Etsakọ people

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people are the majority ethnic group in the northern region of Edo State, Nigeria. They are historically linked to the ancient Benin kingdom. Administratively, they presently occupy three local government areas of Edo State; these are Etsako East, Etsako West and Etsako Central, with Agenebode, Auchi, and Fugar, as their administrative headquarters, respectively[1]

The people of Owan are also referred to as Etsako. The Etsako, Owan, and Akoko-Edo people are often referred to as the Afenmai (Edo north), a land of warriors occupying the sprawling hills and valleys of Northern Edo state, that were derogatorily tagged kukuruku people by the invading colonialist, in memory of the rallying "battle cry" code-sound of the people. Afenmai people have close linguistic and historical relationship.[2] Local tradition of origin often trace their migration from Benin, which many oral traditionalists attribute probably to have happened around the 14th century BC. It is believed their ancestors must have settled in South Ibie before groups started moving to populate the other area they occupy like the Weppa Wanno lands, Okpella land, , etc.[citation needed][3]

Etsako is one of the three major ethnic groups in today's Edo State, and the most populous ethnic group in Edo North. The loyalty of an Etsako man firstly is to his home/homestead, Village, Clan, tribe, and ethnic group. Also strong affinity between the Etsako people and their neighbors can be deduced in some customary rites, borrowed words, and even migration pattern. A good example is the "Ajinebode" myth of the Idah Igala who believe that the early founder or ruler of Idah was "Ajinebode". This coincidence is worthy of further Historical elucidation since the mighty River Niger divides Idah in present-day Kogi State and Agenebode in Edo State.[4]

Economy and Occupation[]

Etsako land is naturally endowed with arable farmlands, natural minerals, freshwater streams and rivers including , well distributed in every community across the vast plains, valleys and hills, including mineral-rich mountains that decorate Etsako land. Naturally, Etsako people are traditionally engaged in crop and animal farming, fishery, hunting, and trading in the raw materials and by-products of the aforementioned industries. While many still engage in the traditional occupation of the people, industrialization and diversification have happened over many centuries. Today, Etsako people are prominently engaged in almost every known trade, occupation and works in Nigeria and the world.

Etsako people are predominantly into farming with very fertile land that produces groundnut, yam, maize, Rice in large wide range, and cassava. Mineral resources such as Coal, Limestone, Potassium, and Precious Stones of large commercial quantity are found in Etsako land, and with beautiful landscape and vegetation that can give tourism a whole new dimension. Compared to other parts of Edo state, Security in Etsakoland is better, and the people greatly host visitors.

Estako people are about one of the most vocal voices of political reason in Nigeria, and they are eminently known to lead social and political activism and people-oriented mass movements in colonial Nigeria to date.

Religion[]

Atheism is a very rare ideology among the Etsako people, as they are culturally pro-theism from historical record till date. Today, the Etsako people practice traditional spiritism, Christianity and Islam. Oghena, Osinegba, "Osi" and Oshio are the common words for used to refer to God in different communities and dialects of Etsako people.[citation needed]

Music[]

Etsako People are widely known for their Etsakor Music, with artists like Hon. Vincent Ugabi, Sir Alh. Waziri Oshoma, Late Gen. Bolivia Osigbeme, Late Madam Agbaobesi, Benji Igbadumhe, Renosi Momoh, Agbi Dance Groups of Wanno and Omoake Oshiomha a.k.a. (Omowinsone of Imiegba aincludedare the late Bolivia's son popularly known as Constantinopos Bolivia Osigbemhe (avi no pie), Ekpe Young, etc., that entertain a large number of Nigerians both in Edo & Delta States to Lagos, Kaduna, Kano and Abuja and the northern and Middle Beltern states of Nigeria in general.[citation needed]

Etsako Music can be arguably described as the biggest influence the Etsakor people have over their neighbors, as some of these neighbors adopt Etsakor Music as their known and acceptably traditional music.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Enaikele, M. D. (2014). "Etsako: An Anthropological Reflection of an Endangered Minority Language in Nigeria" (PDF). The Journal of Pan African Studies. 7 (4).
  2. ^ "::Etsako Language::". etsakolanguage.com. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  3. ^ Enegbuma, Stanley; Odigie, Albert (2019). "Okpekpe North Ibie (Northern Edo) Resistance to the Nupe Ghazi (Raids) in the 19th Century". Journal of Benin and Edo Studies. 4: 68–87.
  4. ^ "Regions In Edo State – Visit Edo". Retrieved 2021-07-15.
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