The Igede tribe is among the three distinct tribes in Benue state, Although smaller in size compared to Tiv and Idoma, they’ve been able to make their presence felt in economic, political, and educational fields. It is believed that the Igede migrated from Sabongida ora in Owan, Edo State, over four hundred years ago through their forefather, known as Agba. However, there is more to the origin of the Igede tribe than what we’ve read or have been previously told. Join me as I explore what the Igede tribe is about from A to Z.
The Origin of the Igede Tribe
When you talk about the Igede people, the first word that should come to your mind is migration. The Igede people moved from one place to another before arriving in Benue.
They once lived in a place called Sabon gida ora in the present Edo state. When they were there, one day there was no water due to the dry season. An Igede woman went to the stream to fetch water alongside an Ora woman. When the Igede woman wanted to fetch water, the Ora woman confronted her by claiming she was the first to arrive which led to the Ora woman pushing the calabash filled with water that the Igede woman fetched which fell down and broke into pieces. Trouble ensued and made the Igede woman cry while on her way home to report to her people. On the other hand, the Ora woman also went to report to her people and the men came out to plead with the Igede people for them to give them another calabash of water but the Igede refused and said they are not interested in any new pot but the old one and since it is not possible to recreate the broken pot, trouble overshadowed peace in the land. This is how war started between Igede and Ora. When the war started, the Igedes could not contend with the firepower of the Oras which made them leave SabonGida Ora.
After leaving, they went to Enugu and after a while, they left for Onitsha. From Enugu state, they left for Edumoga, then Obodu, and finally Igede which is their present location. At Igede, they first settled at Igbini Igede. Igede people have a common father called Agba. Igede has 14clans including Odu so the Agba made it possible for all clans to make their own movement in whatever direction and that is how every clan made a movement to where they are settled currently.
Initially, when the Igede people were living at Ora, they lived happily because history as it that the Oras and Igedes were given birth to by one man but different women which makes them have most things in common. When the war, which was constituted by Igedes, started, due to pride, the Igede man could not apologise or resolve things.
Source: Google
Sabongida Ora is a foreign name that was given by the northern settlers many years ago when they first arrived in the area now known as Owan West in Edo State. They came and settled, but they were already the Ora people, and the name of the place is Eri obe. Obe was one of the sons of Prince Ozoluwa, who migrated from the Benin kingdom to settle in that area. All the names of most of the major towns are named after his children, and Eri Obe means the town of Obe. However, when the northern settlers came, they found the place very hospitable and named it Sabongida, which translates to “a new found land”. They referred to the place as Sabongida ora amongst themselves, but unfortunately, the name Sabongida eventually almost took over but the actual name is Eri obe town. When they left Ora, some settled in Igboland. If you are travelling to Enugu, you will see a place with the inscription of Egede, which is where some Igede people settled.
When they arrived in Benue, some settled at Eke while others settled in Edumoga Okpokwu, and Otukpo. In Otukpo, the name was formerly Oturkpo which can be traced to the old history. was given by the Igede man after hunting. After hunting, the place they stayed to rest was under a palm tree, they broke palm kernel to eat and drank water to regain their strength the first day. The second day, they toiled around and came back to the same spot, broke another palm kernel to eat and decided that they should name the place Oturkpo. At last, they discovered that land is not theirs and that they only went to hunt and settled there so they continued the journey to Igede land. It is important to note that when the Igede tribe were in Otukpo, there was no house in the town area.
When they settled at Igede, there was nothing like local government, it was under native authority. As at then, Agba was a man with many wives, they gave birth to many children who decided to spread to different places. One could decide to move to Edumoga, Okpokwu, etc. When one of them moves to a particular town, he names it. Agba had 13 children which represents the 13 clans in Igede but the fourteenth clan was named Oju. The 14 clans are:
- Ada (Ada),
- Anchim (Ọchẹchẹ),
- Oye (Ugbodu),
- Ụkpa (Amọnọ),
- Ọbọrụ (Ọgbagba),
- Owo (Ochim-Aadu),
- Ibilla (Ugbeyikum),
- Ainu (Ada-Ainu),
- Ito (Ada-Oto),
- Uwokwu (Ololẹga),
- Idelle (Anyị-Odum),
- Ịgabwụ (Okpalotu),
- Itakpa (Ada Otakpa), and
- Oju (Ọnyị-Okpogo)
Traditional attire
The Igedes are known for theiir traditional aso oke (woven fabrics) which is made of blue, black, and white stripes. This fabric is sewn into any style of the owner’s choice and used as tradional wedding attire or any indigenous gathering.
Source: Google
Occupation
The Igede tribe consists of mainly farmers who are into the cultivation of yams, maize, cassava, and groundnut.
Igede Traditions and Taboo
- It is a taboo for a female on her period to go to the stream or any water source to fetch water, neither is she supposed to go to any water pot in the house. In some cases, they are forbidden to cook for anybody in the family.
- Raising weapons or pointing guns at anyone is a great taboo. The tradition demands goat for sacrifice and the essence is for cleansing and sanctification. Failure to do so attracts the wrath of the gods and a mysterious death is usually associated with the defaulter.
- Killing for money or money rituals is highly prohibited, the gods of the land are against it and people who commit such offenses die mysteriously.
- Having sex in an unroofed building is highly forbidden. Any Igede son or daughter who has sex outside his or home will likely incure the wrath of the gods except they confess to the elders for proper cleansing to pacify the spirit.
- If a wife divorce her husband, when consolation is on the go, the wife must provide a goat for sacrifice. In some cases when the husband is late, the sacrifice is also needed.
- Married women are not allowed to climb trees in their husband’s house.
- Married women are not allowed to sleep with her husband’s brothers or relatives. Failure to confess to the elders has a potential of the woman having complications during childbirth.
- Whistling at night is forbidden as it is believed to attract evil spirits to cause havoc in the house.
- Sweeping in the night is banned as it means sweeping the family riches.
- It is forbidden for a widow to inherit her late husband’s properties and for the deceased brother to give her anything directly. Most gifts and money are given through the male child of the widow.
- Women are forbidden from seeing Apa and Achukwu priest and their entorauge during roundtime prayers and sacrifice to the gods of the land.
FAQs
Who Is the Traditional Ruler in Igede Land?
The traditional ruler of Igede land is Ad’utu.
What Festival Is Celebrated Among the Igede People?
A famous festival among the Igede tribe is the Igede-Agba festival, an annual celebration that marks the yam harvest season in September.
What Is the Process of Marriage in Igede Land?
Before a bride is taken in Igede tribe, the groom arranges gunshots in the air, which indicates that a beautiful bride has been taken from the tribe, and these gunshots only take place on the Igede market day.
What Is Igede Traditional Food?
The Igede traditional food is pounded yam and sesame (beniseed) soup (Oho Nye hia) and other foods like Ihile, Egbe nyi chwo, Egbei and more.