HISTORY IN RETROSPECT(Traditional Origin Of Ijo, Now IJAW): No doubt, the diversity and geographical spread of the Ijo all over the Niger Delta seems to be reflected in the complexity of their traditions of origin. However, categories are most often distinguished. The claims to a place of origin outsider the Niger; claims to authochthony or indigenous origin and traditions of migration within the Niger Delta. Many Ijo traditional accounts agree on an ultimate origin outside the Delta; usually showing a connection with the prestigious Benin kingdoms(Ado or Oba-ama in Ijo). The first recorded reference to the Benin origin was made by Major Leonard. The level of mutual intelligibility among Ijo dialects varies widely. The Ijoid group has two subgroups: The Ijo language cluster and the small Defeka language. The Ijo comprises of four groups of dialect: the eastern subgroup has Kalabari, Bille, Ibani, and Nkoro; the Nembe-Akassa has Nembe and Akassa; the Izon has Bumo, Tarakiri, Olodiama, Apoi, Kolokuma, Oiyakiri, Kumbo, Mein, Gbanrain: Inland Ijo is made up of Biseni and Okodia. The Defeka(Afakani) is spoken by a section of Nkoro and Iwoma Nkoro villages. The origin of Olodiama, a document derived from clan chiefs led by Freeman illustrates one of several stereotypes commonly found in Ijo tradition of origin. It reports as follows: The Ijo and his children were pushed out from their place of origin by a war-like and powerful set of people until they came into Ile-Ife. Ijo left Ile-Ife for the purpose of finding his own dominion to rule. He came to Igbeku, where he had some encounters with Akinjua 1 of Benin. Consequently, he left for opposite Ebe, where he died. After his death, the people of Ebe waged war against his children which resulted to their scattering away to find the entire Ijo tribes, West and East.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 12:41:43 +0000
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