EDO PEOPLE

The Edo or Benin people are an Edoid ethnic group primarily found in Edo State, Southern part of Nigeria. They speak the Edo language and are the descendants of the founders of the Benin Empire. They are closely related to other ethnic groups that speak Edoid languages, such as the Esan, the Afemai, the Isoko,and the Urhobo.

The name “Benin” (and “Bini”) is a Portuguese corruption, ultimately from the word “Ubini”, which came into use during the reign of Oba (ruler) Ewuare the Great, c. 1440. “Ubini”, an ancient Edo word meaning beautiful people, was used to describe the royal administrative centre or city or capital proper of the kingdom, Edo. Ubini was later corrupted to Bini by the mixed ethnicities living together at the centre; and further corrupted to Benin around 1485 when the Portuguese began trade relations with Oba Ewuare.

Benin city, the present capital city of Edo State has a high presence of residents from across the country and the world because of its cosmopolitan tendencies. Benin City has a history of being one of the foremost destinations of Europeans during their exploration of Africa continent many centuries ago. Some of these flash points have remained enviable tourists’ attraction for the state.

Demographics

The main ethnic groups in Edo State are Binis, Etsako, Esans, Owans and Akoko Edos. Virtually all the groups traced their origin to Benin City hence the dialects of the groups vary with their distance from Benin City. The Bini speaking people who occupy seven out of the 18 Local Government Areas of the state constitute 57.54%; while others are as follow: Esan (17.14%), Etsako (12.19%), Owan (7.43%), and Akoko Edo (5.70%). However, the Igbira speaking communities exist in Akoko Edo, Itsekiri communities in Ikpoba-Okha, as well as Ijaw Izons, Urhobos in Ovia North East and South West Local Government Areas especially in the borderlands. Also, Igbo speaking communities exist in Igbanke(Ika) in Orhionmwon LGA.

The Igue Festival

Among the Benin people of Edu State, the Igue festival is considered to be one of the most important and popular festival which is celebrated in the Benin kingdom. During the Igue festival, there are 10 specific prayers that are said by the Edo people, and these prayers are said for 10 different blessings.

The prayers are as follows:

1.) The Afiangbe prayer: In this prayer, the people thank the gods for their blessings and prosperity, and also pray for more blessings from the gods.

2.) The Akugbe prayer: In this prayer, the people pray for love, unity and understanding among all the Benin people, and also among the members of their families.

3.) The Alaghodaro prayer: In this prayer, the Edo people intercede for progress and prosperity in all their dealings, especially in their personal and corporate businesses.

4.) The Efe Vbe Igbo prayer: Here the people pray to thank the gods for the riches and wealth that they have given to them. They also pray for more riches and wealth from the gods.

5.) The Egberanmwen prayer: This is a prayer that is offered specifically for good health and sound mind. It is usually offered as thanks for the already existing good health and sound mind, and also as an intercession for further good health and sound mind.

6.) The Ofumwengbe prayer: This is a prayer that is offered to the gods for peace of mind and calmness of the soul.

7.) The Oghogho prayer: This prayer is offered specifically for joy and gladness. The people believe that happiness is an important aspect of life, hence, they pray to the gods for their lives with joy and happiness.

8.) The Omo prayer: In this prayer, the people ask for the fruit of the womb. It is also offered as an intercession for women who wish to become pregnant and also for expectant mothers.

9.) The Oyenmwen prayer: This prayer is offered as a thanksgiving to the gods for all they have done for their people. This also prayers comes as a sign of contentment for the abundance of joy and gladness in their lives of their people.

10.) The Utomwen prayer: This prayer is simply offered for king life.

The Igue festival takes the pre-eminence among festivals celebrated in the state.It is celebrated every December by the reigning Oba and his subjects to marks the end of the Benins year and to usher in the new year and as a thanksgiving for the outgoing one.It is a festival brings good luck. It is the beliefs of the Edo people that the luck of their monarch is intertwined with the people over which the monarch reigns.The people look up to the oba for leadership. The Oba is the embodiment of the Edo culture and his luck becomes their own.

It is for this reasons that the Igue festival is celebrated every year.The festival usually begins with the anointing of the Oba’s head with chalk signifying purity and the blood of the sacrificial animals which are usually slaughtered during the festival which is characterised with merriment.

The chiefs usually pay homage to the Oba. After the Oba has performed his own igue, members of the royal family perform their own on the third day and thereafter(three days later),the Edos celebrate their own igue.

Other Festivals
– AGUEBenin traditional fasting period.
– UGIOGUNIn memory of the god of Iron.
– IHIEKHUThis festival is a thanksgiving ceremony to the HANDS which are considered to be creator of many things.
– UGIE-ERHOBAIn memory of the reigning Oba’s father.
EMOBOIn memory of the defeat of Arhuanran by Oba Esigie at Udo.

Some of the festival celebrated in Benin/Edo State:
•Ohonomoimen Festival Of Iuleha (Owans/Oras clan)
•Adu Ikukun Festival (Afemais/ Ivbiosakon Clan)
•Ukpe Festival (Esan/Ishan Clan)
•Ighele Festival (Esan/Ishan Clan)
•Oto Uromi Festival (Esan/Ishan Clan)
•Ivbamen Or Ororuen Festival Of Ozalla (Owans/Oras clan)
•Oriminyan Festival of Oguta- Evbiame (Owans/Oras clan)