My Tribe: The Ebira People

Dear all,

As an Ebira person, I have taken a keen interest in learning about the history of my tribe. Having extensively read about our tribe's past, I believe it would be wise to create a set of questions and answers that will help students and children within and outside our country better understand our tribe's history.

I am doing this not for any political or regional gain but simply to educate people and promote the growth of knowledge about our tribe and origin. I strongly believe that by doing this, we will not only preserve our history but also promote a deeper appreciation of our culture and traditions.

I invite everyone to join me in this journey of discovery and enlightenment about our tribe's past. Let's work together to create a better future for ourselves and future generations.

Sincerely,

Gift Otohinoyi Ahmed

Please share and stay informed. Feel free to contact me through my social media handle.

SN	Question	Answer
1	Who are the Ebira people	The Ebira people are an ethnolinguistic group in Nigeria.
2	In which states are many of the Ebira people located	Many of the Ebira people are located in Kogi State, Kwara State, Nasarawa State, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Edo State.
3	What is the administrative center of the Ebira people	Okene is said to be the administrative center of the Ebira people.
4	Where are the Ebira-speaking people in Kogi state located	The Ebira-speaking people in Kogi state are not far from the Niger-Benue confluence.
5	What is the population of the Ebira people	The population of the Ebira people is not readily available, but they are estimated to number in the millions.
6	What is the traditional occupation of the Ebira people	The traditional occupations of the Ebira people is agriculture, hunting, and fishing.
7	What is the religion of the Ebira people	The majority of the Ebira people practice Islam, while others practice Christianity and traditional African religion.
8	What is the language spoken by the Ebira people	The Ebira people speak the Ebira language, which is a part of the Niger-Congo language family.
9	What is the history of the Ebira people	The history of the Ebira people dates back to the pre-colonial era, and they have a rich cultural heritage and traditions.
10	What are some of the cultural practices of the Ebira people	Some of the cultural practices of the Ebira people include the Eche-Ane festival, Ohueta festival, Anekwu festival, and Okunchi festival.
11	What is the traditional dress of the Ebira people	The traditional dress of the Ebira people is brightly colored and includes a wrapper, blouse, and headtie for women, and a long robe and cap for men.
12	What is the traditional food of the Ebira people	The traditional food of the Ebira people includes cassava, yam, plantain, beans, and various soups and stews.
13	What is the education level of the Ebira people	The education level of the Ebira people is gradually increasing, with more children attending school and literacy rates improving.
14	What are some of the challenges faced by the Ebira people	Some of the challenges faced by the Ebira people include poverty, lack of infrastructure, and conflicts over land and resources.
15	What is the role of women in Ebira society	Women play a significant role in Ebira society, including in agriculture, commerce, and community development.
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17	What is the political structure of the Ebira people	The political structure of the Ebira people is largely traditional, with chiefs and village heads playing a significant role in governance.
18	What are some of the traditional crafts of the Ebira people	Some of the traditional crafts of the Ebira people include weaving, pottery, and carving.
19	What is the traditional music of the Ebira people	The traditional music of the Ebira people includes percussion instruments such as the talking drum and the ogene.
20	Who are the Ebiras	The Ebiras are a group of people found in about 8 states of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
21	What are the sister groups of Ebira Tao	The sister groups of Ebira Tao are Ebira Koto and Ebira Mozum (Kogi state), Ebira Panda, Ebira Oje/Toto (Nassarawa state), Ebira Etuno (Edo state), Ebira Agatu (Benue state) and Ebira Oloko (Ondo/Oyo/Osun states).
22	Where do the Ebiras trace their origin to	The Ebiras trace their origin to Wukari (in the present Taraba state).
23	What was the Ebiras' role in the Kwararafa confederation	The Ebiras were an integral part of the Kwararafa confederation.
24	When did the Ebiras migrate out of Wukari	The Ebiras migrated out of Wukari in about 1680 AD.
25	Who did the Ebiras migrate with	The Ebiras migrated with the Idoma and Igala.
26	Why did the Ebiras migrate out of Wukari	The Ebiras migrated out of Wukari over a chieftaincy dispute.
27	How did the Ebiras split into various groups	The Ebiras split into various groups and settled in different locations between 1680 and 1750 AD.
28	When did Ebira Tao settle at Ebira Opete	Ebira Tao settled at Ebira Opete in the vicinity of Upake in Ajaokuta LGA.
29	Where did Ebira Tao sojourn with the Igalas	Ebira Tao sojourned with the Igalas at Idah.
30	What was the name of the place where Ebira Tao settled after leaving Wukari	Ebira Tao settled at Ebira Opete.
31	Who compiled the history of Ebira's origin	The history of Ebira's origin was compiled from Attah Omadivi and other Ebiran Clan Heads by the British colonial administrators in early 20th century.
32	What is the significance of the Agidibo in Ebira culture	The Agidibo is beaten by the elders to salute the spirits in Ebira culture.
33	Where is the largest Ebira group found	The largest Ebira group is found in Ebira Tao.
34	When did the British colonial administrators compile the history of Ebira's origin	The British colonial administrators compiled the history of Ebira's origin in the early 20th century.
35	What is the name of the river that the Ebiras crossed	The Ebiras crossed the River Niger.
36	Who is considered the father of Ebira Tao?	Itaazi is considered the father of Ebira Tao.
37	What did Itaazi do for Ebira Tao?	Itaazi led Ebira Tao to their premier settlement in Ebiraland.
38	How many sons did Itaazi have?	Itaazi had five (5) sons.
39	Which districts in Ebiraland were founded by Itaazi's sons?	Itaazi's sons founded the districts of Adavi, Okehi, Eyika, Okengwe, and Ihima.
40	What was the name of Itaazi's daughter?	Itaazi's daughter was named Ohunene.
41	Where did Ohunene settle?	Ohunene settled in Eganyi district.
42	Who are the descendants of Itaazi's children in Ebiraland?	The members of the various clans in Ebiraland are descendants of Itaazi's children.
43	How many children did Ohizi have?	Ohizi had five children.
44	What are the names of the five traditional Adavi clans named after Ohizi's children?	The five traditional Adavi clans named after Ohizi's children are upopo-uvete (Apasi), Uka, Idu (Aniku), Adeyika, and Uhwami.
45	What migrant group from Eganyi is also found in Adavi?	The migrant group from Eganyi known as Ezi-Onogu clan is also found in Adavi.
46	Who are the sons of Ododo, the ancestors of Okehi clans?	The sons of Ododo, the ancestors of Okehi clans, were Okovi Oviri and Enwgukonyai.
47	How many children did Obaji, the founder of Eyika, have?	Obaji, the founder of Eyika, had ten children.
48	What are the names of Obaji's ten children?	The names of Obaji's ten children are Ohiaga, Iyewe, Avassa, Ehemi, Anchi, Epoto, Egiri, Ubobo, Ogu, and Eyire.
49	How many sons did Uga of Okengwe have?	Uga of Okengwe had two sons.
50	What socio-political coalition did the clans in Okengwe district form?	The clans in Okengwe district formed a socio-political coalition known as Ada-ehi.
51	How many children did Ochuga have?	Ochuga had six children.
52	What are the names of the six clans in Ihima that are descended from Ochuga's children?	The six clans in Ihima that are descended from Ochuga's children are Emani, Oha/Idu, Ohueta, Ure, Ohongwa, and Odumi.
53	What is the name of the seventh clan in Ihima?	The seventh clan in Ihima is Akuta.
54	Where did the Akuta clan migrate from?	The Akuta clan migrated from Okengwe.
55	Was every clan in Eganyi descended from Ohunene?	No, not every clan in Eganyi was descended from Ohunene.
56	What are the names of the clans in Eganyi?	The clans in Eganyi are Ede, Esugu, Eheda, Ogu, Onoko, Idu, Anavapa, and Ogodo.
57	Which ethnic group constitutes the Middle Belt zone of Nigeria	The Ebira people constitute one of the ethnic groups in the Middle Belt zone of Nigeria.
58	When did the Ebira people evolve a centralized form of leadership	The Ebira people did not evolve a centralized form of leadership until the advent of the British colonial authorities.
59	Who brought together the various Ebira clans under one leadership in 1902	The British colonial authorities brought together the various Ebira clans under the leadership of Attah Omadivi in 1902.
60	What event marked the evolution of a monarchical form of administration in Ebiraland	The year 1902 marked the evolution of a monarchical form of administration in Ebiraland.
61	What was the role of the British colonial authorities in the development of central administration in Ebiraland	The British colonial authorities played a significant role in the gradual development of central administration in Ebiraland.
62	How did the British colonial authorities unify the various Ebira clans	The British colonial authorities unified the various Ebira clans under the leadership of Attah Omadivi.
63	Who was Attah Omadivi	Attah Omadivi was the leader who brought together the various Ebira clans under one leadership in 1902.
64	What was the form of leadership in Ebiraland before the arrival of the British colonial authorities	Before the arrival of the British colonial authorities, the Ebira people did not have a centralized form of leadership.
65	When did the British colonial authorities arrive in Nigeria	The British colonial authorities arrived in Nigeria in the 19th century.
66	What was the main aim of the British colonial authorities in Nigeria	The main aim of the British colonial authorities in Nigeria was to establish a colonial rule and exploit the resources of the region.
67	How did the British colonial authorities affect the social and political structure of Nigeria	The British colonial authorities brought significant changes to the social and political structure of Nigeria.
68	What were some of the changes brought about by the British colonial authorities in Nigeria	Some of the changes brought about by the British colonial authorities in Nigeria include the establishment of a centralized administration, the introduction of Western education, and the imposition of Christianity.
69	What was the impact of the British colonial authorities on traditional African cultures	The impact of the British colonial authorities on traditional African cultures was significant, and it resulted in the erosion of traditional values and beliefs.
70	What is the significance of Attah Omadivi in Ebiraland's history	Attah Omadivi is significant in Ebiraland's history because he brought together the various Ebira clans and established a centralized form of administration.
71	What were the benefits of a centralized form of administration in Ebiraland	The benefits of a centralized form of administration in Ebiraland include better governance, improved infrastructure, and enhanced security.
72	How did the Ebira people respond to the imposition of colonial rule	The Ebira people responded to the imposition of colonial rule in different ways, some resisted, while others collaborated with the colonial authorities.
73	What was the impact of colonialism on the economy of Nigeria	The impact of colonialism on the economy of Nigeria was significant, as it led to the exploitation of natural resources and the underdevelopment of local industries.
74	What was the impact of colonialism on the political structure of Nigeria	The impact of colonialism on the political structure of Nigeria was significant, as it led to the creation of artificial boundaries, ethnic tensions, and the establishment of a centralized administration.
75	Where is Ebiraland located	Ebiraland is located in the central senatorial District of Kogi state in Nigeria, approximately 23 kilometers west of the Niger at Ajaokuta and 32 kilometers southwest of the Niger-Benue confluence.
76	What is the landmass of Ebiraland	The landmass of Ebiraland is 3,426 km2.
77	What is the highest point in Ebiraland	The range of hills in Ebiraland occasionally rises to 667 meters above sea level.
78	What is the name of the ethnic group that constitutes Ebiraland	The ethnic group that constitutes Ebiraland is called the Ebira.
79	When was the 1991 national census conducted in Ebiraland	The 1991 national census was conducted in Ebiraland in 1991.
80	What was the population of Ebiraland according to the 1991 national census	The population of Ebiraland according to the 1991 national census was 722,032.
81	When was another national headcount undertaken in Ebiraland	Another national headcount was undertaken in Ebiraland in 2006.
82	What is the provisional figure of the population of Ebiraland released by the National Population Commission (NPC)	The provisional figure of the population of Ebiraland released by the National Population Commission (NPC) is 884,396.
83	Is the provisional figure of the population of Ebiraland being disputed	Yes, the provisional figure of the population of Ebiraland released by the National Population Commission (NPC) is being disputed.
84	How is the population of Ebiraland distributed among the LGAs	The population of Ebiraland is distributed among the LGAs as follows
85	How have the communities in Ebiraland evolved over time	The communities in Ebiraland started as tiny villages and have gradually and progressively expanded towards one another, joining together as near towns, with Okene as a city in modern times.
86	What does Ebiraland present as an aerial view	Ebiraland presents an aerial view of one huge near urban settlement with intervening barriers.
87	What is the significance of the location of Ebiraland	The location of Ebiraland is significant as it is situated in a strategic position for trade and commerce due to its proximity to the Niger and Niger-Benue confluence.
88	What is the climate like in Ebiraland	The climate in Ebiraland is tropical, with two distinct seasons – the rainy season and the dry season.
89	What are the major economic activities in Ebiraland	The major economic activities in Ebiraland include agriculture, trade, and commerce.
90	What crops are commonly grown in Ebiraland	The crops commonly grown in Ebiraland include yam, cassava, maize, rice, and beans.
91	What are some of the major landmarks in Ebiraland	Some of the major landmarks in Ebiraland include the Okene Central Mosque, the Palace of the Attah of Ebira, the Adavi-Eba Hill, and the Ohueta Hills.
92	What is the traditional religion of the Ebira people	The traditional religion of the Ebira people is centered around the worship of various deities and spirits.
93	What is the nature of the Ebira people?	The Ebira people are republican by nature, outspoken and very hardworking.
94	What are the main occupations of the Ebira people?	Farming and cloth-weaving are occupations for which Ebiras are well known.
95	In which Local Government Areas of Kogi state are the Ebira people presently spread?	The Ebira people are presently spread in five Local Government Areas of Kogi state namely: Adavi, Okene, Okehi, Ajaokuta and Ogori-magongo.
96	In which states other than Kogi state are a sizeable number of Ebira people found?	A sizeable number of Ebira people are found in Lokoja Local Government Area, Ondo, Ogun, and Oyo states.
97	What is the name of the paramount ruler of the Ebira people?	The paramount ruler of the Ebira people is called Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
98	How was the Pre-Colonial Ebira community organized?	The Pre-Colonial Ebira community was essentially segmentary, consisting of five principal clans among several others, namely, Okengwe, Eika, Okehi, Adavi, and Ihima.
99	What were the respective priests (heads) of the five principal clans in Pre-Colonial Ebira community called?	The respective priests (heads) of the five principal clans in Pre-Colonial Ebira community were known as Ohindase, Adeika, Ohiomahi, Asema and Obonbanyi.
100	How were clan heads selected in Pre-Colonial Ebira community?	The post of the clan head was normally conferred on the oldest living male member of the clan.
101	What were the religious duties and disciplinary powers of clan heads in Pre-Colonial Ebira community?	The religious duties and disciplinary powers of clan heads in Pre-Colonial Ebira community were limited to his own family.
102	What was the main unit of political organization in Pre-Colonial Ebira community?	The clan was the main unit of political organization in Pre-Colonial Ebira community.
103	What was the political influence of clan heads in Pre-Colonial Ebira community?	The political influence of clan heads in Pre-Colonial Ebira community was quite small.
104	Who determined the judgement of clan heads in Pre-Colonial Ebira community?	The judgement of clan heads in Pre-Colonial Ebira community was determined largely by the consensus of opinion of the elders.
105	Who was responsible for the administration of all the clan heads constituting a community in Ebiraland in Pre-Colonial times?	The administration of all the clan heads constituting a community in Ebiraland in Pre-Colonial times lay in the hands of the elders, influential individuals, and the chief priest (Ohinoyi).
106	What is the economic role of the clan head in Ebiraland?	The clan head held in trust for the clan, part of the income from all the clan lands, such as the produce from palm oil and locust bean trees, during the pre-colonial period.
107	What other economic benefits did the clan head receive during the pre-colonial period?	The leg of whatever game that was killed was given to him, which he shared with the kindred heads.
108	What traditional occupations are Ebiras well known for?	Farming and cloth-weaving.
109	When was an outstation established at Kabba?	In 1895, an outstation was placed at Kabba by the Royal Niger Company.
110	Who built a fort in Kabba?	Captain Turner, an officer attached to the Niger Constabulary, built a fort in Kabba.
111	Who took over the government of Northern Nigeria from the Royal Niger Company?	Frederick Lugard took over the government of Northern Nigeria from the Royal Niger Company on 1st January 1900.
112	Where was the British flag hoisted by Lugard?	The British flag was hoisted at Lokoja by Lugard.
113	Which countries were included in the province formed by Kabba?	Akoko, Kukuruku and Ebira countries were included in the province formed by Kabba.
114	Who was the first Resident of the protectorate of Northern Nigeria?	Sir William Wallace was the first Resident of the protectorate of Northern Nigeria.
115	Who led a small military escort sent into Ebira country in 1902?	Mr. Malcom and Lt. F.F.W. Byng-Hall led a small military escort sent into Ebira country in 1902.
116	How did the Ebira people respond to the demand for the supply of food by the British?	The Ebira people refused to meet with the British demand for the supply of food, seeing this as a direct insult on their persons.
117	What happened to Mr. Malcom and his party when they were outnumbered by the Ebira?	Mr. Malcom and his party, outnumbered, were attacked with arrows by the Ebira and escaped by a night march to Kabba, arriving the next day.
118	What did the British soldiers do in response to the attack on Mr. Malcom and his party?	The British soldiers used the attack on Mr. Malcom and his party as casus belli and marched on the Ebira people with fire arms.
119	What was the result of the British expedition in Ebiraland?	The Ebira people were subjugated and pacified. The resident in Ebiraland described the result of the expedition as follows: “The Ebira were no doubt severely punished during the expedition and I now find them very afraid of the whiteman”.
120	Who led an armed resistance against British rule in Ebiraland?	Agidi, one of the notable personalities among the Ebira, led an armed resistance against British rule in Ebiraland.
121	When did Agidi and his men attack the small British group led by Mr. Malcom?	In 1902, Agidi and his men attacked the small British group led by Mr. Malcom.
122	What was the response of the British to Agidi's attack?	Ebiraland was declared a land of ‘savages’ and Mr. Malcom ordered a detachment of the West African Frontier Force (WAFF) to sit among the Ebira people in order to ‘tame’ them.
123	Who led the punitive expedition in Ebiraland in 1903?	Major Marsh, Lieutenants Sparrenbarg, Moran, Byng-Hall, Gallway, Smith, Oldman and Captain Lewis led the punitive expedition in Ebiraland in 1903.
124	What was the objective of the punitive expedition in Ebiraland?	The objective of the punitive expedition in Ebiraland was to call Agidi to order and to establish permanent peace in Ebiraland.
125	What are the three major cultural festivals celebrated in Ebiraland	The three major cultural festivals celebrated in Ebiraland are Eche-Ane, Eche Ori, and Ekuechi.
126	What is Eche-Ane and when is it celebrated	Eche-Ane is an annual masquerade festival celebrated in rotation from one district to the other in Ebiraland between April and June.
127	What was the significance of Eche-Ane in the past	In the past, Eche-Ane was the only period during which betrothed girls were given away in marriage to their suitors.
128	What is the current state of Eche-Ane	Eche-Ane has been bastardized and has become a source of constant breach of peace.
129	What message does the text convey to the youth	The text conveys a message to the youth that a people without a culture is like a people without history, and traditional festivities should be handled with humility and modernity to become a world-class tourism that can improve the economy, employment, and influence of Ebiraland.
130	What is Eche Ori and where is it celebrated	Eche Ori is a new yam festival celebrated only in two districts of Ebiraland, namely Ihima and Eganyi.
131	What happens during the Eche Ori festival	During the Eche Ori festival, traditional worshippers make sacrifices in the secret groove of 'Ori' (deity) high up in the mountain to show gratitude for its protection and provision of bounteous harvest. The worshippers also whip one another in turns with long canes without exhibiting any sign of pain.
132	What is the taboo associated with Eche Ori	It is a taboo to eat or sell new yams in Ihima and Eganyi before the Eche Ori festival.
133	What is Ekuechi and what is its significance	Ekuechi is a night masquerade festival that marks the end of the Ebira calendar year and the beginning of a new one. All dead relatives are believed to return to earth on a visit this night.
134	Who is the initiator of the Ekuechi festival	Ododo is popularly acclaimed to be the initiator of the Ekuechi masquerade festival.
135	What is the role of the Akatapa masquerade in the Ekuechi festival	The Akatapa masquerade heralds the beginning of the Ekuechi festival.
136	Who is restricted from participating in the Ekuechi festival	The Ekuechi festival is restricted to men and few special women called onoku.
137	What do women do during the Ekuechi festival	During the Ekuechi festival, women prepare delicious 'Apapa' (bean bread) and he-goat meat for the visiting dead relatives. They also leave monetary gifts with the men for the visiting dead relatives.
138	Where are the Ebira people found	The Ebira people are mostly found along the River Benue plain down and beyond the River Niger, in Kogi state, and in some parts of Nassarawa, Plateau, and Edo states.
139	What does the word Ebira mean	The word Ebira means good behavior when translated literally with ethics and hospitality as compliments.
140	What is the traditional process of marriage in Ebira land	The traditional process of marriage in Ebira land involves the man expressing his intentions to the woman and her parents, and the parents conducting a thorough investigation on the man's family
141	The Ebira people are an ethno-linguistic group located in the Central Senatorial district of Kogi State, Nigeria. They are Nupoid-speaking and known for being outspoken and hardworking.	The Ebira people are an ethno-linguistic group located in the Central Senatorial district of Kogi State, Nigeria. They are Nupoid-speaking and known for being outspoken and hardworking.
142	What is the historical significance of the Ebira people?	What is the historical significance of the Ebira people
143	Recent research shows that the Ebira people have been part of Central Nigeria since 4000 BC. They have existed for a long time in locations within Central Nigeria, not far from where they are located presently.	Recent research shows that the Ebira people have been part of Central Nigeria since 4000 BC. They have existed for a long time in locations within Central Nigeria, not far from where they are located presently.
144	Where are the Ebira people located?	Where are the Ebira people located
145	The Ebira people are located in the Central Senatorial district of Kogi State, Nigeria, not far from the Niger-Benue confluence.	The Ebira people are located in the Central Senatorial district of Kogi State, Nigeria, not far from the Niger-Benue confluence.
146	What are some states where Ebira people are from?	What are some states where Ebira people are from
147	Many Ebira people are from Kogi State, Kwara State, Nasarawa State, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Edo State.	Many Ebira people are from Kogi State, Kwara State, Nasarawa State, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Edo State.
148	What are some Ebira groups and where are they located?	What are some Ebira groups and where are they located
149	Some Ebira groups include Ebira Igu in Kogi and Koton Karfi local government areas of Kogi State; Ebira Toto and Umaisha of Nassarawa (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.	Some Ebira groups include Ebira Igu in Kogi and Koton Karfi local government areas of Kogi State; Ebira Toto and Umaisha of Nassarawa (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.
150	What is the physical environment of Ebiraland like?	What is the physical environment of Ebiraland like
151	Ebiraland is characterized by blocks of dissected hills and metaphoric rocks. The hills rise to a peak of 2000 ft, and the undulating plains are studded with smooth rounded rocks of in selbergs. The laterite soils are derived from metaphoric rocks of greyish-buff and clayed pan, which overlay vascular iron stone. The soil depth is variable, ranging from two to three feet to about three inches where the ironstone approaches the surface.	Ebiraland is characterized by blocks of dissected hills and metaphoric rocks. The hills rise to a peak of 2000 ft, and the undulating plains are studded with smooth rounded rocks of in selbergs. The laterite soils are derived from metaphoric rocks of greyish-buff and clayed pan, which overlay vascular iron stone. The soil depth is variable, ranging from two to three feet to about three inches where the ironstone approaches the surface.
152	What are some implications of the physical environment of Ebiraland?	What are some implications of the physical environment of Ebiraland
153	The nature of the topography has affected the relief pattern of Ebiraland, which is marked out of dissected peaks with knife-edged ridges and steep V-shaped valleys. The features have influenced the pattern of the people’s technical know-how as it relates to the production of crafts like pottery, dyeing, and blacksmithing. In contemporary times, these features serve as a reservoir of the iron-ore deposit.	The nature of the topography has affected the relief pattern of Ebiraland, which is marked out of dissected peaks with knife-edged ridges and steep V-shaped valleys. The features have influenced the pattern of the people’s technical know-how as it relates to the production of crafts like pottery, dyeing, and blacksmithing. In contemporary times, these features serve as a reservoir of the iron-ore deposit.
154	What are some traditional occupations of the Ebira people?	What are some traditional occupations of the Ebira people
155	Farming and cloth-weaving are occupations for which the Ebiras are well known.	Farming and cloth-weaving are occupations for which the Ebiras are well known.
156	Who is the paramount ruler of the Ebira people?	Who is the paramount ruler of the Ebira people
157	The paramount ruler of the Ebira people is called Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.	The paramount ruler of the Ebira people is called Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
158	Who are some famous Nigerian Nollywood stars from the Ebira tribe?	Who are some famous Nigerian Nollywood stars from the Ebira tribe
159	Mercy Johnson and Halima Abubakar are from the Ebira tribe.	Mercy Johnson and Halima Abubakar are from the Ebira tribe.
160	What does Ebira mean when translated literally	Ebira means behavior when translated literally with ethics and hospitality as compliments.
161	What are the unique features of Ebira culture	The unique features of Ebira culture are its ethnic aestheticism which are appreciated most in the event of traditional marriages.
162	What is the nature of Ebira people	Ebira people are republican by nature, outspoken and very hard working.
163	What are the occupations for which the Ebiras are well known	Farming and cloth-weaving are the occupations for which the Ebiras are well known.
164	What are the primary crops grown for export in Ebira land	The primary crops grown for export in Ebira land are yam and cassava.
165	What is the important local commodity used in most meals and in brewing beer in Ebira land	Guinea corn is the important local commodity used in most meals and in brewing beer in Ebira land.
166	What is the state of fishing in Ebira land	Fishing is conducted by individual households due to the abundance of rivers and streams on the Niger-Benue plateau. In recent years, larger fish farms have been developed by private and public firms.
167	In which Local Government Areas of Kogi state are the larger fish farms spread	The larger fish farms are spread in five Local Government Areas of Kogi state namely
168	Where else is a sizeable number of fish farms found apart from Kogi state	A sizeable number of fish farms is also found in Lokoja Local Government Area and Oyo state.
169	Who is the paramount ruler of the Ebira people	The paramount ruler of the Ebira people is called Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
170	What do the Ebira cherish	The Ebira cherish their traditional festivals.
171	How many annual cultural festivals do the Ebira have	The Ebira have several annual cultural festivals.
172	What are the most prominent cultural festivals of the Ebira people	The most prominent cultural festivals of the Ebira people are ‘Echane’, ‘Eche Ori’ and ‘Ekuechi’.
173	How do the Ebira treat their dead	The Ebira pay homage and respect to the dead.
174	What is the relationship between the ritual practices of the Ebira and Jukun	Many of the ritual practices associated with the Ebira are directly related to those of the Jukun, their distant ancestors.
175	Who usually holds political power in Ebira land	Political power often rests in the hands of the patriclan in Ebira land.
176	Who usually holds religious power in Ebira land	Religious power usually is in the hands of the matriclan in Ebira land.
177	What does the arrangement of power between kin in Ebira land allow	The arrangement of power between kin in Ebira land allows for a balance of power between kin and also allows the kinship relationships to be extended.
178	What are the occupations of Ebira people	The occupations of Ebira people are farming and cloth weaving.
179	What are the crops grown for export by the Ebira people	The crops grown for export by the Ebira people are yam and cassava.
180	What is the staple food of the Ebira people	The staple food of the Ebira people is guinea corn.
181	What is Ebira	Ebira is an ethno-linguistic group in Nigeria.
182	How is Ebira spelled	Ebira is also spelled Igbira or Igbirra.
183	Where are the majority of Anebira from	The majority of Anebira are from Kogi State in Nigeria.
184	In which other Nigerian states can Ebira be found	Ebira can be found in Edo State (Ebira-Etuno), Abaji (Ebira-Koto), and Nasarawa State (Ebira-Toto).
185	Who are the scions of the Igala	The Ebira are the scions of the Igala.
186	Where do the Ebira dwell in Nigeria	The Ebira dwell in Nigeria's Middle Belt region.
187	With which neighboring groups is Ebira history tied	Ebira history is tied to that of their neighbors, the Jukun and the Igala.
188	Where did the Ebira originally come from	According to oral history, the Ebira originally came from the east and entered Nigeria between the Mandarra highlands and Lake Chad sometime during the last millennium.
189	Which group broke away from which in the Ebira and Igala history	It is believed that Igala broke away from Jukun, and Ebira broke away from Igala.
190	Who established the first Ebira chiefdom at Panda	Ohimnagedu established the first Ebira chiefdom at Panda.
191	Who gave Ohimnagedu the royal staff	Atah of Idah, the Igala leader at the time, gave Ohimnagedu the royal staff.
192	Which neighboring group did Ebira maintain ritual connections with	According to the text, Ebira maintained ritual connections with the Jukun.
193	How many smaller groups does Ebira consist of	Ebira consists of two smaller groups: the Northern and the Southern groups.
194	When did the Southern group claim to have broken away from the main group	The Southern group claims to have broken away from the main group around 1850 during the time of the Fulani-led holy wars.
195	How was the governing system of the Northern Ebira	The Northern Ebira traditionally had a highly centralized government that recognized a chief who inherited his power in a patrilineal fashion.
196	Where did the supreme Ebira chief reside	The supreme Ebira chief resided at Panda.
197	How was the governing system of the Southern Ebira	The Southern Ebira group was somewhat less centralized than their northern counterpart. Their governing system acknowledges local leaders for each of five founding families, but does not recognize a supreme chief.
198	Where is Ebiraland located	Ebiraland, the home of Ebira Tao, is located in the central senatorial District of Kogi state.
199	What is the landmass of Ebiraland	The landmass of Ebiraland is 3,426 km2.
200	What was the population of Ebiraland in the 1991 national census	The population of Ebiraland in the 1991 national census was 722,032.
201	Who will find the Ebira language a valuable language to study	Students interested in African Art, African history, anthropology, archaeology, international relations, NGO work, and government work will find the Ebira language a valuable language to study.
202	What is the general greeting in Ebira	The general greeting in Ebira is "Wadahi."
203	Who are the Ebira people	The Ebira people are an ethnic group in Nigeria.
204	Why are they called the Ebira people	They are called the Ebira people because of existing reference to history.
205	What are the two sources of information about the history of the Ebira people	The two sources are oral tradition and written records.
206	Where can the ancestry of the Ebira people be traced to according to oral tradition	According to oral tradition, the ancestry of the Ebira people can be traced to Wukari (present Taraba State).
207	Why did the Ebira people migrate out of Wukari according to oral tradition	They migrated out of Wukari due to chieftaincy tussle.
208	When did the Ebira people migrate out of Wukari according to oral tradition	They migrated out of Wukari along with Idoma and Igala in about 1680 AD.
209	Where did the Ebira people settle after leaving Wukari according to oral tradition	They later split into various groups and settled in different locations between 1680 and 1750 AD.
210	Who was the father of the Ebira Tao, and where did they settle	The father of the Ebira Tao is Itaazi, and they settled in Ebira Opete located around Upake, Ajaokuta.
211	Who are the children of Itaazi and the districts they founded in Ebiraland	The children of Itaazi are Adaviruku/Ohizi (Adavi), Ododo (Okehi), Obaji (Eyika), Uga (Okengwe) and Ochuga/Onotu (Ihima).
212	Who founded the Eganyi district, and what is her name	Itaazi's daughter who was named Ohunene settled in the Eganyi district.
213	What are the five traditional Adavi clans named after the five children of Ohizi	The five traditional Adavi clans are Upopo-uvete (Apasi), Uka, Idu (Aniku), Adeyika and Uhami.
214	What is the name of the migrant group from Eganyi found in Adavi	The migrant group from Eganyi known as Ezi-Onogu clan is also found in Adavi.
215	Who are the ancestors of Okehi clans, and how many children did they have	The ancestors of Okehi clans were Okohi Oviri and Enwgukonyai, and they had two children.
216	Who founded Eika, and how many children did he have	Obaji founded Eika and had ten children named Ohiaga, Iyewe, Avassa, Ehemi, Anchi, Epoto, Egiri, Ubobo, Ogu and Eyire.
217	Who are the present Okovi and Agada group of clans, and who founded them	The present Okovi and Agada group of clans are the children of the two sons of Uga who founded them.
218	What is Ada-ehi, and how did it come about	Ada-ehi is a socio-political coalition formed by a sizeable concentration of other Ebira clans in Okengwe district.
219	What is the largest group of the Ebira people, and where are they located	The largest group of the Ebira people is the Ebira Tao of Kogi state, located at the central senatorial district of Kogi State.
220	What is the Ekuechi festival	The Ekuechi festival is a traditional celebration that takes place every year in Ebira villages.
221	When does the Ekuechi festival take place	The Ekuechi festival takes place from late November through the end of December or early January.
222	What is the significance of the Ekuechi festival in Ebira villages	The Ekuechi festival is the most well-known traditional celebration in Ebira villages and it represents the ancestors’ spirits coming back to the planet.
223	Why does the Ekuechi festival last for a long time	The Ekuechi festival lasts for a long time because separate clans select their own dates to mark the celebration.
224	What does "Eku" and "Chi" mean in Ebira culture	In Ebira culture, “Eku” stands for an ancestor’s disguise, while “Chi” denotes descent.
225	How do the Ebira people revere the land of the dead	The Ebira people revere the land of the dead by believing that individuals from the land of the living are watched over by departed loved ones in the afterlife.
226	What is the meaning of ekuechi in Ebira culture	In Ebira culture, ekuechi might be understood as the ancestors’ spirits coming back to the planet.
227	What do the masqueraders represent in the Ekuechi festival	The masqueraders in the Ekuechi festival are said to have access to the afterlife, where departed loved ones watch over the actions of the living.
228	What is the role of the masqueraders during the festival	The masqueraders in the Ekuechi festival convey encouragement and warnings from the spirit realm throughout the celebration.
229	How do the masqueraders communicate with the spirit realm during the festival	It is believed that the masqueraders in the Ekuechi festival have access to the afterlife, where departed loved ones watch over the actions of the living.
230	What messages do the masqueraders convey during the festival	The masqueraders in the Ekuechi festival convey encouragement and warnings from the spirit realm throughout the celebration.
231	What is the significance of the Ekuechi festival for the Ebira people	The Ekuechi festival is significant for the Ebira people as it represents the ancestors’ spirits coming back to the planet, and it also marks the conclusion of one year and the start of another.
232	What is Eku’rahu’s masked performance in the festival	Eku’rahu’s masked performance in the Ekuechi festival focuses on singing, drumming, and chanting, and it is one of the festival’s main spectacles.
233	What other traditional celebrations do the Ebira people have	The Ebira people have other traditional celebrations such as the Ogani festival, Iresu festival, and Ozuri festival.
234	What is the history of the Ekuechi festival	The history of the Ekuechi festival dates back to the pre-colonial era when the Ebira people used it to commemorate their ancestors.
235	How has the Ekuechi festival evolved over time	The Ekuechi festival has evolved over time with the incorporation of new cultural practices and the influence of Christianity.
236	What is the dress code for the Ekuechi festival	The dress code for the Ekuechi festival includes traditional attire such as the agbada for men and the iro and buba for women.
237	What is the traditional food for the Ekuechi festival	The traditional food for the Ekuechi festival includes local dishes such as pounded yam, eba, and soup.
238	Who was the first Ata of Igala, and who succeeded her	The first Ata of Igala was Ebulejonu, a woman. She was succeeded by her brother Aganapoje, who was the father of Idoko.
239	Who succeeded Aganapoje as Ata of Igala, and what were the names of his two children	Idoko succeeded Aganapoje as Ata of Igala. He had two children named Atiyele and Ayegba om'Idoko.
240	What did Atiyele, the first son of Idoko, do after he migrated eastward from the kingdom	Atiyele migrated eastward of the kingdom to establish Ankpa kingdom (ÈJÈ of Ankpa).
241	Who succeeded Idoko as Ata'IGala of Idah	Ayegba, the second son of Idoko, succeeded his father as Ata'IGala of Idah.
242	What did Ayegba do during his reign as Ata'IGala of Idah	Ayegba led a war against the Jukun, which resulted in victory.
243	Where did the Ebira come from, and what were their major occupations	The Ebira came from the Jukun Kingdom. Their major occupations were as warriors, hunters, iron benders, and farmers.
244	Why did the Atta of Igala invite the Ebira to Idah, and when did they come	The Atta of Igala invited the Ebira to Idah because of constant invasions by the Benin Kings, the Igbos, and other kingdoms around. The Ebira came around 1248-1272 AD.
245	What effect did the migration of the Ebira have on the rise of the Igala Kingdom	The migration of the Ebira disrupted and contributed to the shift of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade from the Bight of Benin to the Bight of Biafra, and it also contributed to the decline of the Benin Empire between the fifteenth centuries. The rise of the Igala Kingdom became a mega state.
246	What was the Idah-Benin war, and why was it fought	The Idah-Benin war (1515-1516) was a war of mutual independence because Igala was not alone in the battle field this time.
247	What led to a land dispute between the Atta of Igala and the Ebira, and what was the outcome	The non-fulfillment of promised by Atta Igala to the Ebira group led to a land dispute between the two groups in Idah. This led to a parting of ways, and the Ebiras moved southwest.
248	When did the Ebira leave Idah, and where did they stop before they separated into various clans	The Ebira left Idah after the Idah-Benin War around 1519-1521, and they stopped at Itobe before they separated into various clans.
249	Which clans make up the Ebira Tao, and who were their progenitors	All members of the various clans in Ebira Tao are descendants of the children of ITAAZI. ITAAZI had five (5) sons named Adaviruku/Ohizi, Ododo, Obaji, Uga, Ochuga/Onotu. Ohizi (Adaviruku) had five children who are progenitors of the five traditional Adavi clans named after them.
250	What is the association between most Ebira Tao clans and the era of hunting	Most Ebira Tao clans are associated with great animals they killed during the era of hunting.

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My Tribe: The Ebira People

Significant and insightful inquiries about the Ebira People

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