Ijaw Nation

There's a nation called 'IJAW NATION.' Ijaw people in Nigeria are situated in Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa ibom among other states.

Here, the historian asked his ijaw students to mention the remaining ijaw states.

The historian asked, "do you know that ijaw people have diverse languages. Their language is generally known as 'IZON' but has different tones such as; Bile, Obolo, Wakirike, Kunbou, tuburu, imi, Buseni etc."

As the historian was about to close, one of his students asked the major religion of the IJAWS. "You know, in every tribe there is a dominant religion and we are not exempted. Majority of the Ijaws are Christians, 1.3 % traditionalists and few Muslims." He answered.

He said, "ijaws consist of 52 closely affiliated clans. He asked a student to mention the names of the CLANS, because it was their previous topic. He initially pointed the wrong person who is tagged as 'alias absentee.' Though, his close friend helped him out by narrating the names of the clans in IJAW LAND.

He continued with Bayelsa state.

"Bayelsa as an ijaw state have 25 clans, but 4 clans are affiliated. Rivers also have 10 clans, only one part of the Ijaws in rivers state are affiliating a clan. Delta have 15 clans, but 5 clans are affiliated to other states. The Ijaws in Ondo state have two clans."

The historian called another student to mention the clans Ijaws have in Edo state and the student answered 2 clans but are affiliated with other state. Also, Ijaws in Akwa ibom are sharing 1 clan with other state.

The crux is the lifestyle of the Ijaws. How they used to fish and farm, how they trust themselves and their historical ideologies of war.

The historian said, "Ijaws have powerful kings and stratified society with influential chiefs in their different clans. Their widespread food such as; clam oyster, fish, Periwinkle, ofulo fiya, gbe are like treasure to us."

While in class, the historian bowed his head for few minutes which astonished most of the students. Some thoughts, he was incarnating. He told the students that as a lover of history, he supposed to be reading historical documents, but it's unfortunate that the duel between the ijaws and other tribe ablaze his written documents.

Though, he recaptured some of the memorable events like the monthly awigiri dancing competition, Abou oze fari (beating of drum in the open field), ada (events like wrestling race), zowei zou (paddling), bei (swimming) and among other unforgettable events.

The historian said, "The weekly quiz competition has come for student like Ebi to showcase his intellectual prowess." The students were motivated because outsiders were invited to observe the competition.

The quiz started timely.

The first question was to mention ten known personalities in Ijaw land. Piriye swiftly answered, "Goodluck Jonathan, Kingsley Kuku, Barrister S. Smooth, D.I Kekemeke, J.P Clark, Karina Tunyan, Hon Henry Seriake, Tompolo, Kingsley Otuaro, and Douye Diri.

As the quiz were going on, the scales of the popular song of Chief Echo Oyerigha Toikumoh titled 'Oh my son you should be ready to lay good foundation' were booming and everybody were chorusing it in unison.

"What a display our high life heroe!" The officials exclaimed.

The quiz were intriguing. The organizations in ijaw land was the next question. That was when Ekpo mentioned INC, IYC, IIC, IYM etc.

The historian ended the quiz and informed the students that to read more about Ijaw nation.

© Goto Emmanuel