwerre people who inhabit Port Harcourt and the surrounding territories.[14]

Leadership structure

The Ikwerre exist in well-delineated clans, with each clan having its own paramount king. The Ikwerre do not have an overall paramount ruler or king, but designated kings, rulers or leaders mostly approved by their constituents. However, all paramount rulers in Ikwerre are united in what is known as Ogbakor Ikwerre, which was formed in 1963 as an umbrella socio-cultural organization of the Ikwerre people.[15]

Ikwerre land and industrial activities

The Ikwerre play host to several multinational oil-producing and servicing companies, in addition to many other industries and establishments.[16] [17] Despite these, the Ikwerre, like nearly all other minorities of the Niger Delta, frequently complain of marginalisation by the oil operatives.[18]

"The Ikwerre community faced problems of marginalization, extreme poverty and environmental degradation of its land and rivers in the Niger Delta through the exploitation of oil and gas resources. Calls were made for the full participation of the Ikwerre people in the control of resources and decision-making on development; the urgent provision of electricity; improved health care and education services; and youth employment opportunities."[19] [20]

Notable people

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History of Ikwerre people in Nigeria. Amadi. Prof. Eric. 20 June 2018. Edo World.
  2. Web site: History of Iwhnurọhna (The Ikwerre People). CHIMENUM. AKANINWOR ISAAC. 11 July 2018. Ikwerre TV.
  3. Web site: IKWERRE LANGUAGE CURRICULUM AT THE PRIMARY SCHOOL LEVEL: AN EXAMINATION. Dr. (Mrs.) Joy Agumagu and Dr. Paul B. Badey - PDF Free Download. 2021-09-10. docplayer.net.
  4. Web site: Nigeria: Administrative Division (States and Local Government Areas) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map . 2022-03-13 . www.citypopulation.de.
  5. Ikunga . Solomon . 2018 . The Interrogating Role of Iwhuruohna in Rivers State during the Nigerian Civil War 1967 - 1970: A Historical Imperative . ARCN International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities . 12 . 2 .
  6. Web site: HARMONIZING THE HISTORICAL ORIGIN OF THE IKWERRE PEOPLE by Onyeji Nnaji. 28 July 2020. 2021-07-11. en-GB.
  7. Book: Alfred., Wosa. The people and community of Ishimbam : origin and culture. 2004. Artistic Club of Omudioga. 62272379.
  8. Ikunga, Solomon (2018). "7". In Bassey Anam (ed.)."The Development of Indigenous Technology in Iwhuruohna 1500–2000: A Historical Imperative".Arts, Technology & Development Patterns. Nigeria: Advanced Publishers. pp. 87–114..
  9. Book: Kelechukwu U. Ihemere . A Tri-Generational Study of Language Choice & Shift in Port Harcourt . Universal-Publishers . 2007 . 9781581129588 . 26–35.
  10. Chinda . C. Izeoma . 5 June 2017 . Ikwerre Intergroup Relations and its Impact on Their Culture . African Research Review . 11 . 2 . 83 . 10.4314/afrrev.v11i2.7 . free.
  11. Chinda . Izeoma . 2017 . Ikwerre Intergroup Relations and its Impact on Their Culture . African Research Review . 11 . 2 . 83 . 10.4314/afrrev.v11i2.7 . 2070-0083 . free.
  12. Web site: History Of Ikwerre People In Nigeria . 2023-05-01 . www.edoworld.net.
  13. Chinwo. Chukwuemeka. EIGHT Compulsory Acquisition of Land: The Ikwerre Experience.
  14. Web site: Port Harcourt Location, Facts, & Population. 2021-07-11. Encyclopedia Britannica. en.
  15. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada (1998). "The Ikwerre ethnic group: location of residence, language, political or cultural organizations, militant activities, arrests in 1996 and 1997, and relations with the Nigerian government and military". Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria
  16. Web site: 2017-10-31 . Crisis looms in Rivers community over oil firms . 2022-03-10 . Vanguard News . en-US.
  17. Web site: NGstudents. 2020-08-01. EDITORIAL: 10 Historical Facts Proving Ikwerre People As Igbos. 2021-07-11. NGstudents.com. en.
  18. Web site: 2020-05-05 . Come to our rescue, Ubima community begs Wike, Ameachi over alleged marginalisation by oil firms . 2022-03-10 . Vanguard News . en-US.
  19. Web site: The Ikwerre ethnic group: location of residence, language, political or cultural organizations, militant activities, arrests in 1996 and 1997, and relations with the Nigerian government and military . Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada . Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria . 1998.
  20. Web site: Report of the Working Group on Minorities on its tenth session (Geneva, 1-5 March 2004).
  21. Web site: Elechi Amadi Nigerian writer. 2021-04-12. Encyclopedia Britannica. en.
  22. Book: Kalu., Ogbaa. The Nigerian Americans. 2003. Greenwood Press. 0-313-31964-2. 59308254.

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