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 native languages and peoples of South-Eastern Nigeria. It was also in line with this grouping those 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.[3]
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).[6]
The Ishimbam clans include:
Elele,
Akpabu,
Elele-Alimini,
Egbeda,
Omerelu,
Apani,
Ubimini and
Omudioga.[8]
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.[8]
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:
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.[8]
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
Main Gate, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area
The ancestral name of the Ikwerre people is Iwhruọnha in Ikwerre language. The Ikwerre originated from the Grand ancestor Akalaka who also gave birth to the Ekpeye and Ogba etc. 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 tribe.
[9]
As expected of pre-literate African societies, the history of the people is wrapped in myth and mystery. This presupposes that historians may have to resort to oral tradition for the justifiable/credible construction of the people's history. The works of popular Ikwerre novelist and playwright Professor Elechi Amadi, especially The Concubine, The Great Ponds, The Slave (novels) and Isiburu (a verse play) literary gives a clear history of the Ikwerre people and their cultures and traditions.[10]
According to Prof. Eric Amadi in his article titled, "History Of Ikwerre People In Nigeria, He noted that some of the Ikwerre settlements have their roots from the old Benin Empire.[11]
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.[12]
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.[13]
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.[14]
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.[15][16] Despite these, the Ikwerre, like nearly all other minorities of the Niger Delta, frequently complain of marginalisation by the oil operatives.[17]
"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."[18][19]
Frank Eke, A first class monarch, Nigerian medical doctor and politician. He was the first Deputy Governor of Rivers State and Ikwerre man to study at the Harvard University USA
^ abcdIkunga, 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.
ISBN978-051-062-1.
^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
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