The Ikwerre, natively known as Iwhuruọhna, is an ethnic group who speak the Ikwerre language, they are found in Rivers State, Nigeria. The group is spread across four Local Government Areas: Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor, Ikwerre, and Emohua.
Traditional history has classified Ikwerre into seven groups called "Ikwerre Essa". They are Elele, Isiokpo, Rumuji, Emohua, Choba, Aluu, Igwuruta and Obio group. This division was first documented by Forde and Jones (1950) in their ethnographic study of the Igboid- and Ibibio-speaking peoples of South-Eastern Nigeria. It was also in line with this grouping that seven customary courts were established in Ikwerre during the Colonial administration. These courts were located at Elele, Isiokpo, Rumuji, Emohua, Choba, Aluu and Obio in Ikwerreland.
Geography and cultural grouping The Ikwerre inhabit the upland part of Rivers State. and are predominantly settled in the Ikwerre, Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt and Emohua local government areas of Rivers State.
The Ikwerre cultural area is bordered by Ogba to the northwest, the Ekpeye and Abua to the west, the Ijoid groups of Degema, the Kalabari and Okrika to the south, the Eleme and Oyigbo to the southeast and the Etche to the east.
The Ikwerre are made up of four main groups, namely the Elele group (Ishimbam), the Igwuruta-Aluu (Ishiali) group, the Rumuji-Emohua-Ogbakiri (REO) or Risimini group, and the OPA group (Obio/Port Harcourt/Akpor).
The Ishimbam or Elele clan cluster is located at the northern part of Ikwerre land, in Ikwerre and Emohua Local Government Areas.
The Ishimbam clans include: Elele, Akpabu, Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Omerelu, Apani, Ubimini and Omudioga.Ikunga, Solomon (2018). "7". In Bassey Anam (ed.). "The Development of Indigenous Technology in Iwhuruohna 1500–2000: A Historical Imperative". Arts, Technology & Development Patterns. Nigeria: Advanced Publishers. pp. 87–114. . The Ishiali or Esila group inhabit the remaining parts of Ikwerre Local Government Area. Clans here include: Isiokpo, Ipo, Igwuruta-Ali, Aluu, Omuanwa, Omademe, Omagwa, Ozuoha and Ubima.
The REO (Rumuji/Emohua/Ogbakiri) cluster, or (R)Ishimini (as classified by Ogbakor Ikwerre), inhabit the southern part of Emohua Local Government Area. They are located in a riverine area. This cluster comprises: Odegu clan: Rumuji Rumuodogo Ovogo Evekwu Rumuewhor Ndele Rumuekpe Uvuahu clan: Ibaa Obelle Emohua clan Ogbakiri clan The OPA (Obio-Port Harcourt-Akpor) is a broad cluster that occupies the entire Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas. It is subdivided into the Obio and the Akpor groups.
Obio: The Obio group is divided into three: Evo, Apara and Rebisi (Port Harcourt). Obio is regarded as the common ancestor of the Evo and Apara communities; Evo is the senior while Apara is younger. Evo: This is subdivided into three: Oro–Evo: (Rumuodomanya, Rumurorlu, Oginigba, Rumuobiakani, Rumuobochi, Woji, Rumuibekwe, Rumuogba) Oro – Esara: (Okporo:{Rumuokwurusi, Rumuodara, Iriebe}, Rumuokoro, Orogwe, Atali) Oropotoma: (Rumuomasi and Elelenwo) Apara: Apara, the second son of Obio, had nine children: Eneka, Nkpoku, Ekinigbo, Okwuta, Adaolu (a daughter), Epirikom, Ola, Orosi, and Rebisi. These descendants founded the principal Apara communities of Eneka, Rukpokwu, Rumuigbo, Rumuokwuta, Rumuadaolu, Rumuepirikom, Rumuola, and Rumuorosi, respectively. Rumueme was established in the Apara territory, after Ozuruoha, one of Epirikom's descendants had invited his in-laws from Isiokpo to help him wage a war against his kinsman. Rumueme is said to be where these warriors from Isiokpo had resided permanently. Rumuomoi also joined in the said war and is believed to come from Isiokpo and joined Apara later. Rebisi: This is an offshoot of the Apara clan. Rebisi had fled Apara during a conflict with his brothers. Rebisi had seven children: Ochiri, Adasobia, Olozu, Worukwo, Ezimgbu, Ogbum and Abali. The descendants founded: Orochiri, Oroada, Orolozu, Oroworukwo, Oromerezimgbu, and Ogbumnuabali (a merger of Orogbum and Oroabali), respectively. Internal migrations led to the establishment of other communities from the original seven, such as Elekahia. Others are Nkpogu, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Nkpolu Orogbum, Rumuwoji, Rumukalagbo, Oroije, Rumuibekwe and Orominieke. Akpor: Akpor is located east of the REO group, south of the Ishiali group and west of Obio. The clan has ten communities: Ozuoba, Choba (Isoba), Ogbogoro, Rumuosi, Rumuolumeni, Rumuokparali, Rumualaogu, Rumuokwachi, Rumuekini and Alakahia.
Origin
The ancestral name of the Ikwerre people is Iwhuruohna in Ikwerre language. The history of the Ikwerre people is vast with Aborigine Hypothesis and Internal Migration theories.The paramount rulers in Ikwerre Land are united in what is known as Ogbakor Ikwerre, which was formed in 1963 as an umbrella socio-cultural organization of the Ikwerre people.
Ethnic identity The Ikwerre are an ethnic group in Rivers State, Nigeria. The relationship between Ikwerre ethnic identity and the classification of the Ikwerre language has been discussed separately in linguistic and historical scholarship. The Ikwerre language is classified as an Igboid language within the West Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
A 2022 study by Chieme Azubuike and Tunde Uchegbuo, published in the Asian Journal of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, examined the effectiveness of radio broadcasting in preserving the ethnic identity of the Ikwerre people. The researchers used a survey design and obtained a sample of 400 respondents from the Ikwerre-speaking ethnic nationality. The study reported that 92.5% of respondents agreed that vernacular radio broadcasting helped restore the cultural identity of the Ikwerre people.
The authors describe the Ikwerre as a distinct ethnic nationality and argue that vernacular broadcasting can contribute to the preservation of Ikwerre language and cultural identity. The study also discusses what the authors describe as the historical influence of the Igbo language and Igbo political and cultural influences in Ikwerre areas during the period when the territory formed part of the Eastern Region of Nigeria.
The study provides evidence concerning ethnic self-identification among the respondents surveyed, but its findings do not by themselves determine the wider scholarly classification of the Ikwerre people or the Ikwerre language.
Establishments in Ikwerre land "The acquisition of Ikwerre land began in 1913 by the British colonial government when it acquired a parcel of land from the Rebisi clan of Diobu because the then colonial government wanted to develop a harbor in the area. Once the sea port was established, the place became busy with commerce and trade and with a beehive of activities.
In recent times, as the tempo of oil and gas exploration increased in Rivers State, it invariably put more pressure on Ikwerre land and its resources. As land was needed for development purposes within Port Harcourt and its environs, it was natural to turn to Ikwerre people who inhabit Port Harcourt and the surrounding territories.
Leadership structure
The Ikwerre exist in well-delineated clans, with each clan having its own paramount king. The Ikwerre do not have an overall paramount ruler or king, but designated kings, rulers or leaders mostly approved by their constituents. However, all paramount rulers in Ikwerre are united in what is known as Ogbakor Ikwerre, which was formed in 1963 as an umbrella socio-cultural organization of the Ikwerre people.Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada (1998). "The Ikwerre ethnic group: location of residence, language, political or cultural organizations, militant activities, arrests in 1996 and 1997, and relations with the Nigerian government and military". Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria
Ikwerre land and industrial activities The Ikwerre play host to several multinational oil-producing and servicing companies, in addition to many other industries and establishments. Despite these, the Ikwerre, like nearly all other minorities of the Niger Delta, frequently complain of marginalisation by the oil operatives.
"The Ikwerre community faced problems of marginalization, extreme poverty and environmental degradation of its land and rivers in the Niger Delta through the exploitation of oil and gas resources. Calls were made for the full participation of the Ikwerre people in the control of resources and decision-making on development; the urgent provision of electricity; improved health care and education services; and youth employment opportunities."
Notable people
Simeon Chituru Achinewhu, biochemist, scholar and university administrator Elechi Amadi, writer Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor, Rivers State, and former, Minister of Transportation Thankgod Amaefule (born 1984), soccer player Kingsley Chinda, minority leader, House of Representatives Monalisa Chinda, actress Mercy Chinwo, gospel musician Gift Ugochukwu Christopher (G.U.C) gospel music minister Tonto Dikeh, actress, musician, and politician Frank Eke, Nigerian medical doctor and politician. He was the first Deputy Governor of Rivers State and Ikwerre man to study at Harvard University USA Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta North, Omah Lay, musician Duncan Mighty, musician Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, Vice-Chancellor Rivers State University Celestine Omehia, former governor of Rivers State Emmanuel Onunwor, former mayor of East Cleveland, Ohio, US Austin Opara, former Deputy Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives Obi Wali, professor, and politician Herbert Wigwe, CEO, Access Bank PLC Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State, and Minister of the FCT
See also Rebisi Indigenous peoples of Rivers State
References