Edited by Azizi Powell
This post provides excerpts of a nairaland.com discussion entitled "Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean?" That ten page discussion began in 2010 and continued until 2013. This post highlights selected comments from 2010 only.
"Naira" is a contemporary referent for Nigeria, West African and for Nigerians. It appears to me that a more common form of that term is "Naija".
I've taken the liberty to document these comments for historical, folkloric, and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/examples-of-putdowns-insults-in-2015.html for a related pancocojams post entitled "Examples Of Putdowns (Insults) In A 2015 Nairaland.com Discussion Thread">
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BACKGROUND: INFORMATION ABOUT DELTA STATE, NIGERIA
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_State
"Delta or Delta State is an oil and agricultural producing state of Nigeria, situated in the region known as the South-South geo-political zone with a population of 4,098,291... The capital city is Asaba, located at the northern end of the state, with an estimated area of 762 square kilometres (294 sq mi), while Warri is the economic nerve center of the state and also the most populated located in the southern end of the state. The state has a total land area of 16,842 square kilometres (6,503 sq mi).
History
Delta State was carved out of the former Bendel State on August 27, 1991. The state was created following agitations for the creation of a separate distinct state by the peoples of the old Delta Province: the Urhobos, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ijaw and Ukwuani (later joined Anioma). There was yet another state creation movement designated as "Niger State" comprising the old midwestern Igbo-speaking Asaba divisions and Ukwuani-speaking Aboh division of the old Midwest region. This was transformed into "Anioma" following the creation of Niger State from the old Northwestern State by the Murtala Muhammed's administration in 1976. The then Military President, Gen Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd) created the state using the name "Delta" advanced by Niger Delta region and "Asaba" a prominent town within the "Anioma" axis as capital. Asaba was designated as capital of the proposed Anioma State. The proposed capital was a virgin land or "Anioma city" in the heart of the two constituent divisions that had evolved to become the Anioma area. Delta state was once integrated in the Mid Western state from 1963 to 1976 and later Bendel state, from 1976 to 1991. The name "Bendel" (Ben-Del) coined from the old Benin and Delta Provinces of Western Region-Delta to reflect the integration of Benin and Delta provinces.
Demographics
Delta State is ethnically diverse with peoples and seven major languages and dialects are spoken in the state. The state is divided into two regions on account of state creation movements (between 1976 and 1996) which was a feature of the military governance of Nigeria. This culminated to the increment of states in Nigeria from 12 states to the present 36 states.
The first group are Anioma (Igboid group) which consists of Aniocha/Oshimili, Ndokwa/Ukwuani ethnic nationality, and Ika. These areas occupy the Delta North senatorial district of the state.
The second group comprises Urhobo/Isoko (Edoid group), Itsekiri (Yoruboid group), and Ezon ethnic groups. These ethnic groups occupy the Central and South Senatorial districts of the state. The Urhobo and Isoko speak very similar dialects unlike the Ezon and Itsekiri people but have a loosely related culture as they traded and intermarried for centuries before colonization. Most inhabitants of the state practice Christianity and very few traditional faiths."...
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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/examples-of-putdowns-insults-in-2015.html for a closely related pancocojams post entitled "Examples Of Putdowns (Insults) In A 2015 Nairaland.com Discussion Thread".
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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM A NAIRALAND.COM DISCUSSION ENTITLED "DELTA IGBO, BENDEL IGBO: WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN
This post features only a very small number of comments from this discussion from 2010. The discussion is actually ten pages from 2010 to 2013.
DISCLAIMER: This compilation doesn't mean that other comments in that discussion from 2010 aren't equally as worthy of being documented and shared.
As an African American with no (known) Nigerian descent, I take no position on the issues that are presented in this discussion.
Note: In this pancocojams post quotes from other commenters are given in italics. I've assigned numbers to these selected comments for referencing purposes only.
[UPDATED with additional comments -June 10, 2016]
From http://www.nairaland.com/458875/delta-igbo-bendel-igbo-what/1
1. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by AndreUweh(m): 7:48pm On Jun 12, 2010
"Chinenye, with due respect to you, I do not intend to insult you. If you find my post to you offensive, then I hereby apologise. I still maintain that most of the issues raised and questions asked is for our brothers across the Niger.
One of them came here spilling crap how they are not one with their brothers across the east. I strongly feel she and some of them with same belief should defend their bloody 'ass'ez'.
I strongly believe that if someone from Delta Igbo region tells me that he is not too sure if he is Igbo because when his father died, they buried him facing Bini. To me that person has an identity crises.
This thread is inviting them to come and clarify their identity. Not those who do not have identity crises such as Ngwa people. Unless you have such, which I doubt.
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2. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by ChinenyeN(m): 7:55pm On Jun 12, 2010
"No worries, Andre, and thanks for clarifying."
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Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by udezue(m): 9:16pm On Jun 12, 2010
3. "Chinyen,
Ur question makes it seem like only far East Igbos are the only asserting their Igboness. The last time I checked Ohanaeze is headed by an Igbo from Delta so please was the position imposed on him by Igbos in the far East? In our organization we have Delta Igbo and Ikwerre members and thanx to that we are actually going to meet with an Ikwerre group for some support so tell me is that an imposition? When u ask if its cultural or political are u being silly or serious? If you are black and you are denying being black most black people will vehemently show their disapproval just for the fact that u are clearly black so I don't know what u mean by that. There is no motivation to me. If ur name is Igbo and u speak an Igboid dialect u are simply Igbo of whatever extraction. Just like some1 pointed out that if u move to even Alaska and ur Igbo undergoes some changes u are still Igbo regardless."
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4. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by ChinenyeN(m): 9:44pm On Jun 12, 2010
"Ugh. All these neck-breaking speeches for two simple questions. . ."
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5. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by AndreUweh(m): 10:23pm On Jun 12, 2010
rhymz:
This thread is already heaving with repititive lethargic questions. Where are the so-called delta igbo, ikwere igbo and bendel igbo let us hear their own perspective, no need asking thesame questions in different form and going round and round, it is kind of childish, boring and lacks intellectual dynamism. All we have been doing so far is giving similar answers to a recurring but thesame lame question and quite frankly, it is boring and tiring.
"My wife is Rivers Igbo from Ikwerre. She as well as her family are proud Igbo."
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6. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by rhymz(m): 10:52pm On Jun 12, 2010
Andre
Thank you very much for re-asserting that jare. That is exactly my point, people who have a better understanding of their ancestral history don't spend time splitting hair and making statements that wreaks of insecurity or not being sure of your root. It is just like the arguement of some ppl black ppl taking offense when you address them as African Americans, they would rather you called them black Americans but that does not take away the facts that they actually ve their roots in Africa and so are Africans.
"Until recently, I did not my neighbour was igbo, the ones in the boarder between enugu and benue, the wife was clearly benue but the husband I was not sure. Not until he had boy child and named him chukwuemeka, I asked him and he told me he was igbo, I did not believe until I heard him one speak his local dialect to a relation did not sound like your normal anambra or imo states igbo but it had many igbo elements in it. And funny enough, the man could speak the general igbo lang very well too."
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7. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by AndreUweh(m): 11:10pm On Jun 12, 2010
ChinenyeN:
Which reminds me, Andre, oyinda, since your wife is Ikwere, that oyi, in oyinda is it pronounced "aw-yii" or "oh-yee"? And what's the tone pattern?
"My Ikwere is not good. But have learnt a little bit from my LOOLO. Oyi pronounced as yi. just Iheoma, she calls it heoma. I think I should learn more from her. Why is your wife from, if at all you are married?. Do not be offended, Wa afo."
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8.Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by AndreUweh(m): 11:18pm On Jun 12, 2010
rhymz:
Andre
Thank you very much for re-asserting that jare. That is exactly my point, people who have a better understanding of their ancestral history don't spend time splitting hair and making statements that wreaks of insecurity or not being sure of your root. It is just like the arguement of some ppl black ppl taking offense when you address them as African Americans, they would rather you called them black Americans but that does not take away the facts that they actually ve their roots in Africa and so are Africans. Until recently, I did not my neighbour was igbo, the ones in the boarder between enugu and benue, the wife was clearly benue but the husband I was not sure. Not until he had boy child and named him chukwuemeka, I asked him and he told me he was igbo, I did not believe until I heard him one speak his local dialect to a relation did not sound like your normal anambra or imo states igbo but it had many igbo elements in it. And funny enough, the man could speak the general igbo lang very well too.
"During my traditional marriage in Ikwerreland, there was nothing to show that I was marrying outside Igboland. The opening prayer and closing prayers were said in Igbo language. The blessing of Aji as they call it were done in Igbo language as well.
At the peak of the activities, my wife was giving wine to come and search for me. The same way it was done when my sister got married.
The M.C of the day , an Ikwerreman but spoke in Igbo all through."
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9. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by ChinenyeN(m): 11:23pm On Jun 12, 2010
"Okay, that "yi" then, what does your wife say it means? I'm trying to ascertain the true meaning of Oyinda, if it is an Ikwere name. And no, I'm not married. Not 25 yet, but I'm looking toward Ngwa, Ndoki, Echee or Ikwere or Mbaise for when that time comes."
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10. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by Abagworo(m): 12:06am On Jun 13, 2010
"@chinenyen.oyinda is one of those names that abound in many languages.oyinda might be some dialects of yoruba or igbo.''like father'' in ikwerre.''oyi'' is to look like while ''nda'' is father.other names like this are chinda,amanda,ola,okoya,akpoyibo,yinka,ngozi,chiluba,mboma,eto,oti,udo,ojo,orisa,obasi and countless more.they could pass for igbo or some other african language"
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11. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by AndreUweh(m): 3:18pm On Jun 13, 2010
ChinenyeN:
Which reminds me, Andre, oyinda, since your wife is Ikwere, that oyi, in oyinda is it pronounced "aw-yii" or "oh-yee"? And what's the tone pattern?
"I can confirm, Oyinda as a name, she has not heard of such. But they have names as NNENDA. According to her there is oyi in Ikwerre dialect which they use as girlfriend. Enyi is friend as in other Igbo areas. But let me not derail this topic."
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From http://www.nairaland.com/458875/delta-igbo-bendel-igbo-what/2
12. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by AndreUweh(m): 1:32am On Jun 15, 2010
"@Oweniwe: You are quoting me wrongly. I did not say that Babangida did not see her wife as Igbo, Jesus Christ, what is going on here. I repeat once again. When Ohanaeze elders met IBB before creation of states in 1991, IBB continually was refering to this Ohanaeze members as his inlaws. What does that teach you?. Please read and reread my post before posting.
Any one who tells you that there was no Anioma prior to the civil war is a liar. Ndigbo in the Western region gathered in 1951 to agitate for a separate state of their own. Chief D. Osadebe was one of them, the other 3 were from Ndokwa, Ika and Aniocha. ANIOMA STANDS FOR Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika, M from the M in Oshimiri and finally A from the alphabet A in the first 3. In Igbo the acronym means Good land.
From the look of things, you are not the one I should engage here, probably those your univ. lecturers, bye."
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13. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by SLIGHT(m): 11:37am On Jun 15, 2010
oweniwe:
The igbo youths from delta who deny they are igbo are only rehearsing what their parents told them when they kids that they are not igbo. As a result, lot of them are confused about who they really are. They speak igbo (if my pop hear say i call ukwani igbo, e go tongue lash me o), bear igbo names, sing and dance igbo, but they will still say they are not igbo. That is confusion. For me, i wouldn't blame our parents and grandparents for choosing to drop their igbo identity. The eastern igbos did not consult with them before they decided to declear biafra. Most annoying is the military tatics the eastern igbo adopted for the war. Our parents on the west proposed that the war should be fought in the north instead of igboland. The eastern igbos turned deaf ear. While the western igbos were over running ore, benin, and securing the shoreline in rivers and calabar, ojukwu was busy monopolising and stockpiling arms to defend eastern igboland and locking up those he perceive to be disloyal to him while their western igbo brothers were fighting the Northerner's with bare hands. When Bakassi in cross river was given to cameroun, and when issue came up again in around 2006, what did the eastern igbos do? They recoiled to umuahia, enugu and kept quiet. Now who is bearing the brunt? No be bakassi? Even during the war, all the propaganda, press focus, foreign aid, war relief materials etc were directed to the eastern igbo while western igbo were being pounded by bombs and artillary fire. The adekunle black scorpion saga, na eastern igbo e happen? No be the ikwerre for rivers de suffer? The eastern igbos used their western brothers as shield and cannon fodder in a was they started, but were ill prepared for and abandoned them high and dry. Na de same coward eastern igbos on this thread de point finger de call calabar, ikwerre, bakassi, kwale- igbo. Make una eastern ogbunike brother betrayers no vex western igbos o. We helped u when u needed us but left us empty. Now una de say make we de answer una yeye igbo. Na dat go give us light, infrastructure, or put food on our tables? silly people.
Mmssppttsscheww! See them ewu heads. Them de talk de complain without sense like person wey trailer jam. Make una no vex us o. No be by force make we de answer igbo
"this guy came here to insult igbos, chei c rejection!"
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The bold font is found in the original comment.
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14. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by oweniwe(m): 9:07pm On Jun 15, 2010
SLIGHT
now thats what i call a classic.He meant every word. Are u sure this guy is one of u or or he came to derail thread?
SLIGHT
this guy came here to insult igbos, chei c rejection!
"Once again, i apologise for my earlier outburst. I was irked and annoyed by the way eastern igbos point finger at western igbos and make them a subject of ridicule. I was pointing out the reasons why some people deny that they are igbo eg in delta state when applying for jobs, if u write igbo as your tribe, u won't get the job coz they'll say you're not a deltan. I am a proud igbo- being an igbo makes one unique. Our duty here is not to blame this man or praise that man, but to settle the differences. We have to know the reasons why we have a problem before we can solve it. So we ought to ask: why do some western igbos deny that they are igbo? I have stated some reasons above and in my earlier posts, ie the civil war, geographical difference, betrayal of western igbos, etc. Now lets share views on why some igbos deny igbo so we can understand why they do so and reconcile the differences. Can someone come forward and give some other meaningful reasons pls?"
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15. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by ChinenyeN(m): 1:37pm On Jun 16, 2010
oweniwe:
Alright. Can someone come forward and give some other reasons why some western igbos deny that they are igbo?
"All things considered, (I'd think the primary reason would be because) they'd gain little to nothing from it and because, all things considered, they don't have to identify as "Igbo", in the first place.
. . . then there's the issue of resentment."
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16. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by udezue(m): 4:10pm On Jun 16, 2010
"They don't deny being Igbo because there is little to gain from it Chinyen. That is ridiculous coz is there anything that Eastern Igbo gains by stating he is Igbo? Even the Yoruba has nothing extra to gain by saying he is Yoruba. If you are Igbo u are Igbo. Its not about not see what to gain out of it its about the fear discrimination, persecution and rejection. I'm saying this based on example. My father is Eastern Igbo and due to fear of discrimination back in the 80s he had to use my mother's last name which is Ibibio to apply for an oil block. If my mother and their ppl don't give u their Igbo names you'll think they are just Ibibio but they are more Igbo than any other ethnicity. This discrimination suffered by our Western Igbo is not exclusive to them. Once the Eastern Igbo steps out of the SE he also faces the same discrimination. The block my father was looking for was in Rivers state which was under military govt of either a Northerner or that Ada George and they discriminated even against the Ikwerre, Ndoni so u kinda know why many of em chose to hide being Igbo. One of his business partners was also Igbo but his father na Ijaw so he easily passed as non Igbo. My mother can easily pass as non Igbo as along as she omits her Igbo 2nd name hence my father used her name instead of just his to reduce the level of rejection his group might get in Rivers and by the Nigerian government. Its not about what to gain its about what he or she might lose just for being Igbo. Its unfortunate that non SE Igbos have failed to establish themselves independent economically and have failed to really dominate in certain sectors in their states. When they do that and create policies to ensure that no one can downgrade their positions they and we will be powerful enough to ensure that no one can discriminate against us when we go looking for job or business. This problem affects us all but the problem is that some in SS and other areas are making the cowardly mistake of thinking that by antagonizing Igbos east of the Niger like their neighbors and Nigerians do to them they can get around easily. It doesn't work like that."
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From http://www.nairaland.com/458875/delta-igbo-bendel-igbo-what/3
17. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by oweniwe(m): 10:05pm On Jun 16, 2010
afam4eva:
Thre's this girl in my class. She's from Kwale. I told her she was Igbo and she said she wasn't. Then i asked what the name of her ethnic group was and she couldn't utter a word. Na so the ignorance take reach?
"Dear afam, pls try not to ridicule anyone again coz u don't know why they do so. I de annoy with you o. You abuse my "sister" ignorant. If i begin to abuse you too people go de talk say i de uncivil, say i de deny igbo. I said its not by force to answer igbo. I know the reason why the girl did so and have experienced that one before too. I was born in lagos but grew up in abeokuta. When i was in JSS 3, the class teacher conducted a class census. We were asked to state our names, age, state of origin, and tribe. When it came to my turn, i answered oweniwe, 13, delta State, but when it came to my tribe, i got lost coz the only options that were given were ijaw, itshekiri and urhobo. Isoko was not even mentioned talk less of igbo. I was never told or heard it that igbo is an ethnic group in delta State coz delta is not part of the south east. Its like if you are an ijaw kid or teen from ondo who knows little about the state, if he/she is asked for tribe, the answer you are most likely to get is yoruba because ondo is part of the west and not south south and yoruba is the major ethnic group in ondo. When i narrated my ORDEAL later in the evening to my dad, he said i'm ukwuani. I said ukwuani is a local govt in delta. He said yes but its also a tribe. So when next i'm asked my tribe formally, i reply ukwuani, but informally, i reply delta igbo. So don't blame the girl. And as we grow up denying this either ignorantly or to avoid discrimination, its built into our subconsciousness and soon becomes and regular occurance. So the term *Delta igbo* is our way of telling the world that we are igbo from delta State, not igbo from the east. But WE ARE STILL IGBO. @ UDUEZE. That was a nice response. U must hav grown up then so u understood d situation. The same cannot be said of the young children who don't know what's going on. I agree its very painful being forced to deny your root because of discrimination. It reminds me of kunta kinte being forced to change his name to toby after several whip lash in the movie "slaves". @ Chinenye- thanks dear. Our identity does not always reflect who we really while consciousness always tell us the truth about ourselves. Its like udueze's pop identity doesn't really matter but his igbo consciousness is supreme"
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18. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by oweniwe(m): 2:10am On Jun 17, 2010
SLIGHT:
U guys could go on and on and on, truth's that if u are italian u are italian, even if u speak roman, if u are hausa u are hausa, even if u speak hilanci, if u are igbo u are igbo,even if u claim ibibio.U CAN CLAIM WHAT U R NOT, BUT CANT BE WHAT U R ARE NOT,Even if it serve u right
"Gbam!"
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19. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by oweniwe(m): 2:26am On Jun 20, 2010
"@ 006. On what delta\rivers igbo has gained from denying igbo, your reasoning is not too bright. Delta/ rivers state is MULTI ETHNIC with urhobo, ijaw, itshekiri, isoko, etc unlike eastern nigeria that is ONLY IGBO. So delta igbo cannot win election alone without teaming up with other ethnic groups in coalition. In 2007, delta igbo teamed up with urhobo using godswill obielum. But ibori bought over the urhobo elders with stolen money and imposed his cousin as governor. U are now castigating delta igbo like as if they could have produced the governor alone. Even in the south east, if obasanjo, a Yoruba man could rumbled anambra, predominantly igbo state using andy uba, how do you expect delta igbo to dominate delta state that is multi ethnic? I can't speak for rivers igbo coz i don't know much about rivers politics. U asked what we gain from denying igbo, go and read udezue's post on why some deny igbo or better still go to asaba or kwale and see for yourself. I however admit that no matter what the situation may be, it is wrong to deny who you really are."
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20. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by udezue(m): 5:46pm On Jun 20, 2010
"Oweniwe,
I thought u were making sense but now u are talking like u are high on some cheap weed. Nwokem get a grip of yourself. The last time I checked Nzeogwu was the leader of the 1st coup that then led to the massacre of Eastern Igbo and Midwest Igbo plus non Igbos in both areas so going by your logic he brought the genocide on us hence we reacted. Why won't any action taken involve people from your area. I smell cowardice my friend. So all of a sudden the massacres didn't concern you yet action by Nzeogwu could be blamed for what happened. Did he consult all Eastern Igbo before embarking on a coup? U make no sense. U mean to tell me that Ojukwu just rolled into Midwest by surprise and not one Igbo person knew of his plan? Do ur research before talking again. Even a 5 year old knows that Midwest Igbos leaders and soldiers were very aware of the plan led by Ojukwu. Btw Biafra and its leaders who made decisions were also of Efik, Ijaw, Ogoni origin so I don't where u get the idea that Biafra was an Eastern Igbo affair. Do you think that the take over of Midwest would have been done easily without the support of Anioma ppl. Igbo ppl on both sides of the Niger river were faced with the same danger please. I heard stories about how Igbo men gathered at a square in Asaba to receive Nigerian troops and they were all saying "Anyi aburo Ndi Igbo" yet Nigerian gunned over 2000 of them. You think they are that dumb? Other people fled deep East into Biafra."
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21. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by Abagworo(m): 7:30pm On Jun 20, 2010
"the biafran war and events surrounding it are complex.the war wasnt an igbo war.igbos happened to be the largest ethnic group in biafra.thesame issue still exists here on nairaland.i observed that other nigerians tend to narrow down any issues involving the easterners to igbo.we igbos acknowdledge our presence in delta and rivers state.a lot of falsehood has been manufactured to give different identities to igbos.they therefore try as much as possible to cling on to the perculiarity of their clannish dialect and re-christen it ethnic group."we are from bini","we call land ali","our traditional ruler goes to bini to get crowned","we eat kola with ground fish","our language was imposed on us during the 1st republic" etc.etc.
nwigbo bu nwigbo,wibo vu wibo period."
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22. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by ChinenyeN(m): 7:58pm On Jun 20, 2010
"*sigh*"
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23. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by 006(m): 9:50pm On Jun 20, 2010
udezue:
[begins with Abagworo's comment above]
"Don't mind that boy. He forgot that all our problems started with Nzeogwu's silly coup."
oweniwe:
I tire for this place o. I only used hutu thing as a side talk na. I didn't say any one bought genocide ah. We human being see the same thing in different ways. Its different strokes for different folks. d discussion has shifted from delta igbo denying igbo to the civil war and now the 1966 coup. I don't see the point in arguing over somethin that will get me nowhere. So i'm taking a break. Angry
"When you digressed to civil war and started talking trash you barely know about, where were your senses?"
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24. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by udezue(m): 2:10am On Jun 23, 2010
"The problem is that Igbo people are very IGNORANT of fellow Igbos. I just had a heated argument with an Igbo guy from Enugwu Ukwu about a certain aspect of Aro-Igbo culture and he said its non Igbo. SUCH IGNORANCE and LACK OF RESPECT. He had a problem with me saying I am both Awka and Aro when he doesn't know that in his own Enugu-Ukwu and Awka area it might be wrong but in Arochukwu, Abiriba culture your mom's side is totally okay to claim without mentioning ur father and that is not a dislike of your dad's culture or people. Ijaw has some of that strong maternal stuff too. Basically to him it be silly to that but to us in that area its not.
Anyways point is that Igbo is diverse Igbo bu Igbo. A lot of Igbo ppl I noticed are way too ignorant and think everything pure Igbo is their village or if they are even nice about it their own state or SE alone. Igbo ppl too sabi disrespect eachother but either way I'm still proud to be one.
I digress but that shyt pissed me the hell off."
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25. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by Abagworo(m): 12:06am On Oct 20, 2010
"@Agbotaen.Igbos did influence your dialect just the way they influenced every other part of Igboland.In Igboland Chi has many synonyms like orisa,olisa,osa,ose,olise,obasi,abiama.Hence Chineke,Chiokike,Chikeruwa,Orisaburuwa,Osebuluwa,Osabuwa,Obasibinigwe.They mean God the creator.That's why names vary like Chikwe,Osakwe,Orisakwe,Olisakwe.Yours will be Ehikwe.That "kwe" makes it Igbo.As for "oghogho" Igbos in the east also use "Oghnughnu" or "Oghnu" for "Happiness".
Ika has been thoroughly studied and confirmed Igbo by linguists.You and I are not linguists but I hear Igbo in every Ika spoken.What you need to understand is to pay a visit to Abakaliki,Nsukka or Abiriba and you will be convinced that you are linguistically the western end of the same people."
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26. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by chyz(m): 1:24am On Oct 20, 2010
...."Lots of igbo is being mixed i even know in mbaise the original word for God the Creater is "Chileke" but both that and "chineke" is used at regularly. Also, they say "la" and "na regularly as well but of course "la" seems to be the indigenous one."
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27. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by asha80(m): 11:01am On Oct 20, 2010
ChinenyeN:
That's very true. So, once again, it's up to the clans to make efforts to preserve their clan tongues.
"Quite difficult to do in the circumstances prevailing now"
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From http://www.nairaland.com/458875/delta-igbo-bendel-igbo-what/4
28. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by agbotaen: 9:01pm On Sep 27, 2010
"A PEOPLE HAVE THE FREEDOM TO SAY WHO THEY ARE AND ASSOCIATE WITH WHOMEVER THEY LIKE.SOME GROUPS IN DELTA NORTH AREA OR ANIOMA ARE VERY MINDFUL OF WHO THEY ARE AS PER THEIR HISTORY AND CULTURE , ONE OF SUCH PEOPLE ARE THE IKAS , THIS OFTEN BRINGS HEATED ARGUEMENTS AND SOME TIMES IT OFTEN ENDS IN ABUSES ,I AM IKA AND I AM PROUD OF MY ETHNIC NATIONALITY, I HAVE NO APOLOGY TO GIVE TO OTHERS WHO FEEL I SHOULD SAY IAM IGBO. JUST TO EDUCATE SOME PEOPLE , IN THE ANIOMA AREA OF DELTA, 11 LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN , WHICH INCLUDE IGBO, BINI, OLD YORUBA, IGALA ,UKWANI, ABOH ,IKA AND OTHERS.
IN PLACES LIKE UGBODU THEY SPEAK IGBO AND OLUKUNMI,IN AGBOR -THEY SPEAK IKA AND BINI.
HAVING SAID THIS , I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS CONCIOUSNESS OF BEING IGBO, HAUSA, YORUBA,AND OTHERS JUST STARTED LESS THAN 150 YEARS AGO , AFTER THE BRITISH CAME,AND MOST KINGDOMS IN ANIOMA AREA WHERE LIVING ON THEIR OWN AS AGBOR KINGDOM,OWA KINGDOM ,ISELEUKWU AND OTHERS .BUT DUE TO HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF WAR AND INTERMARRIAGES AND TRADING ,POPULATIONS MIXED AND CULTURES AND LANGUAGES FUSED.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR WAS THE BINI EMPIRE THAT CONTROLLED ALL THE AREA OF DELTA NORTH , THEN THERE WAS THE NRI -IGBO FACTORS TOO.AND THE IGALAS,YORUBAS AND ISHAN E.T.C.
HAVING SAID THIS ONE WILL OBSERVE THAT MOST IKA KINGDOMS LIVED SEPERATELY DEFINING THEIR FUTURE AND WERE HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY BINIS AND HAVE LIVED AS KINGDOMS AND NATIONS FOR CLOSE TO 1000 YEARS,THEY HAVE PRESERVED THEIR IDENTITY AS A SEPERATE PEOPLE ,DIFFERENT FROM BINIS OR IGBO,BUT HOWEVER THEY HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF THINGS FROM BOTH IGBO AND BINI CULTURE.
IT WAS NOT DUE TO THE CIVIL WAR THAT IKAS SAY THEY ARE NOT IGBOS,WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ON OUR OWN , WE HAVE NEVER AT ANY POINT IN OUR HISTORY SAID WE WERE IGBO , SO IT IS FARE THAT WE ARE RESPECTED AS RESPECT BEGETS RESPECTS .
1. IKA HAS SOME IGBO CULTURAL TRADITIONS LIKE-
2. IKENGA ,3. IWAGI, AND WORSHIP OF ALI
SO ALSO IKA HAS MANY BINI TRADITIONS LIKE ,1. IGUE, IKABA,OGBANIGBE,OSIEZI,OHUMWEEDEN, OVIA, OLOKUN AND OTHERS .
IKAS ALSO FOLLOW THE BINI TRADITION OF KINGSHIP FROM FATHER TO SON CALLED OBI SHIP WITH REGALIA LIKE THE OBA OF BENIN, AND USING THE BINI USELU STYLE OF CHIEFTHANCY ,LIKE OBASOGIE, IHAMA, OLOGBOSHERE AND OTHERS. THE TOWN,PALACE AND HEREDITORY CHIEFS.
OUR LANGUAGE WHICH WE ALSO CALL IKA IS AN AMALGAMATION OF IGBO AND BINI LANGUAGE ,BOTH IN WORDS AND STRUCTURE ,
LIKE , NANI IRI - HOW ARE YOU ,
NENYI KPAMI OSELOBUE HUN OGI GBODONEYIN UYA- LETS THANK GOD FOR CHASING AWAY SUFFERING FROM US .
HAVING SAID ALL THIS MOST IKA PEOPLE ARE PROUD OF WHO THEY AND THEY KNOW THEY ARE IKAS , BUT WE STILL HAVE SOME IKAS WHO ALSO SAY THEY ARE IGBOS THAT IS ALSO THEIR FREE RIGHT.WE DO NOT QUARREL WITH THEM,THE IKA PEOPLE HAVE NEVER SAID ALL IKAS COME OR MIGRATED FROM THE SAME PLACE ,BUT WE KNOW IKAS ARE HETEROGENOUS SOME COME FROM IGBO,BINI, ISHAN, ORA, UKWANI,ANIOCHA AND OTHER AREAS BUT THROUGH WARS, INTERMARRIAGES AND OTHER THINGS THESE PEOPLE HAVE LIVED ALMOST SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF YEARS AND HAVE DECIDED TO BE IKA.I COME FROM OWA KINGDOM AND EACH OF OUR VILLAGES WILL TELL YOU WHERE THEY MIGRATED FROM BUT HOWEVER SINCE THE 12TH CENTURY WHEN THE GREAT WARRIOR KING ODOGUN CONQUERED THE VILLAGES AND MADE IT INTO OWA KINGDOM,WE HAVE ALL BEEN LIVING AS ONE.
IKA HAVE TAKEN THEIR DESTINY IN THEIR HANDS AS WE HAVE OUR SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANISATION CALLED ONU IKA AND OGUA IKA ,THERE IS ALWAYS AN ANNUAL LECTURE PROMOTING IKA ETHNIC NATIONALITIES CULTURE AND HISTORY, THE LAST ONE WAS RECENTLY HELD IN UTE-OGBEJE KINGDOM IN IKA NORTH EAST OF DELTA STATE.
NO IKA MAN CAN DENY THE INFLUENCE OF IGBO ,NOR CAN WE DENY BINI INFLUENCE , BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT WE ARE IKA PEOPLE ,AND WE CAN CHOSE WHO EVER WE WANT TO ASSOCIATE WITH.NO TREAT OR INTIMIDATION CAN CHANGE OUR STANCE AS THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR PEOPLE FROM ALL OUR KINGS, CHIEFS,NOBLES, PEASANTS HAVE SPOKEN THAT THEY ARE IKAS."
**
29. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by ChinenyeN(m): 10:49pm On Sep 27, 2010
"Agbotaen, are you still bothering yourself over this? You have nothing to worry or be apologetic about. You say you are Ika. No problem. Don't concern yourself with other Igbo pushing some identity on you, because, all things considered, you're really not under any obligation to accept such broad categorization. So just be cool and continue about with your business.
Honestly, this kind of topic has been overdone. So, to each his own (literally and figuratively)."
**
30. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by AndreUweh(m): 10:06pm On Sep 28, 2010
"Idu lua Nwunnye
On the appointed date the bride's family prepare large quantity of food for the in-laws and visitors. The items are displayed while negotiations for the bride price follow with dialogue; thus: the brides the family may ask such questions after presenting the visitors with kolanut and drinks on their arrival. What is your mission? We saw a beautiful flower or udara (cherry) and we want her to be the one to be giving food to our son. (He is introduced). The groom is asked "Will you be able to look after her?" he replies "yes". He is asked again "Are you sure- definitely sure. If you see her can you identify her?" and he replies again "Yes". After which a mock negotiation ensues like this "The bride price is one million/five million naira. OK, we will pay ten million." The mock negotiation goes on for a while, before the bride is asked by the leader of Umu-Adas (married women from the bride's family) if she was prepared to marry the man. If the answer is in affirmative she reports back to the group. The bridegroom's family presents the specified bride price. Normally N10, 000.00 is presented contained in an envelop after other monetary obligations have been met. The spokes man from the brides family shows the elders the money, depending on the family between N1,000.00 to N3,000.00 is taken and the balance is given back to the bride grooms family. They are asked to start life with it for the young couple.
The above paste highlights the fact that Ika is not different from other Igbo groups."
**
31. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by ChinenyeN(m): 3:32pm On Oct 01, 2010
chyz:
I think the argument continues because certain things arent addressed. Ok, for instance by your words, ika is a tribe, if so what language were they speaking before the igbos and bini influenced them linguistically and culturally. Another thing that i've observed that is leading to arguments is, why is is that the other tribes that were under the benin empire such as the yoruba, itshekiri, urhobo, ijaw dont have a similar story.How come none of them clain that they were bini people that were absorbed liguistically and culturally by those respective tribes? yorubas(ekiti,ondo), itsekiri, urhobo,ijaw also have bini influence linguistically and culturally so why is the ika case differently?. I think if you can address these issues it would bring these arguments to are close.Seems like a lot of people just want more of an insight thats all.
"No, not necessarily. That won't bring anything to a close, because this issue is not so much about linguistics or culture, but identity."
**
32. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by excanny: 8:45pm On Oct 01, 2010
"One thing i know is that it's more easier for aspects of culture such as mode of dressing, food, occupation, etc to change than the language.
Ika claims that it's language is 60% Igbo, 40% bini; while their customs are 20% Igbo, 80% bini."
**
33. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by chyz(m): 9:25pm On Oct 01, 2010
agbotaen:
LETS LOOK AT ITSEKIRI TRIBE IN DELTA STATE,- THEY ARE A PEOPLE THAT CLAIM,TO BE FOUNDED BY BINI AND YORUBA MIGRANTS AND IT IS EVIDENT IN THEIR CULTURE WHICH IS SOMETIMES A MIX OF YORUBA AND BINI CULTURES .,BUT TODAY THEY HAVE DEVELOPED CHARACTERISTICS THAT MAKES THEM DIFFERENT FROM YORUBA AND BINI , THEY ARE ITSEKIRIS , EVEN THOUGH THEIR LANGUAGE IS HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY OLD YORUBA WITH MANY BINI WORDS .HISTORY OF ITSEKIRIS TELL US THAT IGINUWA THE SON OF OBA OLUA OF BENIN , MIGRATED TO ODE-ITSEKIRI AFTER COMMITTING SOME OFFENCES IN BENIN , SO HE WAS SENT AWAY , AND HE CAME WITH MANY SLAVES, SERVANT AND WIVES AND WARRIORS,SO HE MET SOME IJEBU PEOPLE AT THE WATER SIDE WHO MIGRATED THERE YEARS AGO, AND TOGETHER THEY INTER MIXED AND THE ITSEKIRI TRIBE WAS FOUNDED AND IGINUWA A PRINCE FROM BENIN BECAME FIRST OLU OF ITSEKIRIS .SO WHAT IS DIFFERENT IN IKA CLAIMS , TO BEING A MIXED GROUP OF PEOPLE FIRST BINIS, THEN IGBOS AND OTHERS .
EVEN UHROBO AND ISOKOS , SAY SOME OF THEIR TOWNS WERE FOUNDED BY IGBOS,OTHERS BY BINI AND OTHER PEOPLE .AND IJAWS. SO WHY ARE IKAS DIFFERENT ?
I AM FROM DELTA AND THERE IS HARDLY ANY COMMUNITY IN DELTA THAT I CANNOT GIVE YOU THEIR BRIEF HISTORY.
"As far as your history about itsekiri it seems like a fraud of the Yoruba history of Oduduwa. Infact it is the same story but with different names. The Itsekiri trace their ancestry to the Ife kingdom which is yoruba land.I dont know who told you that story you typed. Oba "Olua" is definitely false. Its sounds like a fabrication of "Oluwa" in yoruba so its not adding up. Go read about Oduduwa and learn how the story that you posted about it is fabricated.The Itsekiri came under Bini rule just like the urhobo,Ijaw, Igbo. But can you please answer my previous question so that we all can get more clearification of the Ika issue?"
**
From http://www.nairaland.com/458875/delta-igbo-bendel-igbo-what/5
34. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by ChinenyeN(m): 9:50pm On Oct 01, 2010
chyz:
Exactly why are you even discussing delta issues.should you be worrying about aba?
This isn't a "delta issue". This topic has little to nothing to do with regions. It's a general social topic of identity. It can occur anywhere.
"So, I should not discuss because I am not from "delta"? haha."
**
35. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by agbotaen: 9:04pm On Oct 02, 2010
"when a people are dejected they always try to claim every one they see that has some similarities with them an their own ,no proper ika man will identify as igbo, lets get that clare , you are not an ika man so you wont know what it means to be ika .most ika people have bini names as their ancestral names , even if they bear okafor today , ask them their grand fathers or great grand fathers names it will end up in bini names for those who say ika is not a kingdom , i laugh at their ignorant , can an igbo man know what a kingdom is ? igbos lived in communties and not kingdoms, a kingdom is a community with a king.i dont mean a 21 first century king or igweship or ezeship that was invented by the british. agbor is one of the oldest established kingdom with unbroken kingship in nigeria for over a thousand years , owa is also old , so is abavo, umunede and other ikas , and if you wish to know ika obiship or deinship was gotten from benin , and we did not buy it its was as a result of all our kings being royalties and princes from benin.the first obi of agbor was a benin prince and all deins of agbor and other ika kings are princes .the present dein of agbor kiagborekuzi is a direct family line with the present oba of benin. for more information read jacob egharevbas book a short history of benin written in 1930.by binis most famous hisotrian . and for your information it is still a taboo for any agbor royal family to marry into the present benin royal family . having said this we are ika people , we are neither benin or igbo , and the last thing any proper ika man want to be is to be igbo .we forbid it , may oselobue not allow that and may our ancestral ehi- guardian spirit refuse it .
i have already said ikas usually have igbo and edo names , i have given you excamples , but out of ignorant most of you will still say otherwise nduka irabor the famous journalist is from owa , his forst name is nduka and his surname is irabor (edo) his father is george irabor, nduka obaigbena the owner of this day is from owa , his first name is igbo , while his fathers name is obaigbena (edo) that is an ika man for you , so your wish is for him to accept the igbo and reject the bini in him? that is very funny .
still on names let me list the names of some obis of agbor and owa , some are igbo names while most are bini names , and the old names are bini names .
AGBOR -
1. dein, 2, odin ovba,3, akina, 4, oguade, aigbobu,isalebo, igbenijie, igbenehi,gbenoba,obika,ikenchuku,and kiagborekuzi, this is not chronological i just picked from memory .
OWA KINGS, NOT CHRONOLOGICAL TOO.
1, odogun, 2, owodo, 3, ewuare, 4, orhogbuwa,5, okundaiye, oseh, iseh, igbeoba, obaigbena, efeizomor the first, and the present obi is efeizomor the second . so please what are we hiding ?
IKA DEITIES .
1. olokun, idigun, ovia, ake, ohunweeden, ajan, araba, idinwina , ikenga, ali, ehi, ohointe, out of this deities it is only ikenga and ali that is from igbo land , while all the others are from benin.
IKA FESSTIVALS .
1 the most popular ika festival that unite many ika communities is the igue and ewere festival , which is same with binis, then we have igbose, ogbanigbe, ikaba ,osiezi , ajamukara, ineh, this are all bini related festivals also performed by the oba of benin.but ika alos performs new yam festival too which is same with igbos , but with slight variations ,
the vast majorities of ikas will never associate with igbos in terms of tribal issues, if you go to ika land , you will find the majority distinguishing between an ika person and igbo person, they will say this is an igbo man .ikas know who they are , we dont need others who cannot stay on their own and who is looking for numbers to become relevant in the scheme of things in nigeria. do you see the great distance that ika people have given to any thing igbo ? it is because we wish to be left alone.as our own people. we are a royal people and we have our ways of doing things , we would not like to be come contaminated by those who do not share ika blood.
as for ika spiritual lessons let me educate you a little .
1. ancient ika people believe that God is called oselobue or osenobue .
2. they believed that mans guardian spirit is called ehi .
3. they believed in heavenly or spirit world called orimi
4. they believed that there is a devil or satan called ojuwu
5. we believed that olokun is the son of oselobue ,and second in command to oselobue.
6. we believed our kings(obi) are semidivine children of oselobue , so they had the power of live and death.
7. we believed that spirits such as idinwina, ihoghai, igheleken existed in the world .
8. every ancient ika man believed in ogun or idigun( god of iron)
9/ we had guilds of obu( called idibia now by some ikas ), ohue ( hunters guild), okaiwina( societies for women ) with osigu -those that give the ancient ika tribal marks , and circumcise children .
10. most ika communities practiced ima-ihian ( calling and questioning of the dead to find out the cause of death ) this is still done till today in owa kingdom.
11. ikas usually bury bad witches and evil people into the evil forest called ikpepe .
12. ikas also believed that an old person should be buried with the dance called ubi ( funeral songs)
13. the dancing of uje traditional dance is a must for kings and chiefs in ika .this guarantees harmony with our ancestors .
14. ikas name their children of 7 day for male and 5th day for females and their naming ceremony is called mpoudu or idayi ( meaning to give live )
15. ikas lived in a srtatified society of ebon(umu) ,idumu,and ogbe .
16. ikas know themselves as a people who worship ogun, olokun, and had the tribal marks called igu and peformed igue festival, if you do not do all these then you are not ika and cannever be ika.
**
36. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by AndreUweh(m): 10:24pm On Oct 02, 2010
"@Agbotaen: Point of correction. Ika is not a kingdom. In Ika, you have different kingdoms, e.g Agbor, Owa etc."
**
37. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by ezeagu(m): 10:50pm On Oct 02, 2010
[begins with agbotaen’s quote above]
"Who appointed you mouthpiece of the "Ika Kingdom"? Who told you non of the people here are Ika?
Can you name the king of Ika, if it is a kingdom?
Have you heard of the Obi of Agbor? His surname is Ikechuku.
All the deities you posted are not as strong as Ikenga. You're not the only one with access to Ika history. Below is a craving from Ika land from the early 20th century, tell me where in Benin that they moulded their deities and ancestors in that style. Where in Benin do they have Ofo staffs? Where in Benin do they wear red caps?
This is the Obi of Owa, where in Benin do they dress like this?"
-snip-
The photographs that are cited don't appear in that discussion thread.
**
38. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by AndreUweh(m): 11:15pm On Oct 02, 2010
"The Nri civilization have been the most important agencies in the evolution Igbo society until about the 15th century when other influences e.g Benin empire originating from outside started affecting the trend of Igbo affairs.The Benin monarchy about the 15th century was transformed from a small kingdom into an aggresively expansive empire. This change is said to have taken place in the reign of Ewuare the Great. Under his command the Benin armies extended their conguests beyond Edo regions, subjugating towns and villages of Ekiti, Ikare, IkaIgbo and some western Igbo. From this time, the Bini power became a factor of great consequence in the life of the Western Igbo. Though Binin subjugation and influence was great in the area, it never amounted to permanent subjugation and regular administration.
As a result, everywhere in the Ika Igbo region micro-cosmic versions of Benin kingdom, court ceremonials and institutions, title systems and political terminology were adopted or imposed. This later Benin impact came to overlay the earlier Nri culture among the IkaIgbo.
**
39. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by ezeagu(m): 1:00am On Oct 03, 2010
[begins with Andre Uweh's comment that is given above]
"You got it. The base of Ika culture is Igbo, and that is why they are always considered as Igbo. Their customary law is almost indistinguishable from that of the Nri-Awka. A few Benin place names isn't good enough to claim whole Benin descent, because they don't accept them anyway."
**
40. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by AndreUweh(m): 2:16pm On Oct 03, 2010
Abagworo:
http://www.nigerianbestforum.com/index.php?topic=22509.msg332358#msg332358
"You can clearly see that Agbontaen's opinion does not reflect the opinion of most Ikas who are proud Igbo.
Thanks Abagworo."
-snip-
That hyperlink's title: "Origin Of Delta Igbo".
It appears from my reading that that thread includes multiple opinions on whether Ika people consider themselves to be Igbo or whether they should consider themselves Igbo.
****
From http://www.nairaland.com/458875/delta-igbo-bendel-igbo-what/9
41. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by excanny: 5:36am On Oct 29, 2010
malabite:
It's not just the Igbos in Delta that disagree that they are Igbo, those in Rivers also have the same problem. I'm from Imo state, my home is just at the boundary with Anambra state. When I go to Delta I speak Igbo with guys there and we understand one another perfectly, same thing as when I go across Owerri and into Rivers state. Surprisingly, communication with Ohafia is not that easy, same with those from Nsukka and some parts of Ebonyi state because of the huge difference in dialect.
"It is wrong for anybody to think that the Igbos across the Niger have one dialect and one culture. No, Igbo is simply a collection of different cultures and variety of dialects. My friend was surprised to learn recently that not all parts of Imo state and indeed Igbo land celebrate New Yam festival, and not all part do the Iwa-Akwa which is a right of passage for men (we don't), same with beliefs about masquarades. The same way an Hausa man see the Abiriba war dance on YouTube is the same way I see it, even though it was once part of my state"
**
42. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by ezeagu(m): 9:59pm On Nov 03, 2010
chyz1:
Information about the label "Ika":
Although earlier colonial documents have referred to the present Ika people as Ika speaking people (Marshall 1936, Whiting 1936, Simpson 1936, Denton 1937, and Stanfield 1936), the present Ika people have not always been the only group known by the name, Ika. Forde and Jones (1967) used the term Ika for a wider community, which included the present Ika group. Ika was used by Forde and Jones (1967) to represent the inland parts of the four groups that make up the western Igbo group (Aniocha, Oshimili, Ika and Ukwuani) found in present Delta State away from the shores of the river Niger. The remaining members of these groups that are on the shores of the river Niger i.e. Asaba, Aboh and others were referred to as Riverain Ibo (Forde and Jones 1967: 49-50). Within this Ika group the present Ika community was classified as Northern Ika along with Aniocha and Oshimili while the Ukwuani group was classified as Southern Ika (Forde and Jones 1967). However the origin and meaning of the name Ika and when only the present Ika community and their language began to be known and referred to by that name, which they retain until today
As has been stated above, there are eleven clans and a metropolis that make up the Ika collective group, which I refer to as the Ika community. Except for the Idumuesah clan the rest ten are today also referred to as kingdoms as they have the hereditary kingship traditional system. The kings are known and referred to by the title of Obi (king), however the king of Agbor clan has changed his title from Obi to Dien for reasons not clear to me at this time. The following are the eleven clans and a metropolis that make up the Ika community: Agbor clan, Owa clan, Abavo clan, Ute-Okpu clan, Ute-Ogbeje clan, Umunede clan, Akumazi clan, Igbodo clan, Otolokpo clan, Mbiri clan, Idumuesah clan, Orogodo/Boji-Boji.
"The king of Agbor has always been the Dein. Note oh! No one should say Ika does not exist!"
-snip-
The bold found was used in the quoted comment.
****
From http://www.nairaland.com/458875/delta-igbo-bendel-igbo-what/10
43. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by amazonia(m): 6:09am On Nov 21, 2010
"@Agbotean,
Good job. Thanks you for your contributions to this debate.
You have describe reality as it is on the ground. Those who
have ears let them hear. Owa has always been Edo. I know
you all have evolved your Ika culture, i respect that. Going
through your historical accounts, triggered subconscious
memories of songs i learnt as youth about our legendary
Owa, Umuonode etc. Ikas are steep in edo spiritual heritage."
**
44. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by AndreUweh(m): 10:38am On Dec 01, 2010
alj harem1:
gbam, but agbotaen u have to understand that even if u are ika,,,which everyone here respect u are still a clan under the igbo ethnic group
if u go anywhere in nigeria and say u are ika,,, automatically they will link u to igbo
but i think u should still keep your identity as ika just like chinereyeN is an Ngwa man but in the igbo ethnic group,,,so u too can be an ika man in the igbo ethnic group
"The Wise one from Borno, I salute you.
Spot on."
****
From http://www.nairaland.com/458875/delta-igbo-bendel-igbo-what/11
45. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by EgobiambuEmmanuel(m): 6:54pm On Dec 12, 2010
"There are differences b/w Igbo in Delta and SE Igbos.I myself come 4rm delta.people in d area hardly accept d fact dat dey are Igbos,they mostly belief they migrate 4rm Bini and are most at home with people 4rm dat part dan SE Igbos.one of d diff is in my username,egobiambu which means wealth has been existing b/4 bt SE Igbos will interprete it as wealth/money comes first.This and more makes us believe dey are not Igbos."
**
46. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by chyz(m): 8:20pm On Dec 12, 2010
EgobiambuEmmanuel:
There are differences b/w Igbo in Delta and SE Igbos.I myself come 4rm delta.people in d area hardly accept d fact dat dey are Igbos,they mostly belief they migrate 4rm Bini and are most at home with people 4rm dat part dan SE Igbos.one of d diff is in my username,egobiambu which means wealth has been existing b/4 bt SE Igbos will interprete it as wealth/money comes first.This and more makes us believe dey are not Igbos.
I am from Delta and people in the area do accept that they are Igbos.A lot put their clan first but they do accept that they are Igbo. They is NO difference from Igbo from Delta state and Igbo from the East. I am a product of both so I have first hand experience. Igbo is a diverse tribe, no Igbo clan is completely the same and they for sure don't speak the same kind of Igbo. Is an Abiriba man completely the same as an Okiqwe man? the answer is No. Is an Afikpo man the same as an mbaise man? Hell no, but they are from the Eastern part of Igbo land. You can generalize Eastern Igbo as all being the "same" in "every" aspect.
"Emmanuel, "wealth has been existing b/4" and " wealth/money comes first" means the same thing lol. It depends on who is interpreting it in english. all ao those words in you name is Igbo so it can make us believe more that theyre not Igbo. My last name is a mixture of bini and Igbo so how are you going to classify that one when compared to yours?"
**
47. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by ChinenyeN(m): 8:28pm On Dec 12, 2010
"I can't believe you all are still on this. I mean, really. . Leave the non-koi koi Igbo for themselves, a begi. Na bi force?
I said it before. These non-koi koi people are small in number and not detrimental to Igbo survival."
**
48. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by chyz(m): 8:48pm On Dec 12, 2010
ChinenyeN:
I can't believe you all are still on this. I mean, really. . Leave the non-koi koi Igbo for themselves, a begi. Na bi force?
"I said it before. These non-koi koi people are small in number and not detrimental to Igbo survival.
I just do it to foist a history lesson/debate out of them grin.I don't really care if they do or don't accept that they are igbo.That is their choice."
****
From http://www.nairaland.com/458875/delta-igbo-bendel-igbo-what/12
Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by asha80(m): 2:37pm On Dec 14, 2010
[quoted a comment that isn't given in this compilation
..."do the ikas or ukwuani speak the same way as the asabans.
although i agree some of the aniomas have some affinity with the binis but he saying they feel more comfortable with binis depends on who you ask.most of the peopl who suffered the massacre in asaba and some parts of anioma will disagree as it is a bini monarch that pointed them as igbo.
i hope you kow the onitsha people and asaba people and ogbaru peolple speak in an almost identical way.
i guess because onitsha and ogbaru are on the geographical southeast and asaba is in anioma but seperated by a river then onitsha and ogbaru people will interpret it differently from the asabans.
even if we start looking at names chinenye do not tell me you do not know that some names are distinct to some igbo groups.when you see an igbo person answer 'ubani' and he is not from mbaise or ngwa or you here 'kalu' and the person is not from the old bende division let me know"
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50. Re: Delta Igbo, Bendel Igbo: What Does That Even Mean. by aljharem(m): 11:53pm On Dec 15, 2010
Andre Uweh:
Ndi Igbo: Ofu Obi Wu Ike Anyi. Let this motto be our guiding principle irrespective of geographical location.
my ndigbo brother, our motto should be in unite and strength we will succeed
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