The battle for the oldest tribe raged for ages in Nigeria and the Igbo seemed to lay claim to the fact they were the oldest tribe in Nigeria and in this critical piece the writer reproduced the claim by Igbo nationalist to buttress or open this argument "who is the tribe in Nigeria "
In the piece below a yoruba man Nurudeen Lawal wrote the oldest tribe in Nigeria is the Igbo.Before I passed my Verdict let me reproduce the intimidating essay.Enjoy the reading:
The Igbo people are descendants of the Nri Kingdom, the oldest in Nigeria. They have many customs and traditions and can be found in southeast Nigeria, consisting of about 18% of the population. This tribe differs from the others in that there is no hierarchical system of governance.
Who were the first inhabitants of Nigeria?
History of Nigeria: “Archaeological research, pioneered by Charles Thurstan Shaw has shown that people were already living in south-eastern Nigeria (specifically Igbo Ukwu, Nsukka, Afikpo and Ugwuele) 100,000 years ago.”
Igboland:
Of these:
About Afikpo | Afikpo Online
Afikpo is the second largest town in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The population is approximately half a million people and growing. The local language (okwu Ehugbo) is a dialect of Igbo, which is the common language among the five south eastern states of Nigeria (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states). However, most people in Afikp
What is the yoruba tribe most credited for in Nigeria?
I could list a thousand things the Yoruba community has contributed to Nigeria but above all would be liberalism but before we get to that, I’ll like to start from an historical perspective;
Putting an end to the Fulani Jihad bent on forcefully converting the entire region into Islam. Thanks to the victors of the Battle of Osogbo, we have both Christian and Muslims living peacefully in Nigeria today. Ok maybe the peaceful part is arguable but at least religious conflicts have never gone past the occasional communal conflict.
While you cannot credit Yoruba people specifically for Western education in Nigeria, you could credit them for making education mainstream. All Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity benefited from the old Western region’s free education policy.
A Yoruba guy championed the translation of the English bible into Yoruba and Igbo language.
Cultural dominance. The “oo” suffix on the typical Nigerian tongue is of Yoruba origin. Some times Nigerian music sounds better in Yoruba. I mean that in the most open minded way possible.
Most of the awesome Nigerian weddings you see are either Yoruba weddings or heavily influenced by Yoruba wedding culture. Aso-Ebi is Yoruba language for extended family uniform.
The Yoruba community serves as a buffer between the endemic hatred Igbos and Hausas have for each other. You can always trust the average Igbo guy to hate (as in really hate) the average Hausa guys and vice versa. In fact both tribes would rather enter an agreement with the Yoruba community than with each other; an Igbo guy would rather enter an agreement with a Yoruba guy than an Hausa-Fulani guy, an Hausa-Fulani guy would rather enter an agreement with a Yoruba guy than with an Igbo guy. Thanks to Yoruba people, we haven’t had a second Biafra war.
Religious freedom. Igbos are either Catholic, Methodist or Pentecostal, rarely Muslim (I’ve met Igbo Muslims in Abuja). Hausa-Fulanis are always Muslim no matter what, Yorubas are split in between Christian, Muslim, and traditional worship. The average Yoruba guy is lot less ethnocentric and or religiously dogmatic than any other Nigerian you’ll meet.
Liberalism, the Yoruba people are at the forefront of the fight for the freedom and liberties of most minority communities in Nigeria. Yorubas backed the establishment of the Mid-Western region for example and also seem to be the most outspoken in LGBT community in Nigeria.
What is the yoruba tribe most credited for in Nigeria?
I am a Nigerian and both my parents are Yoruba.
First of all Yoruba’s love partying, of all the ethnic groups in Nigeria we are known for throwing extravagant parties and do so for ridiculous reasons. a Yoruba man can bury his mother three different times with multiple years apart from each other and they can also conduct a wedding at three different locations with the bride and groom not being in two of them!
we have the highest rate of twins in the entire world,Igbo-Ora a town in Ibadan(predominantly Yoruba) is known as the twin headquarters of the world. Ask any typical Yoruba man if they hav
In Nigerian history, does the Bini tribe predate the Youroba tribe?
The Bini aren’t a tribe; the Yoruba aren’t a tribe. They are, I think, better described as a nation.
Using that parameter, the Bini nation predates the Yoruba nation.
Interestingly though, the Bini nation does not predate the Yoruba people; “Yoruba” is what the Hausa called their Oyo neighbours. The Bini nation was named by an Oyo Prince and united by his children who still reign till date, as the Eweka dynasty.
During the nation-building era of the 19th century, Samuel Crowther, an Oyo man, used the term Yoruba to describe the entirety of the people with a related language in South Western Nigeria. The name stuck, and here we are today.
Goes to show the many ways in which the identities often labelled Nigerian, and even African “tribes” were influenced by European ideas on the “nation”.
Which is the oldest tribe in Nigeria?
After researching deeply, I have concluded that the Igbo Ethnic Nationality in Nigeria is the oldest Ethnic Nationality or Group in Nigeria having existed since 1450BC (around 3500 years) and since 1187BC when it crowned its pioneer kings in Nri and Eri-Aka (now Agulueri) all located now in present day Anambra State.
Igbo Ethnicity was originally founded by Eri, a possible migration from Middle East (Israel through Egypt); who later settled at the confluence point of “Ezu and Omambala Rivers”, called “Agbanabo”. His first place of settlement is called “Eri-Aka” (now Agulueri) located in present Anambra East Local Government of Anambra State. The name “Anambra” or Anambra State is a corrupt spelling for “Omambala River”.
The second oldest Ethnic Nationality in Nigeria can expressly be traced to the doorsteps of Agbon (now called Agbor) and Bini (Benin) dynasties in present Edo and Delta States. The Peoples of the two named dynasties may most likely have existed for 2,917yrs or since 900BC. It is important to inform further that the Agbon or Agbor People and their kingship dynasty were not originally Igbo People, but Ominije People, who later in 701BC established their “Ogele Kingship dynasties”, which reigned till 1260AD with Ogele XIV Okwakpor as its last Ogele.The Igbo-Agbor Kingship dynasty was established in 1270AD with Ebonka as its first Igbo Dein of Agbor. The Bini Kingdom was much later established in 1180AD.
Hausa Ethnic Nationality is the third oldest tribe in Nigeria and has existed for 1,217yrs or since 800AD. Hausa Nation-State or Ethnic Nationality was founded by a Baghdadi (Iraq) Prince, named Bayajidda around 800AD; about two centuries before the ancient Kano was founded by one of his grandsons, named Bagauda who later became its first king or Sarkin Kano in 999AD.
According to the Kano Chronicle, ancient Kingdom of Kano recorded a total of 38 Sarkin Kano or Kings of Kano between 999AD and 1743AD before the invasion of the Fulani Islamic Jihadists led by Usman dan Fodio at the beginning of the 19th Century AD or early 1800s. Prince Bayajidda originally founded Daura (the oldest of the seven original Hausa States which is now in Katsina State). The seven original Hausa States are called Hausa bokwoi (original Hausa) or Hausa bakwai (seven true Hausa States founded by Bayajidda). Others including Fulani Ethnic Nationality, Nupe, Gwari and other settlements in Hausa Land areas or northern Nigeria are called Hausa banza (adopted Hausa people).
On the other hand, the Yoruba Nation State or Ethnic Nationality is the forth oldest Ethnic Nationality in Nigeria and has existed for 917yrs or since 1100AD having been founded by Oduduwa; a migrant who was said to have migrated from Middle East. He later sent his last son, Oranmiyan to Benin in about 1170AD as the first interim Oba of Benin and was later succeeded by Oba Eweka 1 in 1180AD as the first substantive Oba or King of Benin Empire.
Fulani Ethnic Nationality is the newest in Nigeria. It has only existed in Nigeria for 213yrs, having been founded by Usman dan Fodio; an Islamic scholar and urbanized Fulani Jihadist in 1804 during which it imposed till date Islamic Emperors in all its conquered communities including Ilorin and Bida Emirates with the exeption of the Borno Emirate, ruled till date by descendants of the rulers of Bornu Empire (1380AD-1893AD).
In all, there are 386 tribes in Nigeria and among them, Igbo Ethnic Nationality is the oldest, dating back to 1450BC when Eri was migrated and settled in Nigeria across the River Niger or 3,467yrs today.
Source: Emeka Umeagbalasi: 2017
After lots of comments and arguments about the oldest tribe in Nigeria
I still have this to add as it may enlighten why I still agree that Igbo is the oldest tribe in Nigeria
The Igbo tribe, also known as the Igbo people, is one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. The origins and age of the Igbo people are subjects of ongoing research and debate among historians, anthropologists, and archaeologists. It is difficult to determine the exact age of the Igbo tribe with certainty.
Based on available historical and archaeological evidence, it is believed that the Igbo people have inhabited the region of present-day Nigeria for thousands of years. The Nri Kingdom, considered one of the oldest kingdoms in Nigeria, is associated with the Igbo people and is said to have existed from around the 10th century AD. The Nri Kingdom played a significant role in the cultural and political development of the Igbo people.
The Igbo people have a rich cultural heritage, including a unique language, traditions, and social systems. Their history and cultural practices have been shaped by interactions with neighboring tribes and external influences over the centuries.
It's important to note that the Igbo people, like other ethnic groups in Nigeria, have a diverse and complex history, and there is ongoing research and exploration to uncover more about their origins and development.
What makes the 'Igbo' tribe in Nigeria, about the most successful tribe in Africa?
I run a pure water factory. When the business took off, I told one of my uncle's to find a place so I could supply him water to sell, take the profit and give back the cost price. After a while, he didn't remit any money, he made away with over 100k and when I met the family to confront him, he said that he can't be labouring for me and gets nothing in return.
Then I rented a shop of my own, employed another relation of mine and told him, I'll supply you wanter, sell it, remove the profit and return the cost price to me. In less than 2 months, he couldn't account for over 120k. One of his frien
Where did the Igbo people of Nigeria come from?
TLDR: Most likely from northwest of where Igbos currently live and across the Niger-River.
The Igbo language falls into the Igboid language family, whose closest relatives are the Yoruboid (Yoruba, Igala, Isekiri, etc), Edoid (Edo, Urhobo, Isan, etc), and Akokoid families (Ayere and Ahan), all of which are spoken primarily west of the Niger river. This family is known as the YEAI sub-family. Within YEAI, according to at least one scholarly source, the lexical similarity of core vocabulary between them based on 100-word Swadesh lists is generally in the 50% range (e.g., Yoruba — Igbo). As for th
Which Nigerian tribe were the first to migrate to Nigeria, and where did they migrate from?
I don’t know which “Tribe” migrated to what is called Nigeria today, because there were probably folks living in Nigeria before the Iron Age folks representing the Nok showed up in about 2000 B.C
Traditional rites and their celestial alignments in parts of south-eastern Nigeria
Preliminary investigations at two archaeological sites in south-eastern Nigeria are presented. These sites are the ancient stone circle in Ikom and the crescent shape of an ancient iron slag heap at Lejja, Nsukka. Here, we discuss the celestial alignments of these objects, and other traditional rites in this part of Niger
The first indigenous Nigeria are the Nok people. Nok people are in the present of Kaduns STATE today just browse the Nok Culture the follow by the. Koro, Bojju, Kagoma, kagoro, Kanikon, Adara
Who were the first Europeans to settle in Nigeria?
The First Europeans to Settle in Nigeria were the Portuguese
Europeans began exploration, trade, and missionary endeavors along the West Coast of Africa in the 15th century. The Portuguese were the first to do so, establishing trade with the Benin Kingdom, Lagos, and other regions along the coast. Portuguese dominance of these trade routes was overpowered in the 16th century by the British, French and Dutch, as the slave trade became very important. Slaves were taken from Nigeria to work on plantations in the Americas. During this period, Nigeria lost great numbers of people to the slave trade
Who are the indigenous people in Africa?
The San, they were here for thousands of years. The oldest bow and arrow was found in Sibudu Cave and dates back about 60,000 years.
The first people to arrive from somewhere else were the pastoral Khoi, they migrated out of Europe about 10,000 years ago and arrived in Southern Africa about 3000 years ago. Their DNA is connected to Europe (Southern area of Spain). The oldest evidence of domesticated sheep found in South Africa was found in the Spoegrivier area in the Northern Cape, it dates back 2000 years and it was the Khoi who brought them with their migration.
Then, about a 1000 years ago th
Where did the Igbo people of Nigeria come from?
The iron slags at Nsukka (Lejja + Opi), Enugu are not only among the oldest iron work sites in the world, but by far the oldest archaeological sites in what’s now called Nigeria. (6000–4000 years old).
Uturu stone works and weapons are roughly from the same era
Both predate Nok culture which was previously believed to be the oldest in the region.
Igbo Ukwu findings also predate Benin and Ife.
Linguists say that of all the Niger-Volta languages, Igbo is the oldest.
So will all of this in front of us asking where Igbos are ‘from’ should be on the back burner, and more attention should be paid on the
What makes the 'Igbo' tribe in Nigeria, about the most successful tribe in Africa?
Probably because they don’t blame everything on white people. Neither do they go around singing Bob Marley redemption songs. Igbo people are smart and they travel a lot. They are not afraid to travel to China to start a business.
Also, the Igbo people don’t have kings which they bow down to. They are one of the very few groups in Africa who have never had kings. Their system of governance was based on electing democratic leaders known as Ezes. So, if you were a crappy leader, you will be tossed aside.
Other tribes in Nigeria seem to have kings whom they obey. If the king says ‘drop your pants’ t
There are some DNA tests on 200,000 year old fossils. The ancestors of the Twa types (pygmies) and Bantu existed in central to west Africa at the time; so did a “ghost” population known only from DNA.
Who were the first inhabitants of Nigeria?
Where did the Igbo people of Nigeria come from?
What was Nigeria called before Nigeria?
What are the indigenous industries in Nigeria?
Where did the indigenous people in Canada come from?
Who was the first military head of state in Nigeria?
Which tribe in Nigeria has the most beautiful ladies?
Where was the origin of the Ekpeye's in Nigeria?
Which people should be considered 'indigenous'?
Why do Nigerians love to identify with the ethnic tribe group? For example, Yoruba, Igbo, etc. They seem to be the only African country that does that."
One sided argument is not good and with all this argument one may ask when the origin of nri came from.Nri came from Arochukwu and where did aro came from?
If onni of life was credited with saying the Igbo came from obatala and which offended olugbo of Igbo richest monarch of Africa.But before obatala we have orunmila who ruled in Ile ife before obatala.Orunmila with sixteen full compounds and where did they migrate go before obatala came regardless of their censure.
We must find ways to outrightly oppose Nurudeen Lawal the most comprensive essay ever read read on the greatest tribe in Nigeria.
