13 Interesting Facts About the People of Itsekiri Ethnic Group In Nigeria

Do you want to learn about the Itsekiri people? Want to know more about their state and current location? Did you know that the Itsekiri people are also called, Isekiri, Ijekiri, Ishekiri, or Itsekhiri people? This post will give you 13 Interesting Facts About the People of Itsekiri Ethnic Group in Nigeria.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Itsekiri Ethnic Group

The Itshekiri people are part of the many ethnic groups that forms the country. Although they are a minority group, they are also a unique people. They have a beautiful culture as well as lifestyle.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Itsekiri Ethnic Group In Nigeria

The following are interesting facts about the people of Itsekiri ethnic group in Nigeria as well as their resident state.

1. State Of Residence In The Country

The Itsekiri people live in Delta State, the south-south geopolitical zone in Nigeria. They occupy north-west regions of the Niger Delta.

2. Local Government Areas

The majority of them live in Warri South, Warri North, and Warri Southwest local government districts of Delta. Other local government areas include Ikpoba-Okha, Oredo, and Ovia southwest local government areas in Edo state.

3. Population is One of the Interesting Facts About the People of Itsekiri Ethnic Group

The Itsekiri people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria with a population estimate of 1,000,000 plus people.

4. Language

Itsekiri is the main language spoken by the Itsekiri people. It is a Yoruboid language. It is closely related to Ilaje and other southeastern Yoruba languages.

5. Communities

The Itsekiri make up a large proportion of the communities in Sapele, Warri, Burutu, and in Forcado.

6. Geography is Also an Interesting Facts About the People of Itsekiri Ethnic Group

The Itsekiri are always found in swamps and freshwater wetlands. They live in the coastal area of extensive mangrove swamps. They refer to their land as the Kingdom of Warri or Iwere. This is because the land is a key centre for crude oil and natural gas production in Nigeria.

7. Occupation

Fishing is their main source of livelihood. They employ the use of nets, traps and fences in their fishing activities. Some of the men and women make mats for sale while others practice the act of blacksmith.

8. Notable People Of Itsekiri

These people are the few recognized people in Itsekiri history and present;

  • FOM Atake.
  • Grace Alele Williams.
  • Festus Okotie-Eboh.
  • Emmanuel Uduaghan.
  • Julie Coker.
  • Oritse Femi.
  • Sunday Tuoyo.
  • Arthur Priest.

It is important to note that these names are the names of people that have made their mark in the tribe. There are other notable people as well.

9. Ethnicity is Among the Interesting Facts About the People of Itsekiri Ethnic Group

People Group: Itsekiri.

People Cluster: Yoruba.

Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan People.

Ethnicity Code: NAB59n.

10. Religion

The largest religion in practice by the Itsekiris is the Christian religion. They also have a high percentage of evangelism. Christianity was introduced in Itsekiri during the 16th century but people did not buy the belief as at that time because they were deeply rooted in the traditional form of religion known as Ebura-tsitse. This traditional religion is the worshipping of their ancestors.

11. Education

The Itsekiri people take pride in education. They value education very much, especially Western Education. They have a history in the 17th century when they raised a graduate of Coimbra University in Portugal from their tribe. The graduate was the Olu Atuwatse of Olu Kingdom.

12. Dressing is Another Interesting Facts About the People of Itsekiri Ethnic Group

The traditional style of dressing for males is Kameje (long sleeve shirt) and a george wrapper tied around the waist as well as a hat with feathers to complete the attire. The women tie the same george wrapper with a blouse on top. They wear ornaments like head beads or coral beads and also a scarf.

13. History Of Their Ethnic Group

The Itsekiri share a close relationship with the Yoruba people. In language and in some cultural styles. They also share a close relationship with the Igala people of central Nigeria. Some cultural practices are from the modification of the Ijebu people, Ile-Ife, and Benin.

One of the Itsekiri kingdoms claims that they are a direct descendant of the Ijebu people. The fact remains that they are closely related to south-eastern and south-south Yorubaland sub-groups such as Ondo, Edo, Ijaw, Ikale, Urhobo, Ijebu, Akure, and Ilaje.

Conclusion

The Itsekiri people found in the westernmost part of Delta in the south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria are predominantly Itsekiri speakers that are mainly Christians and fishermen.

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