IJAWS: A STUDY ON THEIR HISTORY, CULTURE, LANGUAGE, MARRIAGE AND THEIR BELIEFS.

For a better understanding of a group of people, society or community, it is best to understand their history. Aristotle said, "A prerequisite to understanding anything is an understanding of it's beginning and development stage by stage. So in this light, for a better understanding and cognizance of the Ijaws(Ijos) and their culture, it is best to fully understand their history.

Ijaw people (also known by the subgroups "Ijo" or "Izon") are people in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, inhabiting regions of the states of Ondo, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, and Rivers State. Many of them are also found as migrant fishermen in neighbouring countries as far West Sierra Leone and far East Gabon, amongst others. Ijaws vary greatly, and according to population figures they range from 13 million to 15 million. They have long lived in locations near many sea trade routes, and they were well connected to other areas by trade as early as 15th century.

Historically, it is believed that they were the first to find a settlement in the Lower Niger and Niger Delta, and it is possible that they may have started inhabiting this region as far back as 500 B.C. It is said that wherever there is a river an Ijaw born is not far off. Although this is not always the case yet those words hold great significance. It is almost impossible to give a precise account as to whence the Ijaws originated. Divergent accounts have been given by different historians, but what is certain is that the Ijaws are one of the world's most ancient people.

History believes that the Ijaws are descendants of the autochthonous people or ancient tribe of Africa known as the (H) ORU, the Ijaws were originally known by this name (ORU). This was what their neighbors deemed them. The Ijaws however, kept the ancient language and culture of the ORUs.

Language and cultural studies proves that they are related to the founders of the Great Nile Valley Civilization Complex(and possibly the Lake Chad Complex). They immigrated to West Africa from the Nile-Valley during antiquity.

LANGUAGE

The Ijaws speak nine closely related Niger-Congo Languages, all which belong to the Ijoid branch of the Niger-Congo tree. The primary division between the Ijo languages is that between Eastern Ijo and Western Ijo, the most important of the former group of languages being Izon, which is spoken by about five million people. The Ijaws language consist of two prominent groupings:

The first, which is termed as either Western or Central Izon(Ijaw) consist of Western Ijaw speakers: Ekeremor, Sagbama(Mein), Bassan, Apoi, Arogbo, Boma(Bumo), Kabo(Kabuowei), Ogboin, Tarakiri, and Kolokuma-Opokuma(Yenagoa). Nembe, Brass, and Akassa(Akaba) dialects represent southeast Ijo(Izon). Buseni and Okordia dialects are considered Inland Ijo.

On the other hand, the second major Ijaw linguistic group is Kalabari. Although the term Eastern Ijaw is not the right term, that is what Kalabari is considered as. Kalabari is the name of one of the Ijaw clans that reside on the Eastern side of the Niger Delta(Abonnema, Buguma, Bakana, Degema etc) who form a major group in Rivers State.

Other "Eastern Ijaw" clans are the Okrika, Ibani(the natives of Bonny, Finima, and Opobo) and Nkoroo. They are neighbors to the Kalabari people in present-day Rivers State, Nigeria.

MARRIAGE

The  Ijaws have two forms of marriage. The first which is a small-dowry marriage. The groom is traditionally obliged to offer a payment of the wife's family, which is typically cash. This type of marriage the children trace  their line of inheritance through their  mother to her family: Meaning that when the children grow up, they have more choices as to live with their father's people or mother's people.

In contrast to the first type, the second type of marriage is a large-dowry marriage. And here the children belong to the father's family.

BELIEF

The Ijo people are rich in distinct and many beliefs. With the coming of Western Civilization, the present day Ijaw seems to have changed from traditional worshippers to Christianity. According to reports, 98 percent of the over 14 million population of the Ijaws are Christians. And that about 65 percent of the 98 percent are predominantly Roman Catholics.

However, there are some among them who still have faith in their traditional religious practices, as reports have that 0.8% of the population of the Ijaws still practice their traditional beliefs. In the traditional religion of the Ijaws, veneration of ancestors plays a central. While water spirits, known as Owuamapu, figure prominently in the Ijaw pantheon. In addition, the Ijaw practice a form of divination called Igbadai, in which recently deceased individuals are interrogated on the causes of their deaths..

They also believe that water spirits are like humans in having personal strengths and shortcomings and that humans dwell among the water spirits before being born. Traditionally, the Ijaws hold celebrations to honour the spirits, lasting for several days. And the highlight of the festival is the role of masquerade. 

Here, men wearing elaborate outfits and carved masks dance to the beat of drums and manifest the influence of the water spirits through the quality and intensity of their dancing.

The Ijaws are one of the few people in the world known to practice ritual acculturation. In this practice, it is possible for an individual who hails from an entirely different tribe or group, to become an Ijaw after undergoing some certain rites. It is believed that King Jaja of Opobo, the Igbo slave who rose to become a powerful Ibani(Bonny) chief in the 19th century, is an example.

FOOD CUSTOM

Like many ethnic groups in Nigeria, the Ijaws have many local foods that are not widespread in Nigeria. Many of these foods involve fish and other seafoods such as Clams, Oysters and Periwinkles; Yams and Plantains. Some of these foods are:

* POLOFIYAI - A very rich soup made with Yams and palm oil.

 * KEKEFIYAI A portage made with chopped unripened (green) plantains, fish, other seafoods or game meat("bushmeat") and palm oil.

* GBE - The grub of the raffia-palm tree beetle that is eaten raw, dried and  fried in groundnut oil or picked in palm oil.

* KALABARI "SEA-HARVEST" FULO - A rich mixed seafood soup or stew that is eaten with FOOFOO, rice or yams.

* IGNABENI - A watery soup prepared with either yam or plantain seasoned with teabush leaves, pepper, goat meat and fish.

NOTABLE IJAW PEOPLE

As rich as the culture of the Ijaw is so do they have notable personality who originate from this Ijaw area. Some of these notable Ijaw icons are :

* GOOD LUCK JONATHAN, Politician and former president.

* J.P CLARK, Poet and playwright.

* OWOYE ANDREW AZAZI, former Army general and national security adviser.

* TIMI DAKOLO, Nigerian singer and songwriter.

* IBINABO FIBERESIMA, Nigerian Nollywood actress.

* DAVID IBIYEOMIE, Nigerian pastor and televangelist.

* JULIUS AREBO, Nigerian web developer.

* BEN MURRAY-BRUCE, Nigerian media mogul and senator.

* FINIDI GEORGE, Nigerian football legend.

* SAMSON SIASIA, Former Nigerian footballer and coach.

* TIMAYA, Nigerian singer.

* TOM, TONPRIBO INKO-TARIAH, Real Estate developer, chartered Abritrator.

* BENAOYAGHA OKOYEN, The current consul General of Nigeria in New York.

Perusing through the culture, beliefs and tradition of the Ijaws, we cN find out that the Ijaws are a blessed race with great customs, history and children. The name Ijaw to put into cognizance is the anglicized version of the Ijo or Ejo, a variation of Ujo or Ojo, the ancestor who gave the Ijo people their name.