Location of the Ijaw tribe
The Ijaw tribe is among about 250 ethnic nationalities in the Federation of Nigeria, with the largest population in the Niger Delta region. They are found in six out of the thirty-six states, with the largest population in Bayelsa State. The remaining five states are virtual ethnic minorities, with Bayelsa State being the only federating state controlled by the Ijaws. This has led to grievances among the Ijaws, who argue that the Nigerian state structure is biased against them and favours the Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo groups. The Ijaws dominate only 24 out of 774 local government areas, including Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Ondo, and Akwa Ibom. Ijaw communities are also found in Port Harcourt City, Abua/Odual, and Ahoada East LGAs.
Origin
The Ijaw People have been living in the Niger Delta region since before the fifth millennium BCE, maintaining a separate identity due to their location. The Ijaw tribes have been present in Nigeria for over 5,000 years, with the first ancient Ijaw city-state, Agadagba-bou, lasting until 1050 CE. The Ijaw people believed to be descendants of the Oru, were aboriginal people of West Africa and the region of Niger/Benue.
The Ijaw people had about 51 clans and traded among themselves before Europeans arrived. They formed powerful kingdoms with central solid rule, primarily supported by fishing. The Ijaws were among the first people in Nigeria to come in contact with Europeans, trading in enslaved people and palm oil. They also bought slaves from Igboland, including Jubo Jubogha, who later earned his way out of slavery.
The Nembe Ijo people were the first Ijaws to fight and win a battle against the Europeans, setting a huge precedent. King Frederick William Koko of the Nembe-Brass Kingdom led a successful attack on the British Royal Niger Company trading post in 1895 and took over 43 British hostages. After some reprisal attacks, his capital was ransacked, and the British deposed him.
Religion
Most Ijaw people are Christians, with Catholic, Anglican, and Pentecostal denominations, each having their own religious rituals.
The traditional Ijaw society holds long-term celebrations to honour spirits, with masquerades being a highlight. The Ijaw pantheon honours their ancestors and includes water deities known as Owuamapu. They also perform Igbadai, a divination in which recently deceased individuals are questioned about their causes. The Ijaw also venerate their ancestors and water spirits known as Owuamapu.
According to Ijaw religious beliefs, the Owuamapu, or water spirits, are similar to humans regarding personal qualities and weaknesses. They live among these spirits before birth, and praying helps them stay in their good graces. The Ijaw people hold annual, multi-day festivities to commemorate these spirits. They are famous for their cultural festivals and ceremonies, which include wrestling, boat racing, masquerades, and traditional dances. Masquerades play an important role in these festivals, as men dressed in extravagant clothes and carved masks dance to the beat of drums, representing the influence of the water spirits. Egbesu, one of the most important deities in the Ijaw traditional religion, with the leopard as his totem.
Marriage rites
The Ijaws have two types of marriages: small-dowry and large-dowry. In a small-dowry marriage, the groom offers a cash payment to the wife’s family, which is not fully paid. When the bride’s father dies, the groom pays the complete dowry balance and donates it to his father-in-law’s burial. This type allows children to trace their inheritance back to their mother and her relatives, providing more options for living arrangements.
Source: Ijaw Weddings
The most common form of marriage is small-dowry, in which the father’s family raises the children because of the higher dowry. This permits children to select where they live because they are considered to be from both their father’s and mother’s homes.
Traditional attire
Ijaw men typically dress in a trouser and shirt, with a fabric tied around the waist, a cap, and a walking stick. The Ijaw wear shirts in three main styles: Etibo, Owoko, and jumper. Ijaw women typically wear a blouse with two wrappers around their waist and a coral-beaded cap while their neck is adorned with beads.
Source: Ijaw Weddings
Source: Bellannaijaweddings
Occupation
The Ijaw people are primarily fishermen, and the fish industry largely determines their economy. The riverine environment was divided into saltwater and freshwater belts, with the lower delta group producing a few plantains and coconuts. The freshwater belt groups farmed their river banks, producing crops like water yam, plantain, bananas, cassava, cocoyam, peppers, Okro, sugar cane maize, and others. The Ijo operated a labour-intensive artisanal fishery dominated by men controlling fishing and women controlling processing and marketing. Smoke drying was the primary technique for preserving fish. The Ijo also developed flourishing commerce with Europeans in the 16th century, trading indigenous items like alligator pepper, palm oil, palm kernel, and timber products.