Edo state is truly the heart beat of the
nation, a people with a beautiful thriving culture and diverse ethnic groups.
The state is in
mid western Nigeria, with a population of 3 million people. The state has four
major ethnic groups and a host of other small communities. It is bordered
by Kogi state to the North, Delta State to the East and South, Ekiti and Ondo
States to the West. The capital of Edo state is Benin city.
nation, a people with a beautiful thriving culture and diverse ethnic groups.
The state is in
mid western Nigeria, with a population of 3 million people. The state has four
major ethnic groups and a host of other small communities. It is bordered
by Kogi state to the North, Delta State to the East and South, Ekiti and Ondo
States to the West. The capital of Edo state is Benin city.
The cultural heritage of the people of Edo state are quite intense and can never
be fully explained in a small writeup like mine, so this only serves as a peek
into the varying heritage of the beautiful
people of the state
be fully explained in a small writeup like mine, so this only serves as a peek
into the varying heritage of the beautiful
people of the state
Bini Tribe
Bini people speak the Bini language,
which is a Kwa-Niger Congo Language. The name Bini is coined from Benin, the capital of the ancient Bini empire which now serves as
the state’s capital. Bini people have the most intricate
and complex dress cultures made obvious by the assortment of beads (Coral bead
been the most used) embroidery that adorned there dresses. Other fashion accessories
include bangles, anklets, body marks and so on. The Oba of Benin is the paramount ruler of the Bini.
The name Oba was first introduced by Oba Eweka 1, the kingdoms first Oba. The
occupation of the Bini people in time past up till date is art and
craftsmanship. In ancient times they were the administrative arm of the entire
region working as military generals to the Oba of Benin. Bini people
boast of many festivals and a rich cultural heritage most expressed in their craftsmanship. Christianity is
dominant among the
Binis even if Traditional religion is somewhat mixed up
with Christianity sometimes by the people.
which is a Kwa-Niger Congo Language. The name Bini is coined from Benin, the capital of the ancient Bini empire which now serves as
the state’s capital. Bini people have the most intricate
and complex dress cultures made obvious by the assortment of beads (Coral bead
been the most used) embroidery that adorned there dresses. Other fashion accessories
include bangles, anklets, body marks and so on. The Oba of Benin is the paramount ruler of the Bini.
The name Oba was first introduced by Oba Eweka 1, the kingdoms first Oba. The
occupation of the Bini people in time past up till date is art and
craftsmanship. In ancient times they were the administrative arm of the entire
region working as military generals to the Oba of Benin. Bini people
boast of many festivals and a rich cultural heritage most expressed in their craftsmanship. Christianity is
dominant among the
Binis even if Traditional religion is somewhat mixed up
with Christianity sometimes by the people.
Afemai Tribe
The Afemai people are found in the northern part of Edo state in 6 LGAs namely: Etsako West, with
headquarters in Auchi, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Owan East, Owan West and
Akoko Edo. They are also known as the Ivibiosakon people. They are made of
several clans and were said to have migrated from Benin during the rule of a tyrant
called Oba Ewuare. The main occupation of the people are fishing and farming
but in history they were the dental practitioners to the Oba of benin, hence the
name Ivibiosakon. The Afemais are still very much traditionalists even if
Christianity and Islamic religion is gaining grounds in the region.
headquarters in Auchi, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Owan East, Owan West and
Akoko Edo. They are also known as the Ivibiosakon people. They are made of
several clans and were said to have migrated from Benin during the rule of a tyrant
called Oba Ewuare. The main occupation of the people are fishing and farming
but in history they were the dental practitioners to the Oba of benin, hence the
name Ivibiosakon. The Afemais are still very much traditionalists even if
Christianity and Islamic religion is gaining grounds in the region.
Akoko Edo Tribe
This is a tribe as well as a LGA in Edo
state. The population of Akoko Edo is estimated to be about 262,110
people. Igarra is a popular town in the region and also doubles as the
headquarters of the tribe. The Akoko Edo people speak the Igarra language and
are basically Christians with a trace of traditional practices.
state. The population of Akoko Edo is estimated to be about 262,110
people. Igarra is a popular town in the region and also doubles as the
headquarters of the tribe. The Akoko Edo people speak the Igarra language and
are basically Christians with a trace of traditional practices.
Esan Tribe
Esan Tribe is located to the south of Benin
City, with a population estimate of about 1 million people; it is quite a large
tribe. The Esan tribe are indigenous to about 5 LGAs namely: Esan
North-East, Esan Central, Esan West, Esan South East and Igueben. The Esans
speak different dialectal variations of the Edo language. The Esans are mainly
involved in agriculture especially in the planting of Rubber trees. The Esans
are mainly Christians and particularly love the dish pounded yam and ogbono
soup. Population estimate of the Esans is about 1.5 million.
City, with a population estimate of about 1 million people; it is quite a large
tribe. The Esan tribe are indigenous to about 5 LGAs namely: Esan
North-East, Esan Central, Esan West, Esan South East and Igueben. The Esans
speak different dialectal variations of the Edo language. The Esans are mainly
involved in agriculture especially in the planting of Rubber trees. The Esans
are mainly Christians and particularly love the dish pounded yam and ogbono
soup. Population estimate of the Esans is about 1.5 million.
Emai Tribe
This tribe is actually a small one. They inhabit part of the Afemai in
the northwest part of Edo state especially in Owan east LGA. The people speak a
varied
dialect of the Edo( Bini) language. They also practice Christianity even if
traditional practices are still quite the norm. some of the villages in this
region include: Uanhumi, Afuze, Okpokhumi, Ugboa, Ojavun etc The Emais are
mainy farmers in both cultivation of crops and livestock. History has it that
they originated from a man called Imaran who was born in ancient Benin and then
son of the eldest son of the king at that time.
the northwest part of Edo state especially in Owan east LGA. The people speak a
varied
dialect of the Edo( Bini) language. They also practice Christianity even if
traditional practices are still quite the norm. some of the villages in this
region include: Uanhumi, Afuze, Okpokhumi, Ugboa, Ojavun etc The Emais are
mainy farmers in both cultivation of crops and livestock. History has it that
they originated from a man called Imaran who was born in ancient Benin and then
son of the eldest son of the king at that time.
Ijaw Tribe
The ever vibrant Ijaws are also found in parts of Edo
state.
They
make up the clans of Furupagha, Olodiama East and West and Ukomu in the
southwestern parts of Edo state. These towns are not all in an area but are
scattered in small communities and each speak a different variation of the ijaw
language. The Ijaws in this area are both fishermen and farmers. The ijaws in Edo state are also mostly Christians
like their counterparts in other states.
state.
They
make up the clans of Furupagha, Olodiama East and West and Ukomu in the
southwestern parts of Edo state. These towns are not all in an area but are
scattered in small communities and each speak a different variation of the ijaw
language. The Ijaws in this area are both fishermen and farmers. The ijaws in Edo state are also mostly Christians
like their counterparts in other states.