Delta Ibo
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Delta-Ibo (sometimes spelt Delta-Igbo) refers to a group of Dialects related to the Igbo language and spoken in Nigeria.
They are mostly confined to Delta State (hence the name) but some of them (like Ukwuani) are spoken close to the borders of neighboring states like Rivers.
Dialects that fall into this group include Ukwani, Enuani, Ika (Agbor) and Aboh.
Most Delta Ibo inhabit an area known as Anioma in Delta State. A small Ika Ibo population can be found in neighboring Edo State specifically in Igbanke, Oza and Ekpon. The term Anioma is an acronyn derived from the four original local governments i.e. (A) for Aniocha, (N) for Ndokwa, (I) for Ika, (O ) for Oshimili, M & A are common denominators found in the four original local governments. Thus, A-N-I-O-M-A. Sentimentally, there are also Anioma people in Anambra State i.e. Onitsha, Ogbaru, Obosi, Ozobulu, Oraifite. Some are in Imo State i.e. Oguta, Rivers State i.e. Ndoni, Ogba. Anioma people who had one destiny prior to the coming of the Europeans were balkanized after they lost the Ekumeku war of resistance against the British imperialism in 1899.
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[edit] History
The origins of the Delta Ibo, the largest group of inhabitants of Anioma (which means "Fertile Land"), can be traced to their eastern neighbors across the Niger River: the Igbos.[1] The Igbos, known for their high achievement historically, lived in high density areas. Around the 10th century AD, the potential for spare land across the Niger most likely prodded a wave of migrant Igbos looking for land and avenues to farm for consumption. The Delta Ibos today are unique as one of the major groups in Nigeria that trace their roots to nearby communities and not a faraway land like Mecca, Baghdad, or Egypt.[1] Some Anioma people trace their origins to Edo i.e. Benin through Dein popularly known as "Eze Chima." Anecdotal evidence suggests that the famous slave Olaudah Equiano a/k/a Gustavus Vassa was an Anioma man.
[edit] Pre-Colonial life and culture
The Delta Ibos' social structure was dominated by the use of lineages. The lineages were based loosely on the concept of uno, umunna, and idumu, which are major blood lineages; while ogbe and obodo were open and much more political. Uno was a small family unit comprising husband, wife, and children. The next lineage was Umunna, which includes the primary or nuclear family, the daughter or son in law, and the grandparents and the grandchildren. The Ogbe is a large structure which allowed non-blood relatives; it comprises the Idumu and some outsiders and it is best classified as a quarter in terms of demographics. The maximal concept is one that looks like a small town; this is the Obodo.[1]
[edit] Today
[edit] Post-colonial identity
After the independence of Nigeria, A few Nigerian groups desired their own identity separate from forced colonial political and social institutions. The Delta Ibo were no exception. As a wave of demand for state creation in the 1970s permeated the Nigerian political landscape, included in this movement was the yearning for Ndi-Anioma, land of the Aniomas as a separate political state for the Delta Ibos.[1]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Ohadike, Don (1994). Anioma: A Social History of the Western Igbo People. ISBN 0821410733.
