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NIGERIA TO THE WORLD: The Nativity of the Itsekiri Tribe


Today we look at the Itsekiri people of Southern Nigeria.

The Itsekiri is an ethnic group that mainly inhabit the south-western part of the Niger Delta area in Edo and Delta states. They mainly live around Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South-West, speaking a Yoruboid language that blends elements of Yoruba, Igala, and some borrowed cultural practice from the Edo people of Benin, a reflection of their richly mixed heritage.

The Itsekiri story begins before 1480, when Olu Ginuwa, a prince from Benin, left the royal palace after a dispute and sailed down to found the Kingdom of Warri. There, he united various riverine communities under one crown, setting up the capital at Ode-Itsekiri. From then on, the Itsekiri were ruled by the Olu (King) and a council of chiefs known as Ojoyes, forming a graceful blend of monarchy and nobility.

The Itsekiri’s are generally flamboyant when it comes to dressing up for an event. Traditionally, Itsekiri men wear a long sleeved shirt called a Kemeje, tie a George wrapper around their waist and wear a hat with a feather stuck onto it. The women wear a blouse and also tie a George wrapper around their waist. They wear colourful head gears known as 'Nes' (scarf) or coral beads. Itsekiris are also famed for their traditional fishing skills, melodious songs, gracefully fluid traditional dances and colourful masquerades and boat regattas. Annual Itsekiri festivals include; Awankere or Umale Okere and Ghigho Aghofen (Palace watch).

Before the introduction of Christianity in the 16th century, like many other African groups, the Itsekiris largely followed a traditional form of religion known as Ebura-tsitse (spirit and ancestor worship) which has become embedded in modern-day traditional Itsekiri culture. They believe in an omnipotent and supreme being or 'God' called Oritse, while some of the most prominent deities include; UmalOkun(god of sea), Ife (Ifa), Ogun or Àdá and so on.

The Itsekiri Traditional Marriage (Temotsi) is usually an arrangement between two families as opposed to an arrangement between two individuals; both families arrange the day the bride price or dowry will be paid.

Their traditional marriage (Temotsi) is a beautiful family affair. On the wedding day, both families gather with kola nuts, palm wine, gin, and gifts, as the bride shines in George wrappers and coral beads.The Kola nut and palm wine, in particular, are essential for a proper Itsekiri marriage. The marriage is complete when the Olori-Ebi (head of the family) raises and places the Bride’s hands in the out-stretched palms of the Groom and of his father eight times. At the last count of eight (Mejo), the Olori-Ebi for the Bride’s family announces, “Di Ojo Nie Ewo,” which means, “It shall be well with you”.

Itsekiri foods are majorly palm oil-made foods and seafood. Their foods include Banga Soup, Epuru, Usin/Owo Soup, Gbagba Ukpogiri, and Banga or Palm fruit, Gbagbafofo(Okra Pepper Soup) and Starch, their cuisine is as vibrant as their culture.

That is all for today on Nigeria to the World!  Thank you for watching. Tell us what yu know about the Itsekiri people in the comments. Don’t forget to subscribe, like, leave a comment and share with friends.

 

 

 


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