46-642: The Itsekiri (also called the Isekiri , i Jekri , Itsekri , Ishekiri , or Itsekhiri ) are an ethnic group who mainly inhabit Nigeria's Niger Delta area. They speak a Yoruboid language and can be found in Ondo , Edo and Delta State . The Itsekiris presently transcends a population of over 1 million people and live mainly in parts of Ondo, Edo and majorly in the Warri South , Warri North and Warri South West local government districts of Delta State on
92-1065: A Yoruboid language and can be found in Ondo , Edo and Delta State . The Itsekiris presently transcends a population of over 1 million people and live mainly in parts of Ondo, Edo and majorly in the Warri South , Warri North and Warri South West local government districts of Delta State on the Atlantic coast of Nigeria . Large Itsekiri communities and population can also be found in 5 other local government areas of delta state Okpe Local Government , Uvwie Local Government , Udu Local Government , Sapele Local Government , Ethiope West Local Government Areas in Delta Central senatorial district , Delta State Nigeria. Other significant communities of Itsekiris can be found in parts of Edo and Ondo states and in various other Nigerian cities including Lagos , Benin City , Port Harcourt and Abuja . Many people of Itsekiri descent also reside in
138-649: A first language amongst the younger generation. Modern standard Yoruba (the variety spoken in Lagos) also appears to be influencing the Itsekiri language partly due to the similarity between both languages and the ease of absorbing colloquial Yoruba terms by the large Itsekiri population living in Western Nigerian cities. Itsekiri is now taught in local schools up to university degree level in Nigeria. There are
184-418: A first language amongst the younger generation. Modern standard Yoruba (the variety spoken in Lagos) also appears to be influencing the Itsekiri language partly due to the similarity between both languages and the ease of absorbing colloquial Yoruba terms by the large Itsekiri population living in Western Nigerian cities. Itsekiri is now taught in local schools up to university degree level in Nigeria. There are
230-650: A group of Yoruba tribes who migrated to the Niger delta region. The Yoruba tribes that made up the Itsekiri people were primarily from the Ijebu , Mahin/Ilaje , Ugbo , Owo/Ọ̀ghọ̀ , igala and Ile-Ife regions. These groups were collectively known as the "Olukumi" people, with "Olukumi" translating to "my friend" in the itsekiri language. This name was used to refer to the Yoruba people for centuries. A significant event in Itsekiri history occurred when Olu Ginuwa left
276-492: A group of Yoruba tribes who migrated to the Niger delta region. The Yoruba tribes that made up the Itsekiri people were primarily from the Ijebu , Mahin/Ilaje , Ugbo , Owo/Ọ̀ghọ̀ , igala and Ile-Ife regions. These groups were collectively known as the "Olukumi" people, with "Olukumi" translating to "my friend" in the itsekiri language. This name was used to refer to the Yoruba people for centuries. A significant event in Itsekiri history occurred when Olu Ginuwa left
322-472: A hybrid of the many cultures that have influenced its development. Similarly owing to the complex genetic mix of most Itsekiris over the centuries, many individuals self-identifying as Itsekiri would usually be a complex mix of any of the aforementioned ethnic and racial groups. Thus modern day Itsekiris may be the only southern Nigerian ethnic group to be almost totally heterogeneous (mixed) in its genetic composition. The total absence of any dialectal variation in
368-472: A hybrid of the many cultures that have influenced its development. Similarly owing to the complex genetic mix of most Itsekiris over the centuries, many individuals self-identifying as Itsekiri would usually be a complex mix of any of the aforementioned ethnic and racial groups. Thus modern day Itsekiris may be the only southern Nigerian ethnic group to be almost totally heterogeneous (mixed) in its genetic composition. The total absence of any dialectal variation in
414-528: A key branch of the Yoruboid family of languages even retaining archaic or lost elements of the proto Yoruba language due to its relative isolation in the Niger-Delta where it developed away from the main cluster of Yoruba language dialects. Unlike nearly all key Nigerian Languages, the Itsekiri language does not have dialects and is uniformly spoken with little or no variance in pronunciation apart from
460-411: A key branch of the Yoruboid family of languages even retaining archaic or lost elements of the proto Yoruba language due to its relative isolation in the Niger-Delta where it developed away from the main cluster of Yoruba language dialects. Unlike nearly all key Nigerian Languages, the Itsekiri language does not have dialects and is uniformly spoken with little or no variance in pronunciation apart from
506-569: A number of semi-autonomous Itsekiri communities such as Ugborodo, koko, Omadino and Obodo whose history predates the 15th-century establishment of the Warri Kingdom . The Ugborodo community claims direct descent from the Ijebu a major Yoruba sub-ethnic group. Jekri The Itsekiri (also called the Isekiri , i Jekri , Itsekri , Ishekiri , or Itsekhiri ) are an ethnic group who mainly inhabit Nigeria's Niger Delta area. They speak
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#1732765807599552-401: A number of semi-autonomous Itsekiri communities such as Ugborodo, koko, Omadino and Obodo whose history predates the 15th-century establishment of the Warri Kingdom . The Ugborodo community claims direct descent from the Ijebu a major Yoruba sub-ethnic group. Kingdom of Warri The Kingdom of Warri , Warri Kingdom or Iwere Kingdom , ( Itsekiri : Oye Iwere ) was established in 1480,
598-530: A prince of Benin Kingdom founded the Warri kingdom about 1480. In the 15th century, it was visited by Portuguese missionaries. At the beginning of the 17th century, a son of the reigning Olu was sent to Portugal and returned with a Portuguese wife. Their son Antonio Domingo was Olu of Warri in the 1640s. Olu Erejuwa , who reigned from about 1760 to 1800, expanded the kingdom politically and commercially, using
644-720: The Itsekiri , the Ijaw ethnic groups. Over 200,000 people were displaced by the Warri conflict between 1999 and 2006. Over 700,000 people were displaced during this period by violence in Delta State overall. The conflict broke out following a government decision that changed the location of the Warri South West Local Government Council (LGA) to the Itsekeri community of Ogidigben from
690-475: The Kingdom of Benin to found the Kingdom of Warri . During this time, Bini migrants who were chasing Olu Ginuwa joined the Yoruba group in the area and founded Okere . The Kingdom of Warri has continued on to the present day with Ogiame Olu Atuwatse III currently ruling as king of Warri Kingdom. The Warri Kingdom's historical capital is Ode-Itsekiri (also called "Big Warri" or "Ale Iwerre"), although
736-422: The Kingdom of Benin to found the Kingdom of Warri . During this time, Bini migrants who were chasing Olu Ginuwa joined the Yoruba group in the area and founded Okere . The Kingdom of Warri has continued on to the present day with Ogiame Olu Atuwatse III currently ruling as king of Warri Kingdom. The Warri Kingdom's historical capital is Ode-Itsekiri (also called "Big Warri" or "Ale Iwerre"), although
782-586: The Atlantic coast of Nigeria . Large Itsekiri communities and population can also be found in 5 other local government areas of delta state Okpe Local Government , Uvwie Local Government , Udu Local Government , Sapele Local Government , Ethiope West Local Government Areas in Delta Central senatorial district , Delta State Nigeria. Other significant communities of Itsekiris can be found in parts of Edo and Ondo states and in various other Nigerian cities including Lagos , Benin City , Port Harcourt and Abuja . Many people of Itsekiri descent also reside in
828-529: The Ijaw town of Ogbe Ijoh. The Council headquarters was eventually returned to Ogbe Ijoh, which restored a fragile peace in 2005. The Warri Crisis is part of a broader conflict over oil in the Niger Delta . Human Rights Watch determined that "although the violence has both ethnic and political dimensions, it is essentially a fight over the oil money." Ongoing armed conflict in the Niger Delta region, and
874-416: The Itsekiri language is also unique for the region and is most likely the result of the early coalescing of the Itsekiri people into a small and highly centralised nation state from the 15th century onward. The Itsekiri people are an ethnic group with a rich history that dates back almost a thousand years before the founding of the Kingdom of Warri . According to historical records, Itsekiri were formed by
920-415: The Itsekiri language is also unique for the region and is most likely the result of the early coalescing of the Itsekiri people into a small and highly centralised nation state from the 15th century onward. The Itsekiri people are an ethnic group with a rich history that dates back almost a thousand years before the founding of the Kingdom of Warri . According to historical records, Itsekiri were formed by
966-969: The Itsekiri were the first people in Nigeria to establish contact with the Portuguese who were exploring the West African coast, and also more recently, English. Although linguistically related to the Yoruba and Igala ethnic groups, however, through centuries of intermingling modern day Itsekiris are of mixed ethnic origins. They are most closely related to the South-Eastern and South-South Yorubaland sub-groups - Ijebu , Akure , Ikale , Ilaje , Ondo and Owo , but also Edo , Urhobo and Ijaw . The Itsekiri today are mainly Christian (Protestant and Roman Catholic) by religion. Thus having had six centuries of direct cultural exposure to Western Christianity and other African influences, contemporary Itsekiri language and culture has successfully evolved into
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#17327658075991012-785: The Itsekiri were the first people in Nigeria to establish contact with the Portuguese who were exploring the West African coast, and also more recently, English. Although linguistically related to the Yoruba and Igala ethnic groups, however, through centuries of intermingling modern day Itsekiris are of mixed ethnic origins. They are most closely related to the South-Eastern and South-South Yorubaland sub-groups - Ijebu , Akure , Ikale , Ilaje , Ondo and Owo , but also Edo , Urhobo and Ijaw . The Itsekiri today are mainly Christian (Protestant and Roman Catholic) by religion. Thus having had six centuries of direct cultural exposure to Western Christianity and other African influences, contemporary Itsekiri language and culture has successfully evolved into
1058-622: The Olu of Warri Kingdom, Olu Atuwatse I, Dom Domingo a 17th-century graduate of Coimbra University in Portugal. The Itsekiris traditionally lived in a society that was governed by a monarchy (the Olu) and council of chiefs who form the nobility or aristocracy. Itsekiri society itself was organised along the lines of an upper class made up of the royal family and the aristocracy – the 'Oloyes and Olareajas' these were mainly drawn from noble houses including
1104-466: The Olu of Warri Kingdom, Olu Atuwatse I, Dom Domingo a 17th-century graduate of Coimbra University in Portugal. The Itsekiris traditionally lived in a society that was governed by a monarchy (the Olu) and council of chiefs who form the nobility or aristocracy. Itsekiri society itself was organised along the lines of an upper class made up of the royal family and the aristocracy – the 'Oloyes and Olareajas' these were mainly drawn from noble houses including
1150-413: The Portuguese to further its control of tributaries in river trade and to establish control over a wider area. Later, Warri served as the base for Portuguese and Dutch slave traders . Warri became a more important port city during the late 19th century, when it became a centre for the palm oil trade and other major items such as rubber , palm products, cocoa , groundnuts , hides, and skins. Warri
1196-621: The Royal Houses and the Houses of Olgbotsere (Prime Minister or king maker) and Iyatsere (defence minister). The middle class or Omajaja were free-born Itsekiris or burghers. As a result of the institution of slavery and the slave trade there was a third class 'Oton-Eru' or those descended from the slave class whose ancestors had come from elsewhere and settled in Itsekiriland as indentured or slave labourers. In modern-day Itsekiri society
1242-445: The Royal Houses and the Houses of Olgbotsere (Prime Minister or king maker) and Iyatsere (defence minister). The middle class or Omajaja were free-born Itsekiris or burghers. As a result of the institution of slavery and the slave trade there was a third class 'Oton-Eru' or those descended from the slave class whose ancestors had come from elsewhere and settled in Itsekiriland as indentured or slave labourers. In modern-day Itsekiri society
1288-727: The United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. The Itsekiris are closely related to the Yoruba of South Western Nigeria and also close to the Urhobo people and Edo peoples. The Itsekiris traditionally refer to their land as the Kingdom of Warri or 'Iwere' as its proper name – which is geographically contiguous to the area covered by the three Warri local government districts. The area is a key centre of Nigeria's crude oil and natural gas production and petroleum refining and
1334-491: The United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. The Itsekiris are closely related to the Yoruba of South Western Nigeria and also close to the Urhobo people and Edo peoples. The Itsekiris traditionally refer to their land as the Kingdom of Warri or 'Iwere' as its proper name – which is geographically contiguous to the area covered by the three Warri local government districts. The area is a key centre of Nigeria's crude oil and natural gas production and petroleum refining and
1380-703: The appearance of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in 2005 are continued expressions of these tensions. The Kingdom of Warri has remained predominantly Christian since the coronation of its first Christian King/ Olu Atorongboye also known as King Sebastian I in 1570, within a century of the foundation of the Iwere Kingdom. Below is a list of the rulers of the Warri Kingdom from inception. Note that written records began with
1426-471: The introduction of Christianity in the 16th century, like many other African groups, the Itsekiris largely followed a traditional form of religion known as Ebura-tsitse (based on ancestral worship) which has become embedded in modern-day traditional Itsekiri culture. Once the dominant form of western Christianity in Itsekiriland for centuries, only a minority of Itsekiris are Roman Catholics today whilst
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1472-411: The introduction of Christianity in the 16th century, like many other African groups, the Itsekiris largely followed a traditional form of religion known as Ebura-tsitse (based on ancestral worship) which has become embedded in modern-day traditional Itsekiri culture. Once the dominant form of western Christianity in Itsekiriland for centuries, only a minority of Itsekiris are Roman Catholics today whilst
1518-507: The main town Warri (a multi-ethnic metropolis) forms the industrial and commercial nucleus of the Delta State region. The Itsekiri are a people of mixed ethnic origins who speak a language very closely related to the Yoruba of south western Nigeria and the Igala language of central Nigeria but which has also borrowed some cultural practice from the Ijebu people , Ile-Ife and Benin, they engaged with Portuguese in trade terminologies, as
1564-454: The main town Warri (a multi-ethnic metropolis) forms the industrial and commercial nucleus of the Delta State region. The Itsekiri are a people of mixed ethnic origins who speak a language very closely related to the Yoruba of south western Nigeria and the Igala language of central Nigeria but which has also borrowed some cultural practice from the Ijebu people , Ile-Ife and Benin, they engaged with Portuguese in trade terminologies, as
1610-601: The majority are Protestants notably Baptist and Anglican . Whilst genetically the Itsekiris are a complex mixture of the many different ethnicities and races that have settled in their area, the Itsekiri language is very closely related to the Ilaje and other south-eastern Yoruba dialects and to the Igala . It has also been influenced significantly by the Bini , Portuguese and English languages due to centuries of interaction with people from those nations. However, it remains
1656-499: The majority are Protestants notably Baptist and Anglican . Whilst genetically the Itsekiris are a complex mixture of the many different ethnicities and races that have settled in their area, the Itsekiri language is very closely related to the Ilaje and other south-eastern Yoruba dialects and to the Igala . It has also been influenced significantly by the Bini , Portuguese and English languages due to centuries of interaction with people from those nations. However, it remains
1702-598: The monarch's main palace is in Warri Town . The Itsekiri, though they are a minority group within Nigeria, have one of the oldest histories of western education in West Africa , and the Itsekiri in particular have a sense of pride associated with western education. In the Warri Kingdom, one the earliest instances of the pursuit of a western education by a Nigerian was by a Itsekiri prince in 1600. and are noted for producing one of its earliest university graduates –
1748-479: The monarch's main palace is in Warri Town . The Itsekiri, though they are a minority group within Nigeria, have one of the oldest histories of western education in West Africa , and the Itsekiri in particular have a sense of pride associated with western education. In the Warri Kingdom, one the earliest instances of the pursuit of a western education by a Nigerian was by a Itsekiri prince in 1600. and are noted for producing one of its earliest university graduates –
1794-538: The slave class no longer exists as all are considered free-born. Traditionally, Itsekiri men wear a long sleeved shirt called a Kemeje, tie a George wrapper around their waist and wear a hat with a feather stuck to it. The women wear a blouse and also tie a George wrapper around their waist. They wear colourful head gears known as Nes (scarf) or coral beads. Itsekiris are also famed for their traditional fishing skills, melodious songs, gracefully fluid traditional dances and colourful masquerades and boat regattas. Before
1840-535: The slave class no longer exists as all are considered free-born. Traditionally, Itsekiri men wear a long sleeved shirt called a Kemeje, tie a George wrapper around their waist and wear a hat with a feather stuck to it. The women wear a blouse and also tie a George wrapper around their waist. They wear colourful head gears known as Nes (scarf) or coral beads. Itsekiris are also famed for their traditional fishing skills, melodious songs, gracefully fluid traditional dances and colourful masquerades and boat regattas. Before
1886-420: The use of 'ch' for the regular 'ts' (sh) in the pronunciation of some individual Itsekiris, e.g. Chekiri instead of the standard Shekiri but these are individual pronunciation traits rather than dialectal differences. This may be a relic of past dialectal differences. The English language continues to exert a strong influence on the Itsekiri language both in influencing its development and in its widespread usage as
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1932-420: The use of 'ch' for the regular 'ts' (sh) in the pronunciation of some individual Itsekiris, e.g. Chekiri instead of the standard Shekiri but these are individual pronunciation traits rather than dialectal differences. This may be a relic of past dialectal differences. The English language continues to exert a strong influence on the Itsekiri language both in influencing its development and in its widespread usage as
1978-584: The vessels to provide protection for the personnel. Warri vessels may have utilized artillery. Jean-François Landolphe provided a description of the King's canoes in the early 19th century which he mentions to have mounted 7 blunderbusses arranged in series on a swivel . As a result, these guns could fire simultaneously and Landolphe states they were rarely used. The Warri Crisis was a series of conflicts in Delta State , Nigeria between 1997 and 2003 between
2024-423: Was dominated by arrows and javelins with the use of few muskets . By the following century, Warri forces became accustomed to firearms. In the late 18th century, the naval vessels of Warri were equipped with simple sails and primary sources documented that such vessels could carry some personnel of about 100. According to historian Thornton , the Warri navy was unfamiliar with tacking . Shields were built onto
2070-576: Was established as a provincial headquarters by the British in the early 20th century. In the work of Jean-François Landolphe published from his diary described the size of Warri Kingdom “The sovereign of this state owns not only both banks of the Benin river but also all the rivers of these parts as far as the tributaries of the Calabar or are near to it." In 1656, the equipment of the Warri military
2116-519: Was part of the Nigerian traditional states its ancestral capital is based in Ode-Itsekiri , Warri South LGA , Delta State , Nigeria with a palace erected in 1950s in the heart of the city of Warri , Warri South LGA , Delta State , Nigeria . The current Olu of Warri is Ogiame Atuwatse III , who was crowned on 21 August 2021. According to Bini and Itsekiri histories, Olu Ginuwa ,
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