| Group: | Olukumi |
| Population: | Unknown |
| Popplace: | Nigeria |
| Languages: | Olukumi(Yoruba) |
| Religions: | Christianity, Traditionalist |
| Related: | 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. Ukwu Nzu town is the historical headquarters of the Olukumi people and is traditionally headed by the Obi of Ukwu Nzu, Agbogidi. The present Obi is H.R.M. Obi Ogoh 1. Olukumi villages select leaders through the Okpala Obi system, which is the Okpala (gerontocracy).
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.
The word Olukumi is said by some to mean "My confidant" or "My friend" in Yoruba Language
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.
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. 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.[1]
| s/n | Town | Origins | Comment(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ukwu Nzu | and Owo is said to be the political head of the Odiani clan of the Olukumi. | ||
| 2 | Ugbodu | Traditional centre of Olukwumi people. | ||
| 3 | Ubulubu | People from Ugbodu and Ukwu Nzu | A relatively late Olukumi town said to have been founded by some Ugbodu people later joined by others from Ukwu Nzu. | |
| 4 | Idumu Ogo | |||
| 5 | Ugboba (Ugbo Oba) | |||
| 6 | Ogodor | |||
| 7 | Ogbe Onei (Obomkpa) | |||
| 8 | Anioma village |
| s/n | Town | Origins | Comment(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Onichaku (Ubulu Uku) | ||
| 10 | Ogbekenu quarters/villages of Onicha-Ugbo |
See main article: Olukumi language.