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available. When prompted Idomas generally will proudly tell you where they are from, and it's not uncommon for Idoma to be able to recite at least four generations of their progenitors. Historically, being unable to answer the emblematic question “Who is your father?” disqualified one from important roles and titles in
Idomaland. Quite naturally, a number of villages trace origins to single ancestors and further, several Idoma groups trace their heritage to one common ancestor, considered the “father” of the different groups. According to traditional history, Iduh, the father of the Idoma had several children who each established different areas. Hence the expression: “Iduh the father of Idoma.” “Iduh the father of Idoma Iduh who begot all the Idoma He also begot the following children: Ananawoogeno who begot the children of Igwumale; Olinaogwu who begot the people of Ugboju; Idum who begot the people of Adoka; Agabi who begot the people of Otukpo; Eje who begot the people of Oglewu; Ebeibi who begot the people of Umogidi in Adoka, Edeh who begot the people of Edumoga and Ode who begot the people of Yala ” While there may be some truth to the above, the Idoma cannot be said to have a unitary origin. Many Idoma groups and village subsets have their own histories complete with stories about how their people arrived at their current location. The Otukpa people descended from three ancestors: Owuno, Ameh-Ochagbaha and Oodo. The first two were brothers who migrated from Idah in Igalaland while Oodo migrated from Igbo land. As one can imagine, the ever-changing movement of people through time makes it difficult to study Idoma history. There are some Idomas who are originally Igbos and heavily intermarried with the Northern fringes of Igboland.
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said to be the original legendary cultural head of the Umu-eri, a subgroup of the Igbo people. Eri migrated from the Igala area and established a community in the middle of
Anambra river valley (at Eri-aka) in Aguleri where he married two wives. The first wife, Nneamakụ, bore him five children. The first was Agulu, the founder of Aguleri (The ancestral head of Eri Kingdom clans) (the Ezeora dynasty that has produced 34 kings till date in Enugwu Aguleri), the second was Menri, the founder of Umunri / Kingdom of Nri, followed by Onugu, the founder of Igbariam and Ogbodulu, the founder of Amanuke. The fifth one was a daughter called Iguedo, who is said to have borne the founders of Nteje, and Awkuzu, Ogbunike, Umuleri, Nando and Ogboli in Onitsha. As one of the children of Eri, Menri migrated from Aguleri, which was and still is, the ancestral temple of the entire Umu-Eri (Umu-Eri and Umu-Nri). His second wife Oboli begot Ọnọja, the only son who founded the Igala Kingdom in Kogi State. Among this group, there are those who believe both ethnic groups fled the same kingdom at some point in history. Many traditional Idoma spiritual chants and “secret” tongues spoken during traditional ceremonies are actually Igala dialects and there are some Idoma themselves who assert their Igala ancestry. There are yet other Idoma groups notably in the southern regions, which claim their ancestors arrived at their present location from the Northern fringes of Igboland as a result of land disputes. Scholars believe these people had most likely fled Apa too, settled and resettled.
136:, which include Igede, Alago, Agatu, Etulo, Ete, Akweya (Akpa) and Yala languages of Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Enugu, and Northern Cross River states. The Akweya subgroup is closely related to the Yatye-Akpa sub-group. The bulk of the territory is inland, south of river Benue, some seventy-two kilometres east of its confluence with River Niger. The Idoma tribe are known to be 'warriors' and 'hunters' of class, but hospitable and peace-loving. The greater part of Idoma land remained largely unknown to the West until the 1920s, leaving much of the colourful traditional culture of the Idoma intact. The population of the Idomas is estimated to be about 3.5 million. The Idoma people have a traditional ruler called the Och'Idoma who is the head of the Idoma Area Traditional Council. This was introduced by the British. Each community has its own traditional chief such as the former Ad'Ogbadibo of Orokam, Late Chief D.E Enenche. The Palace of the Och'Idoma is located at
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each with a different historical origin. Furthermore, the available genealogies indicate the existence of diverse ethnic groups who descended from ancestors other than Idu. In several of these cases, the claim of common descent is backed by both extensive genealogical connections and possession of common kinship totems. Erim contends that while Idu was certainly a migration leader—he was not the “father” of the Idoma in the sense implied in the above traditions. These two considerations make it difficult to simply accept the view that every group in
Idomaland is descended from Idu.
140:, Benue State. The present Och'Idoma, HRM, Elaigwu Odogbo John, the 5th Och'Idoma of the Idoma People was installed on the 30th of June, 2022 following the passing of his Predecessor HRH Agabaidu Elias Ikoyi Obekpa who ruled from 1996 to October 2021. Past Och'Idomas also include: HRH, Agabaidu Edwin Ogbu, who reigned from 1996 to 1997, HRH, Abraham Ajene Okpabi of Igede descent who ruled from 1960 to 1995 and HRH, Agabaidu Ogiri Oko whose reign took place between 1948 and 1959.
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189:(Okolofa Kingdom), a confederacy of several peoples. Informants in other ethnic groups have corroborated the existence of this kingdom, chiefly the Jukun who also believe they once ruled a confederacy called Kwararafa. In the Hausa book Kano Chronicle it is mentioned that Zaria, under Queen Amina conquered all towns as far as Kwarafara in the 15th century. At present, there is a
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in Benue State called Apa and is said to be the home of those who made the first migration from the historical kingdom. For many Idoma nationalists today, the name Apa elicits sentiments of past glory, and some in the political sphere have gone as far as suggesting it should become the name of a new
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Scholars have combined oral history with genealogical data and analysis of kinship totems to trace the roots of the Idoma people as a whole. One notable Idoma scholar E.O. Erim cites genealogical data, collected from most modern groups in Idoma suggesting that they derive from several ethnic groups,
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and dance is the primary method through which history has been passed in
Idomaland and is considered a central cultural institution. From a young age, Idoma children usually learn from their elder's stories of old and were brought up around extended families, which make multiple historical resources
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Other scholars point to historical and linguistic evidence that suggests that Idoma have ties with the Igala people to the west, concluding that the two nations came from a common ancestor. Angulu(1981) note that Igala and Igbo have important historical, ancestral and cultural relationships. Eri is
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While the marriage rites and customs of the Idoma people is not unlike that of the Igbos and some other south-eastern cultures, there are specific aspects that clearly distinguish their tradition. In some Idoma subcultures, the groom and his family have to present the bride with a rooster and some
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As suggested, a number of factors make it difficult to study Idoma historical origins of the Idoma people as a whole. In any event, it could be said that despite their heterogeneous origins, trading, marriage, language and other interactions among the Idoma have cultivated traditions and shaped a
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money on the marriage day after the bride price has already been paid. If she accepts, it is a sign of approval and disinterest if she rejects the gift. While there are no certain reasons to justify the need for a rooster, it remains an interesting part of the ceremony.
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The popular idea is that the Idoma are an ethnolinguistic group primarily found in the western areas of Benue State, Nigeria. This is because they are the second largest group in the state and occupy 9 local government areas (L.G.A.’s) which are:
347:, which is seen as the ancestral spirits – a link between the living and the dead. They host an annual "Aje Alekwu" festival where traditional religious practitioners commune and make sacrifices in the worship of their ancestors across the land.
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dance. It is a highly energetic dance that requires jumping (at regular intervals) on the toes in short period of time, and it also requires twisting of the body at every interval. A video of the
Ogirinya dance can be viewed on
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343:, Islam, and other foreign religions, the traditional belief systems of most ethnic groups in the country has been influenced by western practices. However, a majority of the Idoma people still believe strongly in the
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The Idomas have a strong attachment to the Alekwu-spirit of the ancestors which is believed to stand as an invisible watchdog of the family and communities while checkmating vices like adultery, theft and murder.
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Many Idoma kindred claims an ancestral homeland called Apa, north-east of present-day
Idomaland due to pressures of Northern invaders as recently as 300 years ago. The historical Apa was part of the ancient
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States. The men are obliged by tradition to pound yam for their wives, Unlike other cultures where the woman is expected to perform all culinary chores, the Idoma men are not always exempted.
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A Digital Art of elegant and energetic dancers from the Idoma speaking tribe of Benue State, Nigeria in their cultural attire of Red and Black strips.
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The traditional colours of the Idoma people are red and black stripes. This has only been around since the 1980s to foster a distinct Idoma identity.
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The history of the Idoma people precedes the history of Benue State (created 1976) and the history of the
Republic of Nigeria (created 1960).
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Angulu (1981) An Igbo
Civilization: Nri Kingdom and Hegemony Hardcover – 1 Apr 1981 by M.Angulu Onwuejeogwu
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to celebrate women and the various traditional cuisines. Most popular among their delicacies is the
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Published by the Author on behalf of the Idoma Native
Administration, Government of Nigeria. 1951.
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Bennett, Patrick R. & Sterk, Jan P. (1977) "South
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The Idoma people are known for their love of food, as there is an annual food festival in
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Armstrong, Robert G. 1983. The Idomoid languages of the Benue and Cross-River valleys.
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The most famous traditional dance of the Idoma people is known as
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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/Dunamis_International_Gospel_Centre
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608:"Idoma | Idoma Culture, Language & History | Britannica"
535:"Buhari celebrates Odogbo on investiture as 5th Och'Idoma"
384:, former State Minister of Education, author and essayist
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Young Idoma woman wearing traditional colours peeling yam
456:, Nigerian Singer and winner, MTN Project Fame, Season 4
396:, Air Vice Marshal, former Chief of Defense Intelligence
560:"Paramount ruler of Idoma nation, HRH Obekpa, is dead"
510:"Ortom Installs New Ochi'Idoma in Benue – THISDAYLIVE"
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34:Idoma children dressed in Idoma traditional attire
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584:"HRH, Agabaidu Elias Obekpa – Och'Idoma IV"
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50:Regions with significant populations
160:Traditional history of Idoma people
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390:, former Nigerian Senate President
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756:journalofwestafricanlanguages.org
737:Ethnologue Language Tree: Idomoid
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327:which is made with the peculiar
707:from the original on 2021-12-21
681:from the original on 2021-12-21
490:Indigenous People of Biafra USA
750:Studies in African Linguistics
533:Online, Tribune (2022-07-01).
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312:Traditional food (Okoho soup)
715:– via www.youtube.com.
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558:TheNigerian (2021-10-09).
459:Ada Ameh, Nigerian actress
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675:"Okpoga Cultural Dance"
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782:at Wikimedia Commons
370:2baba Innocent Idibia
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191:Local Government Area
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364:Notable Idoma people
335:Traditional religion
514:www.thisdaylive.com
420:, Nigerian musician
408:, author, historian
339:With the advent of
271:Traditional colours
152:Idoma territory in
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1201:Nigeria portal
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187:Kwararafa Kingdom
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486:"Our Story"
454:Monica Ogah
448:Super Eagle
424:Sharon Ooja
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318:Benue State
265:Cross River
114:Enugu State
98:Benue State
56:Benue State
45:2.5 million
1214:Categories
711:August 27,
685:August 27,
660:2016-06-18
617:2024-06-10
593:2022-09-03
569:2022-09-03
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519:2022-09-03
495:2019-06-28
472:References
412:Audu Ogbeh
388:David Mark
372:, musician
118:Kogi State
588:IdomaLand
446:, former
438:Nollywood
428:Nollywood
400:Abba Moro
253:Nassarawa
67:Languages
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832:Anlo Ewe
759:Archived
705:Archived
679:Archived
440:actress,
355:Marriage
293:Ogirinya
263:and the
233:Ogbadibo
164:Origin:
79:Religion
1146:Tangale
1111:Mandara
1096:Longuda
1004:Engenni
987:Ukwuani
982:Ikwerre
842:Afusari
724:Sources
430:actress
418:Terry G
298:YouTube
241:Okpokwu
229:Ohimini
154:Nigeria
132:of the
102:Nigeria
60:Nigeria
1176:Yoruba
1161:Urhobo
1116:Mumuye
1086:Kotoko
1081:Kofyar
1066:Kanuri
1061:Kamuku
1029:Nkoroo
972:Ekpeye
947:Ibibio
937:Goemai
932:Gbagyi
882:Djerma
872:Defaka
867:Chamba
862:Buduma
852:Bariba
837:Anaang
827:Afemai
450:player
345:Alekwu
249:Taraba
245:Otukpo
144:Origin
138:Otukpo
94:Idomas
1181:Ijebu
1151:Tarok
1131:Ogoni
1091:Kuteb
1076:Kirdi
1071:Kilba
1056:Jukun
1041:Isoko
1034:Obolo
1024:Nkoro
1009:Ibani
999:Bille
977:Etche
962:Igede
957:Igala
952:Idoma
942:Hausa
912:Eleme
887:Ebira
877:Dendi
857:Berom
847:Atyap
329:Okoho
322:Okoho
261:Enugu
217:Agatu
73:Idoma
23:Idoma
1171:Yakö
1166:Waja
1141:Tera
1136:Saro
1126:Ogba
1121:Nupe
1101:Mafa
1019:Kula
994:Ijaw
967:Igbo
927:Fula
917:Esan
907:Ekoi
902:Eket
897:Efik
713:2019
687:2019
325:soup
257:Kogi
243:and
120:and
92:The
1156:Tiv
922:Fon
892:Edo
237:Oju
225:Obi
221:Apa
213:Ado
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