Mythologies of the Ebira People

The Ebira people are an ethnic-linguistic group of central Nigeria. Most Ebira people are from Kogi State, Nasarawa State. Their language is usually classified as a Nupoid variety within the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family. Until the separation of Kogi State from Kwara State, Okene was seen as the administrative center of the Ebira-speaking people in Kogi state, located not far from the Niger-Benue confluence. Since the formation of the state, the Ebira Ta'o people are predominantly found in five local governments in Kogi state, namely Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, and Okene. They are also found in large numbers located in the Federal Capital Territory, and Nasarawa in Toto LGA. Also, the Eganyi are found in Ajaokuta LGA. And the Etuno can be found in Igarra town of Amagongo, Okehi and Okene each with their administrative headquarters. Ebira Koto is found in Kogi and Koton Karfe LGA, Bassa LGA, Lokoja in Kogi and Abaji LGA in the Federal Capital Territory Akoko-Edo LGA, Edo state.

The Ebira (also spelt Igbira or Igbirra) are the outspoken and very hard working agrarian Nupoid-speaking ethno-linguistic group located in the Central Senatorial district of Kogi State (not far from the Niger-Benue confluence) in Nigeria. The word “Ebira” refers to the people themselves, their language and their geographical location. Using the name of the most popular town of the land, we may refer to them as Ebira Okene. The Ebira Okene occupy the hilly stretch of land southwest of the Niger-Benue confluence area and share boundaries with the Yoruba-speaking people of Akoko, Owe and Ijumu to the west; the various Akoko-Edo people to the south and south west; the Hausa, Nupe and Ebira groups at Lokoja to the north; and the River Niger to the east. Nigerian Nollywood stars Mercy Johnson and Halima Abubakar are from Ebira tribe. Other Ebira groups are Ebira Igu in Kogi and Koton Karfi local government areas of Kogi state; Ebira Toto and Umaisha ofNassarawa (Toto) local government area of Nassarawa state; Ebira Mozum of Bassa local government area of Kogi state; and Ebira Etuno of Igarra District of Ako-Edo local government area of Edo state. Other Ebira are to be found in Abaji in the Federal Capital Territory and Agatu in Benue state. The Ebira people are republican by nature, outspoken and very hard working. Farming and cloth-weaving are occupations for which the Ebiras are well known. The paramount ruler of the people is called Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. The Ebira cherish their traditional festivals in spite of the infiltration of some negative tendencies.

People in the regions northeast and southwest of the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers in central Nigeria are known as Igbira, also spelt Igbirra or Ebira. Their language belongs to the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family and is typically categorized as a Nupoid variant. The Ebira are a central Nigerian ethnic and linguistic group. The Kogi, Nasarawa, and the Edo States are home to the majority of Ebira people. Before Kogi State and Kwara State split apart, Okene—which is close to the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers—was considered the administrative hub of the Ebira-speaking population in Kogi State. The Ebira Ta’o people have been located in four local governments since the creation of the state: Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, and Okene, each with its own administrative centre. In the Federal Capital Territory, Ebira Koto may be located in Kogi and KotonKarfe local government areas, including Bassa LGA, Lokoja in Kogi and Abaji LGAs, and Nasarawa in Toto LGA. The Ajaokuta LGA is also home to the Eganyi. And the Etuno can be found in the Edo state town of Igarra in the Akoko-Edo LGA. A dense, deciduous forest near the Niger and Benue rivers and a hilly savanna region away from the rivers are the two main ecosystems in the Igbira region. However, in the present-day Kogi State in the North-Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria, the Ebira can be found. In this piece, Naijabiography explores the history and culture of the Ebira people, including their trade and economic growth as well as their social and political structures.

Anebira (also known as the ebira people) are a tribe whose language is Ebira. The Anebira live in Kogi State, which is in the north-central part of Nigeria. The festivals, language, beliefs, spirituality, ceremonies, and craftmanship of the Ebira people are the foundation of their very rich cultural heritage. In this article, we shall have an overview of the origin, culture, and tradition of from various perspective. The historical evolution of Ebira people can be traced down to a class of tribe known as the Jukuns who now dwell in Taraba State of Nigeria. The Ebira people are thought to have their origin from the jukuns and they are believed to have over the years, moved from the Jukun kingdom to where they now dwell in kogi state. The migration of the Ebira people from the territories of the jukuns took place in waves. The first phase of migration led to the creation of the Idah region of Kogi State for the Igala people. The second wave led to the establishment of the present day Ebira settlements in the local governments of Okene, Adavi, Okehi, and Ajaokuta. Today, the Ebiraland is considered to be the Nothern region of Kogi State. The Ebira people have long been renowned for their distinctive cultural practices, craft arts, and complex socio-political structure. Their ability to thrive and continue to make a substantial contribution to the rich and diverse cultural landscape of Nigeria is a result of their tenacity in upholding their identity and values.

Ebira, inhabitants of the areas northeast and southwest of the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers in central Nigeria. Their language is usually classified as a Nupoid variety within the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family. The two main habitats within the Igbira area are a dense, deciduous forest along the Niger and Benue rivers and a hilly savanna region away from the rivers. Most Ebira have traditionally engaged in agriculture; they grow mainly yams but also such crops as beans, millet, and corn (maize). The rivers are used for both fishing and transport. Women do most of the trading and sell both their own and their husbands’ produce.

Ebira households were traditionally based on extended families composed of close patrilineal relatives under the authority of the oldest male member. Inheritance and clan membership were reckoned patrilineally. Ebira could marry outside their clans, which were kinship groups represented by totemic animals such as the lion, the crocodile, the leopard, and the python. A key institution of social control was the iregba, a shrine where decisions on religious matters or social offenses were made.

Ebira means behavior when translated literally with ethics and hospitality as compliments. The unique features of Ebira culture with its ethnic aestheticism are appreciated most in the event of traditional marriages. Ebira people are republican by nature, outspoken and very hard working. Farming and clothweaving are occupations for which the Ebiras are well known. Primary crops grown for export are yam and cassava. Guinea corn is an important local commodity as the staple of most meals and is used in the brewing of beer. Due to abundance of rivers and streams on the Niger-Benue plateau, fishing is conducted by individual households. In recent years, larger fish farms have been developed by private and public firms. They are presently spread in five Local Government Areas of Kogi state namely: Adavi, Okene, Okehi, Ajaokuta and Ogorimagongo. A sizeable number is also found in Lokoja Local Government Area and Oyo state. The paramount ruler of the people is called Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. The Ebira cherish their traditional festivals and have several annual cultural festivals. The most prominent ones are ‘Echane’, ‘Eche Ori’ and ‘Ekuechi’. Ebira pay homage and respect to the dead. Many of the ritual practices associated with the Ebira are directly related to those of the Jukun, their distant ancestors. Although political power often rests in the hands of the patriclan, religious power usually is in the hands of the matriclan. This arrangement allows for a balance of power between kin and also allows the kinship relationships to be extended.

Ebira (pronounced as /eh 'be ra/; also known as Igbira, Egbura, or Okene) is a Niger-Congo language. It is spoken by around 2 million people in North central Nigeria. It is the most divergent Nupoid language. The majority of speakers are in Kogi State in the Central part of that state; constituting the second largest ethnic group according to national population commission census 2006 Nasarawa State in Toto Local Government Area, where the name is usually spelt Egbura; Edo State in the Town of Igarra, where the language is usually known as Etuno; and in the Federal Capital Territory in the Town of Abaji. It is also spoken in Lapai (Niger State), Makurdi (Benue State and Kwara State and some are also found in Ondo State (Akoko).

An elder beats the Agidibo to salute the spirits Ebira Tao is the largest of the several Ebira groups found in about 8 states of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Our sister groups are Ebira Koto and Ebira Mozum (Kogi state), Ebira Panda, Ebira Oje/Toto (Nassarawa state), Ebira Etuno (Edo state), Ebira Agatu (Benue state) Ebira Oloko (Ondo/Oyo/Osun states). The history of our origin were those compiled from Attah Omadivi and other Ebiran Clan Heads by the British colonial administrators in early 20th century. Our elders, through oral tradition, trace our descent to Wukari (in the present Taraba state) where we were an integral part of the Kwararafa confederation. In about 1680 AD, our ancestors (along with the Idoma and Igala) migrated out of Wukari over a chieftaincy dispute. Our people later split into various groups and settled in different locations between 1680 and 1750 AD. We Ebira Tao first sojourned with the Igalas at Idah but later crossed the River Niger and settled at Ebira Opete located in the vicinity of Upake in Ajaokuta LGA. Our ‘father’ of Ebira Tao who led us to this premier settlement in Ebiraland was Itaazi. Itaazi had five (5) sons who all later migrated from Ebira Opete and were the founders of the various districts in Ebiraland. The children and the districts they founded are Adaviruku/Ohizi (Adavi), Ododo (Okehi), Obaji (Eyika), Uga (Okengwe) and Ochuga/Onotu (Ihima). His daughter named Ohunene settled in Eganyi district. Members of the various clans in Ebiraland are descendants of the children of Itaazi. Ohizi had five children who are progenitors of the five traditional Adavi clans named after them. These are upopo-uvete (Apasi), Uka, Idu (Aniku), Adeyika and Uhwami. A migrant group from Eganyi known as Ezi-Onogu clan is also found in Adavi. The sons of Ododo who are the ancestors of Okehi clans were Okovi Oviri and Enwgukonyai. Obaji the founder of Eika had ten children named Ohiaga, Iyewe, Avassa, Ehemi, Anchi, Epoto, Egiri, Ubobo, Ogu and Eyire. Uga of Okengwe had two sons whose children constitute the present Okovi and Agada group of clans. Due to a sizeable concentration of other Ebira clans in Okengwe district, they formed a socio-political coalition known as Ada-ehi. Ochuga had six children and their descendants make up the six clans in Ihima. These are Emani, Oha/Idu, Ohueta, Ure, Ohongwa and Odumi. The seventh clan is Akuta who migrated from Okengwe. Though Itaazi’s daughter named Ohunene was the founder of Eganyi, not all the clans there are descended from her. Eganyi clans are Ede, Esugu, Eheda, Ogu, Onoko, Idu, Anavapa and Ogodo. The Aningere who are skilled craftsmen are found in all districts. They are, however, more concentrated in Okengwe and Adavi districts.

Ebira people are an ethno-linguistic tribe in Nigeria which are predominant in Kogi State (the central part of Kogi State). Some Ebira People can also be found in Kwara State, Zamfara State (Ebira Toto) and Edo State (Ebira Etuno) etc. Their are two different Ebira People in Kogi State which are Ebira Koton and Ebira Tao. Okene is said t be the headquarters of the Ebira People. Ebira Tao of Okene in Kogi State is the largest of all the Ebira race in about 8 states they dominated in Nigeria. Some elderly historians, through word of mouth have been able to trace the Ebira people’s origin to Wukari (in the present Taraba State, Northern part of Nigeria) we were an integral part of the Kwararafa confederation as the time. In about 1680 AD, our forefathers (along with the Idoma tribe and Igala tribe) migrated ofrom Taraba state over a chieftaincy dispute. Ebira people later split into various groups, and later settled in differet part of the country till today. The Ebira Tao in another word settled alongside Igala tribe at Idahbut later crossed the river niger to settle at Opete (Ebira Opete) this Ebira Opete is located at Upake vicinity of Ajaokuta Local Government Area (thesame LGA that housed the largest Iron Ore Producing Company in Africa. The leader of Ebira Tao as that time was Itaazi he was the one that led some Ebira People to this premier settlement in Ebiraland. Itaazi had 6 children who all later migrated from Ebira Opete and were the founders of the various districts in Ebiraland.

The History of Ebira People: The Ebira (also spelt Igbira or Egbira), These days Ebira is no more pronounced or spelt “Igbira or Egbira” because it is considered to be insulting to most of the Ebiras but then, Ebira people are an ethno-linguistic group of Nigeria. Many Ebira people are from Kogi State, Kwara State, Nasarawa State, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Edo State. Okene is said to be the administrative centre of the Ebira-speaking people in Kogi state, not far from the Niger-Benue confluence. Ebira Tao is the largest of the several Ebira groups found in about 8 states of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The other sister groups are Ebira Koto and Ebira Mozum (Kogi state), Ebira Panda, Ebira Oje/Toto (Nassarawa state), Ebira Etuno (Edo state), Ebira Agatu (Benue state) Ebira Oloko (Ondo/Oyo/Osun states). Written records about the origin of the Ebira people were those compiled from palace sources by the British colonial administrators in early 20th century. The Ebira, through oral tradition, trace their descent to Wukari (in the present Taraba state) where they were a constituent part of the Kwararafa confederation. In about 1680 AD, they (along with the Idoma and Igala) migrated out of Wukari a chieftaincy dispute. The Ebira later split into various groups and settled in different locations between 1680 and 1750 AD. The Ebira Tao first sojourned with the Igalas at Idah but later crossed the River Niger and settled at Ebira Opete located the vicinity of Upake in Ajaokuta LGA. The ‘father’ of the Ebira Tao who led them to this premier settlement in Ebiraland was Itaazi. Itaazi had five (5) sons who all later migrated from Ebira Opete and were the founders of the various districts in Ebiraland.

The Ebira people known as “Anebira” hail from Kogi State in Nigeria. The Anebira are renowned for their vibrant culture and rich economic activities. The economic activities of Anebira are rooted in the primary occupation passed across generations in Ebiraland by their ancestors before the advent of modernization and technology. This article explores the economic endeavors of the Ebira people, Through their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to preserving cultural traditions, the Ebira people have crafted a unique economic landscape that reflects their heritage and contributes to the local and national economy. The ancestors of Ebira people known as Ohiku Anebira in ebira tribe are believed to be farmers. Farmers in Ebiraland are called Anaare. They have a strong agricultural tradition and engage in various farming activities which they have transferred from generation to generation. They are known to be very good at cultivating yam. Some say the reason Ebira people are big growers of yam is because they love eating pounded yam. Some say it is because they have been blessed by Ori (harvest deity) with the skills of cultivating yam. And truthfully, the Ebira people celebrate Echori known as “the yam festival” annually, to appreciate Ori for blessing them with a robust yam harvest. They also cultivate other crops such as cassava, sesame seed, maize, millet, and groundnuts, which serve as staple foods and sources of income. The fertile lands surrounding the Ebira communities provide favorable conditions for agricultural productivity, enabling them to contribute significantly to the food supply in Kogi State. The Ebira people have a long history of engaging in trade and commerce. The art of trading are believed to belong the Ebira women. They are the major participants in the markets. When the household head, the father of the house, comes home with his farm harvest, it is the duty of the wife to take some to the market to sell. It is also customary for the wife or women to go to the market to buy anything the family needs. With their strategic location along important trade routes, they have become key players in the regional trade network. Ebira traders are known for their business acumen and are involved in the exchange of goods such as livestock, agricultural produce, textiles, and traditional crafts. They participate in local markets and travel to neighboring states to establish trade relationships, fostering economic growth within their communities. The Ebira people possess remarkable skills in various artisanal crafts, including, blacksmithing, , carving and. These crafts play a vital role in their economic activities, as they produce aesthetically pleasing and functional items that are in demand both locally and beyond. The artistry and craftsmanship of Ebira artisans have earned them recognition and patronage, boosting the local economy and providing livelihood opportunities.

For the Ebira people in the central senatorial district of Kogi State, Nigeria, there is more than one festival celebrated in December. This festival ushers in the last month of the year, and it is called the Ekuechi festival. And guess what? Without mincing words, 99 of every 100 Ebira women never liked and still do not like this festival from its inception to the present time. Why? Because it is a period where they would be locked inside the house usually between the hours of 7pm to 7am of the following day, and that repeats itself everyday for as long as the festival lasts in the district. Again, the question is why? This is where the myths come in. Popularly believed myth has it that after creating man and woman as husband and wife, one day God sent for the man, but he was too busy to honour the call. In his stead, God opted for the wife. God gave the wife Irakwo (an egg-like object that contains the secrets of life and has the capacity to manifest supernatural powers) for her husband. On discovering the contents and being fascinated by them, she did not give it to the husband, but hid it in her uterus and later swallowed it. Whooow, she thereafter became powerful, performing supernatural feats like turning into any animal and changing back to a human being. She could instantly grow wings to fly around in astral travels, and also capable of all sorts of mysterious transformations. Her husband became envious of her powers, and in sympathy, God enabled the husband to create the Eku masquerade cult from which women membership and participation is greatly discouraged, as a counterforce to the power women possess.

The Ebira (also spelt Igbira or Igbirra) are the outspoken and very hard working agrarian Nupoid-speaking ethno-linguistic group located in the Central Senatorial district of Kogi State (not far from the Niger-Benue confluence) in Nigeria. Recent in depth research indicates that the Ebira have been part and parcel of what is now generally known as Central Nigeria since 4000 BC (Ohiare 1988). The Ebira zone is also prominent in the prehistoric civilization of the Iron Age generally characterised by the Central Nigeria as epitomised by Nok Culture. Even recently the iron-working site of Ife-Ijummu (Kogi State) has been dated to 260 B.C. Thus, it could be deduced that the Ebira as a group existed for a long time in locations within Central Nigeria not far from where they are located presently (Ohiare 1988, Willamson 1967, Beneth 1972). Many Ebira people are from Kogi State, Kwara State, Nasarawa State, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Edo State. Okene is said to be the administrative centre of the Ebira-speaking people in Kogi state. The word “Ebira” refers to the people themselves, their language and their geographical location. Using the name of the most popular town of the land, we may refer to them as Ebira Okene. The Ebira Okene occupy the hilly stretch of land southwest of the Niger-Benue confluence area and share boundaries with the Yoruba-speaking people of Akoko, Owe and Ijumu to the west; the various Akoko-Edo people to the south and south west; the Hausa, Nupe and Ebira groups at Lokoja to the north; and the River Niger to the east. Nigerian Nollywood stars Mercy Johnson and Halima Abubakar are from Ebira tribe. Other Ebira groups are Ebira Igu in Kogi and Koton Karfi local government areas of Kogi state; Ebira Toto and Umaisha ofNassarawa (Toto) local government area of Nassarawa state; Ebira Mozum of Bassa local government area of Kogi state; and Ebira Etuno of Igarra District of Ako-Edo local government area of Edo state. Other Ebira are to be found in Abaji in the Federal Capital Territory and Agatu in Benue state. The Ebira people are republican by nature, outspoken and very hard working. Farming and cloth-weaving are occupations for which the Ebiras are well known. The paramount ruler of the people is called Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. The Ebira cherish their traditional festivals in spite of the infiltration of some negative tendencies.