It’s common
knowledge that Ogun State in`the south-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria is a
homeland of people of the Yoruba ethnic group. The Yoruba constitue a very
significant percentage of the state’s over 3 million strong population.
knowledge that Ogun State in`the south-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria is a
homeland of people of the Yoruba ethnic group. The Yoruba constitue a very
significant percentage of the state’s over 3 million strong population.
Yoruba
people of Ogun State include groups such as the Egba, the Ijebu, and the Ikale.
Other tribes in Ogun State include the Awori, the Ilaje, and the Yewa. Most of these
groups speak distinct languages, or rather distinct dialects of the same
language. These ethnicities of Ogun State also have varying history and
accounts of origin, varying cultural norms and traditions, and of course live
in different regions of Ogun State.
people of Ogun State include groups such as the Egba, the Ijebu, and the Ikale.
Other tribes in Ogun State include the Awori, the Ilaje, and the Yewa. Most of these
groups speak distinct languages, or rather distinct dialects of the same
language. These ethnicities of Ogun State also have varying history and
accounts of origin, varying cultural norms and traditions, and of course live
in different regions of Ogun State.
Below we take
a look at the different tribes in Ogun State, where these tribes are found in
Ogun State, brief essays on their accounts of origin, and their population
estimates.
a look at the different tribes in Ogun State, where these tribes are found in
Ogun State, brief essays on their accounts of origin, and their population
estimates.
1. Egba
The Egba
are found majorly in the central part of Ogun State in local government areas
such as Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Ewekoro, Ifo, and Obafemi Owode.
are found majorly in the central part of Ogun State in local government areas
such as Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Ewekoro, Ifo, and Obafemi Owode.
The Egba
were originally under the Oyo empire, but became independent following the
collapse of Oyo in the first half of the 19th century.
were originally under the Oyo empire, but became independent following the
collapse of Oyo in the first half of the 19th century.
The Egba
nation is made up many subdivisions. These subdivisions include the Ake, the
Owu, Oke Ona, and Gbagura, each having its own king.
nation is made up many subdivisions. These subdivisions include the Ake, the
Owu, Oke Ona, and Gbagura, each having its own king.
Famous
figures from the Egba clan include former Nigerian President, Olusegun
Obasanjo, Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, and Afro-beat legend, Fela Ransome
Kuti.
figures from the Egba clan include former Nigerian President, Olusegun
Obasanjo, Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, and Afro-beat legend, Fela Ransome
Kuti.
The Alake
of Egbaland is the most influential tradional ruler of the Egba, however, as
mentioned earlier, each of the subdivisions of the Egbas has its own king.
of Egbaland is the most influential tradional ruler of the Egba, however, as
mentioned earlier, each of the subdivisions of the Egbas has its own king.
2. Ijebu
The Ijebu
claim to be the largest ethnic group in not only Ogun State or the South-west
geopolitical zone but the entire country. They are spread across various
divisions in the eastern part of Ogun State. These divisions include Ijebu Ode,
Ijebu Igbo, Ijebu Ife, Ijebu Ososa and Ijebu Remo.
claim to be the largest ethnic group in not only Ogun State or the South-west
geopolitical zone but the entire country. They are spread across various
divisions in the eastern part of Ogun State. These divisions include Ijebu Ode,
Ijebu Igbo, Ijebu Ife, Ijebu Ososa and Ijebu Remo.
Migration
legend link the Ijebu origin to the biblical Jebusites and Noah. Other
migration legends trace the Ijebu people to Mecca where Oduduwa, the legendary
ancestor of the Yoruba was said to be the son of King Lamurudu. According to
the legend, Oduduwa was expelled from Mecca when he resorted to idolatry.
legend link the Ijebu origin to the biblical Jebusites and Noah. Other
migration legends trace the Ijebu people to Mecca where Oduduwa, the legendary
ancestor of the Yoruba was said to be the son of King Lamurudu. According to
the legend, Oduduwa was expelled from Mecca when he resorted to idolatry.
However, the
migration theory that the Ijebu came to their present location from a region of
Sudan called Owodaiye is preferred by historians.
migration theory that the Ijebu came to their present location from a region of
Sudan called Owodaiye is preferred by historians.
Ijebu Ode
is the capital of Ijebu land, and the Awujale of Ijebuland is the paramount
ruler of the Ijebu people.
is the capital of Ijebu land, and the Awujale of Ijebuland is the paramount
ruler of the Ijebu people.
3. Awori
The Awori
tribe are most famous as one of the indigenous tribes of Lagos State. They are
however also found in Ota, Igbesa, Ilobi, and Tigbo towns mostly in Ado-Odo/Ota
local government area of Ogun State.
tribe are most famous as one of the indigenous tribes of Lagos State. They are
however also found in Ota, Igbesa, Ilobi, and Tigbo towns mostly in Ado-Odo/Ota
local government area of Ogun State.
Legend has
it that the Aworis migrated from Ile-Ife following the lead of a plate to
settle in their present location in Lagos and Ogun States.
it that the Aworis migrated from Ile-Ife following the lead of a plate to
settle in their present location in Lagos and Ogun States.
The Aworis
speak a distinct language, considered to be a dialect of the Yoruba language.
speak a distinct language, considered to be a dialect of the Yoruba language.
Majority of
Aworis combine traditional religious practices with either Christianity or the
Islamic religion.
Aworis combine traditional religious practices with either Christianity or the
Islamic religion.
4. Ilaje
The Ilaje
of Ogun State are found in Ogun Waterside local government area.
of Ogun State are found in Ogun Waterside local government area.
The Ilaje
are said to have left Ile-Ife in the 10th century following a disagreement with
the Yorubas led by Oduduwa, the first king of Ile-Ife.
are said to have left Ile-Ife in the 10th century following a disagreement with
the Yorubas led by Oduduwa, the first king of Ile-Ife.
The Ilaje
occupy the longest coastline in Nigeria. Their sea-savviness and ability to
adapt quickly to changing climatic condition enabled them to conquer their
harsh environment and turn it into a big advantage.
occupy the longest coastline in Nigeria. Their sea-savviness and ability to
adapt quickly to changing climatic condition enabled them to conquer their
harsh environment and turn it into a big advantage.
The Ilaje
speak the Ilaje language, which is considered albeit controversially in some
corners to be a dialect of the Yoruba language.
speak the Ilaje language, which is considered albeit controversially in some
corners to be a dialect of the Yoruba language.
5. Ikale
The Ikale
are found primarily in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State, however
they also contribute a significant percentage of the population of Ogun
Waterside local government area of Ogun State.
are found primarily in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State, however
they also contribute a significant percentage of the population of Ogun
Waterside local government area of Ogun State.
The Ikale
trace their origin to ancient Benin Kingdom.
trace their origin to ancient Benin Kingdom.
The Abodi
of Ikale land is the paramount ruler of all Ikale people.
of Ikale land is the paramount ruler of all Ikale people.
The Ikale
speak the Ikale language, which is regarded by many as a dialect of the Yoruba
language.
speak the Ikale language, which is regarded by many as a dialect of the Yoruba
language.
6. Yewa
The Yewa,
formerly known as the Egbado are one of the largest groups in Ogun State. They
are found in Yewa South, Yewa North, Imeko Afon, and Ipokia local government
areas, and also in some communities in Ado-Odo/Ota and Abeokuta North local
government areas.
formerly known as the Egbado are one of the largest groups in Ogun State. They
are found in Yewa South, Yewa North, Imeko Afon, and Ipokia local government
areas, and also in some communities in Ado-Odo/Ota and Abeokuta North local
government areas.
According
to history, early Yewa settlers were great warriors, hunters and princes who
were said to have migrated from Ketu, Ile-Ife, and Oyo in the 15th, 16th and
17th centuries. Another migration also took place in the 18th and 19th
centuries as a result of Dahomey and Egba invasions of some northern Yewa
towns. These migrations of different groups largely resulted in settlements of
independent kingdoms and chiefdoms of diverse groups that constitute the various
Yewa towns and villages.
to history, early Yewa settlers were great warriors, hunters and princes who
were said to have migrated from Ketu, Ile-Ife, and Oyo in the 15th, 16th and
17th centuries. Another migration also took place in the 18th and 19th
centuries as a result of Dahomey and Egba invasions of some northern Yewa
towns. These migrations of different groups largely resulted in settlements of
independent kingdoms and chiefdoms of diverse groups that constitute the various
Yewa towns and villages.
Yewa people
in recent history are predominantly farmers and traders.
in recent history are predominantly farmers and traders.
There is no
single Yewa language. Yewa land is a multi-language community. These languages
include the Sabe, the Ije, the Ifonyin, Eyo, Egbado, Ketu, Anago, and Egun.
single Yewa language. Yewa land is a multi-language community. These languages
include the Sabe, the Ije, the Ifonyin, Eyo, Egbado, Ketu, Anago, and Egun.
The Olu of
Ilaro is the paramount ruler of the Yewa people.
Ilaro is the paramount ruler of the Yewa people.
There are
over a million Yewa in Ogun State.
over a million Yewa in Ogun State.