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'{{Short description|Nigerian ethnic group}} {{more footnotes needed|date=April 2017}} {{Infobox ethnic group | group = Ijaw | native_name = Ijo | native_name_lang = Ijo/Izon | image = [[File:Ijaw statue.jpg|150px]] | image_caption = Ijaw statue depicting "the many faces of your enemies" | total = 10.8 million | total_ref = <ref name="Africa: Nigeria">{{cite web|work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/|access-date=21 June 2020 |title=Africa: Nigeria}}</ref> | regions = [[Niger Delta]] | langs = [[Ijaw languages]] | rels = [[Christianity]] 90% <br> [[Islam]] 0.2%<br> [[Traditional African religions|Traditional]] 9.8% | related_groups = Urhobo, Isoko, Ukwuani, Itsekiri | related-c = [[Ekpeye people|Ekpeye]], [[Oron people|Oron]], [[Igbo people|Igbo]], [[Ogoni people|Ogoni]], [[Isoko people|Isoko]], [[Eleme people|Eleme]]. }} The '''Ijaw people''', otherwise known as the '''Ijo people''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/ijo|title=Ijo|website=encyclopedia.com.|accessdate=June 24, 2023}}</ref> are an ethnic group found in the [[Niger Delta]] in [[Nigeria]], with significant [[Population|population clusters]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=population {{!}} Definition, Trends, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/population-biology-and-anthropology |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> in [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]], [[Delta State|Delta]], and [[Rivers State|Rivers]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Being Ijaw in the UK: An oddity among fellow Nigerian youth|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/7/8/being-ijaw-in-the-uk-an-oddity-among-fellow-nigerian-youth|access-date=2022-02-10|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref> They also occupy [[Edo State|Edo, Ondo]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://www.ipobinusa.org/ourstory |access-date=2019-06-28 |website=Indigenous People of Biafra USA}}</ref> and small parts of [[Akwa Ibom State|Akwa Ibom]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-27 |title=Ijaw group rejects remapping of Akwa Ibom, says it's 'ploy to regroup oil communities' |url=https://www.thecable.ng/ijaw-group-rejects-remapping-of-akwa-ibom-says-its-ploy-to-regroup-oil-communities |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=TheCable |language=en-US}}</ref> Many are found as [[Migrant worker|migrant]] [[Fisherman|fishermen]] in camps as far west as [[Sierra Leone]] and as far east as [[Gabon]]. They account for about 10.8% of the Nigerian population according to CIA Factbook.<ref name="Africa: Nigeria">{{cite web|work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/|access-date=21 June 2020 |title=Africa: Nigeria}}</ref><ref name="Oxford 2010">{{Cite book |last1=Appiah |first1=Anthony |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0XNvklcqbwC&q=ijaw+population&pg=PA596 |title=Encyclopedia of Africa |last2=Gates |first2=Henry Louis |date=2010 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780195337709 |pages=596}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gedicks |first=Al |url=https://archive.org/details/resourcerebelsna00alge |title=Resource Rebels: Native Challenges to Mining and Oil Corporations |date=2001 |publisher=South End Press |isbn=9780896086401 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/resourcerebelsna00alge/page/50 50] |quote=ijaw million. |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bkRn6pl2fcwC&q=ijaw+13+million&pg=PA55|title=The Marketing of Rebellion: Insurgents, Media, and International Activism|last=Bob|first=Clifford|date=2005-06-06|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521607865|pages=55|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Shoup III">{{Cite book |last=Shoup III |first=John A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GN5yv3-U6goC&q=ijaw+4+million&pg=PA130 |title=Ethnic Groups of Africa and the Middle East: An Encyclopedia: An Encyclopedia |date=2011 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=9781598843637 |pages=130}}</ref> The Ijaws are one of the most populous tribes inhabiting the Niger Delta region and the fourth largest<ref name=":1"/> ethnic group in Nigeria. They have long lived in locations near many sea trade routes, and they were well connected to other areas by trade as early as the late 14th and early 15th centuries.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Showcasing The Ijaw Culture and People of Bayelsa from South-South Nigeria - Courtesy The Scout Association of Nigeria {{!}} World Scouting|url=https://sdgs.scout.org/post/showcasing-ijaw-culture-and-people-bayelsa-south-south-nigeria-courtesy-scout-association|access-date=2021-09-15|website=sdgs.scout.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ijo People – Ijo Information |url=http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/people/Ijo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060206090831/http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/people/Ijo.html |archive-date=February 6, 2006 |access-date=April 15, 2006 |website=Arts & Life in Africa Online}}</ref> In their languages, they often refer to themselves using the [[endonym]] '''Izon'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/7/8/being-ijaw-in-the-uk-an-oddity-among-fellow-nigerian-youth|website=aljazeera.com|date=July 8, 2021|accessdate=July 16, 2023|title=Being Ijaw in the U.K: An oddity among fellow Nigerian youth}}</ref> == History == === Origins === The Izon People have lived in the Niger Delta region since before the fifth millennium BCE, and they were able to keep a separate identity because they lived where the agriculturally dependent Benue-Kwa groups were unable to penetrate. Some of the earliest archeological findings of Ijaw tribes have been dated to as far back as the early 800s BCE.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://study.com/academy/lesson/ijaw-history-culture-facts-oldest-tribe-nigeria.html|title=Ijaw history, culture and facts|access-date=2023-06-06 |website=study.com}}</ref> The timeline that the archaeological excavations provide offers about 3,000 years of evidence of Ijaw history and presence in the Niger Delta. There has been much argument about which tribe in Nigeria is the oldest. The Ijaws started inhabiting the Niger Delta region of what is now Nigeria as far back as 800 BCE,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |url=https://study.com/academy/lesson/ijaw-history-culture-facts-oldest-tribe-nigeria.html#:~:text=The%20Ijaw%20tribe%20is%20the,the%20southwestern%20coastline%20of%20Nigeria.|access-date=2023-06-06 |title=Ijaw history, culture and facts|website=study.com}}</ref> thus making them one of the world's most ancient peoples.<ref name=":3"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fakunle |first=Mike |date=2022-05-31 |title=Top 10 Oldest Tribes In Nigeria |url=https://nigerianinfofinder.com/top-10-oldest-tribes-nigeria/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Nigerian Infofinder |language=en-US}}</ref> They have existed as a distinct language and [[Ethnicity|ethnic group]] for over 5,000 years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The History of the Ijaw People {{!}} Lifestyle {{!}} Religion {{!}} Naijabiography |url=https://naijabiography.com/history-culture/the-history-of-the-ijaw-people/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Naijabiography Media |language=en-US}}</ref> Agadagba-bou, the first ancient Ijaw city-state, existed for more than 400 years,<ref name=":3" /> lasting until 1050 CE. Due to internal conflict and violent weather patterns, this city-state was abandoned. Some of the descendants of this city-state created another in the 11th century called Isoma-bou, which lasted until the 16th century. This city-state, like the last, was founded in the Central Delta Wilberforce Island region. The Wilberforce Island region remains the most Ijaw-populated area of Nigeria. The Ijaws are believed by some to be the descendants of an autochthonous people or an ancient tribe of Africa known as the Oru; the Ijaws were originally known by this name (Oru).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-11-18 |title=Ijaw Culture: A brief walk into the lives of one of the world's most ancient people |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/ijaw-culture-a-brief-walk-into-the-lives-of-one-of-the-worlds-most-ancient-people/wjfy3mb |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> These were believed to be the aboriginal people of West Africa and the region of Niger/Benue. The word ‘Oru’ can be traced to the Egyptian sky god ‘[[Horus]]’. Myth explains that the early ancestors of the Ijaw people descended from the sky. The traditional Ijo narratives refer to the ancestors (the Oru-Otu) or the ancient people (Tobu Otu) who descended from the sky (and this were of divine origin). They are also referred to as the ''water people'' (Beni-Otu). Although this was a very long time ago, the Ijaws have, however, kept the ancient language and culture of the Orus. Language and cultural studies have suggested that they are related to the founders of the Great Nile Valley civilization complex (and possibly the lake Chad complex). They immigrated to West Africa from the Nile Valley during antiquity.<ref name=":1" /> The earliest settlement of the Ijaws can be traced to the Nupe region, after a series of migrations from Sudan and Egypt. The migration took place and they moved to the Benin region and moved out to the Niger Delta before the arrival of Igodomigodo or Benin tribe. The early Ijaw people believed in consanguinity — the act of being descended from the same ancestor, and as a result they all saw themselves as one.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baruwa |first=Eniola |date=2020-02-02 |title=Into The Interesting Life Of The Ijaw Tribe Of Nigeria |url=https://www.zamxahotels.com/guides/2020/02/02/the-interesting-life-of-the-ijaw-tribe-of-nigeria/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Zamxa Travel Guide |language=en-US}}</ref> === Development === The Ijo people have about 51 different clans and were trading amongst themselves before the arrival of Europeans. Their settlements in the Bini region, lower Niger and the Niger Delta were aboriginal (i.e. being the first). They are known to be exceptional sea people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Myths, Realities of Ijaws in Destiny with Rivers - Daily Trust |url=https://dailytrust.com/myths-realities-of-ijaws-in-destiny-with-rivers/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=dailytrust.com}}</ref> In the 12th century, the number of Ijaw states grew, and by the 16th century, the Ijaws formed a number of powerful kingdoms with strong central rule. The Ijaw economy was predominantly supported by fishing, and each clustered group claimed a specific culture and autonomy from the others. They were among the first people in Nigeria to come in contact with Europeans, the earliest explorers arriving in the early 15th century. After contact with European merchants around 1500 CE, communities began trading in enslaved people<ref>{{cite web|url=https://study.com/academy/lesson/ijaw-history-culture-facts-oldest-tribe-nigeria.html|website=study.com|title=Ijaw history, culture and facts|accessdate=June 24, 2023}}</ref> as middlemen<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=ahyoxsoft.com |title=The Ijaw Tribe of Africa |url=http://africabusinessradio.com/content/748 |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=africabusinessradio.com |language=en}}</ref> while they also traded in [[palm oil]]. Traders who amassed wealth within this business market found themselves parading power over the government. Each trader purchased as many enslaved people as possible, valuing ability over genetic kinship as most enslaved people's families were split apart and not valued for their rich culture and heritage. Because an able enslaved person could inherit the business of a trader with no heir, it was possible to have (non-Ijaw) leaders who had been born into slavery; such a leader was [[Jaja of Opobo|King Jaja of Opobo]]. The Ijaw People bought slaves<ref name=":2" /> from [[Igboland]], including [[Jaja of Opobo|Jubo Jubogha]], an Igbo man, who was bought by the Ijo people of Bonny. He later earned his way out of slavery and was renamed Jaja. Over time it was practice for Ijaw villages to buy slaves from Igboland for various reasons, ranging from giving slaves as gifts to newly wed couples and mainly to showcase the wealth of the individual. As was the Ijaw custom, a slave always earned their way out of slavery after serving their master for a number of years. Some Ijaw men went on to marry some slaves, taking them out of slavery by marriage. A number of Ijaw clans thus have remote Igbo ancestry. The [[Nembe Kingdom|Nembe]] Ijo people were the first Ijaws to fight and win a battle against the Europeans. Though a short lived victory, a huge precedent was set by way of this. King [[Frederick William Koko Mingi VIII of Nembe|Frederick William Koko]] (Mingi VIII) of the Nembe-Brass Kingdom (1853–1898) led a successful attack on the British Royal Niger Company trading post in 1895.<ref>{{Citation |last=alagoa |first=e j alagoae j |editor-first1=Emmanuel K. |editor-first2=Henry Louis |editor-last1=Akyeampong |editor-last2=Gates |title=Koko, Frederick William |date=2011-01-01 |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001/acref-9780195382075-e-1111;jsessionid=17DCFE670F2AC5E7B264FE15E02EDAE5 |work=Dictionary of African Biography |access-date=2023-06-06 |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001 |isbn=978-0-19-538207-5}}</ref> King Koko also took over 43 British hostages,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Etekpe |first=Ambily |title=African Political Thought & Its Relevance In Contemporary World Order |publisher=Harey Publication Coy. |year=2009 |isbn=9789784911504 |pages=166 |language=English}}</ref> whom he [[Human cannibalism|killed and ceremoniously ate]]. King Koko was offered a settlement for his grievances, but he  found the terms unacceptable. After some reprisal attacks by the British, his capital was ransacked. King Koko fled, and so was deposed by the British. He died in exile in 1898. ==Language== {{main|Ijaw languages}} [[File:IjawHistory.jpeg|240px|Map showing Ijaw (Ijo) area in Nigeria|thumb]] The Ijaws speak nine closely related [[Niger–Congo languages|Niger-Congo languages]], all of which belong to the [[Ijoid languages|Ijoid]] branch of the Niger-Congo tree.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ijo {{!}} people|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ijo|access-date=2021-09-17|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> The primary division between the [[Ijo languages]] is that between Eastern Ijo and Western Ijo, the most important of the former group of languages being [[Izon language|Izon]], which is spoken by about five million people. There are two prominent groupings of the Ijaw language. The first, termed either Western or Central Izon (Ijaw) consists of Western Ijaw speakers: [[Tuomo| Tuomo Clan]], Egbema, [[Ekeremor clan|Ekeremor]], [[Mein clan|Sagbama (Ogobiri-Mein)]], [[Bassan clan|Bassan]], [[Western Apoi clan|Apoi]], [[Arogbo clan|Arogbo]], [[Boma clan|Boma]] (Bumo), [[Kabo clan|Kabo (Kabuowei)]], Ogboin, Tarakiri, and Kolokuma-Opokuma.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ijoid languages|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ijoid-languages|access-date=2021-09-17|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> [[Nembe]], [[Ogbia]], [[Brass, Nigeria|Brass]] and [[Akassa clan|Akassa]] (Akaha) dialects represent Southeast Ijo (Izon).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-05 |title=A Brief Walk into the Lives of Ijaw People |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/ijaw-culture-a-brief-walk-into-the-lives-of-one-of-the-worlds-most-ancient-people/wjfy3mb |access-date=2020-01-22 |website=Pulse Nigeria}}</ref> [[Buseni clan|Buseni]] and Okordia dialects are considered Inland Ijo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-10 |title=The Origination of Ijaw Nation |url=https://creekvibes.com/2020/03/10/the-origination-of-ijaw-nation/ |access-date=2020-05-23 |website=Creekvibes |language=en-US}}</ref> It was discovered in the 1980s that a now extinct [[Berbice Creole Dutch]], spoken in Guyana, is partly based on Ijo [[lexicon]] and [[grammar]]. Its nearest relative seems to be Eastern Ijo, most likely Kalabari.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=Norval S. H. |last2=Robertson |first2=Ian E. |last3=Williamson |first3=Kay |date=1987 |title=The Ịjọ Element in Berbice Dutch |journal=Language in Society |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=49–89 |doi=10.1017/S0047404500012124 |jstor=4167815|s2cid=146234088 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kouwenberg |first=Silvia |title=A Grammar of Berbice Dutch Creole |date=1994 |publisher=Mouton de Gruyter |location=Berlin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kouwenburg |first=Silvia |title=Black Through White: African Words and Calques Which Survived Slavery in Creoles and Transplanted European Languages |date=2012 |publisher=Battlebridge |editor-last=Bartens |editor-first=A. |location=London |pages=135–153 |chapter=The Ijo‑derived Lexicon of Berbice Dutch Creole: An A‑typical Case of African Lexical Influence |editor-last2=Baker |editor-first2=P.}}</ref> ==Clans== The Ijaw People can be grouped into three. The first, which is termed as '''Central Ijaw (Ijo)''', consists of Central Ijaw languages and subgroups: Ogbia subgroup and language, Epie-Atisa (Epie) subgroup and language, all part of Ijo people in  Bayelsa. Ijaw Language, spoken by people in Ekeremor, Sagbama (Kumbo), Amassoma, Apoi, Arogbo, Boma (Bumo), Kabo (Kabuowei), Olodiama, Ogboin, Tarakiri, and Kolokuma-Opokuma, Tungbo, Tuomo, etc. all in Bayelsa. Nembe Language, spoken by people in [[Nembe]], [[Twon-Brass|Brass]], and Akassa (Akaha) in Bayelsa. Abua language, spoken by Abua/Odual people in Rivers State. Other Central subgroups are Biseni People, Akinima, Mbiama, Engeni and some subgroups in the Ahoda regions in Rivers State. The second is the '''Eastern Ijaw (Ijo)''' found in Rivers<ref>{{Cite news |last=OLANIYI |first=Bisi |date=2014 |title=Rivers Ijaw…Unique people, great culture, endless prospects |work=The Nation |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/rivers-ijawunique-people-great-culture-endless-prospects/}}</ref> and Akwa Ibom States. They include Kalabari ([[Abonnema]], Buguma, Degema etc.), Okirika, [[Opobo]], Port Harcourt South, [[Kingdom of Bonny|Bonny]], Finima, Nkoro, [[Andoni]], and Obolo people ''(part of Andoni)'' <ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ibaba |first=Samuel Ibaba |date=2012 |title=Ijaws and the Militianisation of Conflict in the Niger Delta: Exploring the Role of Upland Bias in Resource Allocation |url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Ijaw-Communities-and-their-Location-by-States-Clans-Only_tbl1_340983281 |journal=Ijaws and the Militianisation of Conflict Research Gate Journal - Excerpts |pages=3}}</ref>), who can also be traced to Akwa Ibom State, near the border with Rivers State. Third is the '''Western Ijaw (Ijo)''', found in Delta, Ondo and Edo states. They can be found in Ondo state<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Akeredolu and the Plight of the Ijaw Community in Ondo - THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/09/19/akeredolu-and-the-plight-of-the-ijaw-community-in-ondo |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=www.thisdaylive.com |language=en}}</ref> due to migrations many years prior. The [[Arogbo tribe|Arogbo Ijaws]] and the Western Apoi tribe of the Ijaw people live in Ondo State, Nigeria. The tribe (also called Ijaw Apoi or Apoi) consists of nine settlements: Igbobini, Ojuala, Ikpoke, Inikorogha, Oboro, Shabomi, Igbotu, Kiribo and Gbekebo. The Apoi inhabited higher ground than most of the other Ijaw tribes. They speak the Yoruba language and Ijaw. They are bordered to the north by the Ikale and to the west by the Ilaje.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crisis Brews In Ondo State As Ijaw Community Accuses Ilaje Of Murder, Demands Investigation {{!}} Sahara Reporters |url=https://saharareporters.com/2022/10/13/crisis-brews-ondo-state-ijaw-community-accuses-ilaje-murder-demands-investigation |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=saharareporters.com}}</ref> The clan also shares border with the [[Arogbo tribe|Arogbo Ijaw]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nigeria |first=News Agency of |date=2023-04-30 |title=INC lauds Gov Akeredolu for installing 5 Ijaw kings in Ondo |url=https://gazettengr.com/inc-lauds-gov-akeredolu-for-installing-5-ijaw-kings-in-ondo/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Peoples Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref> to the south of Ondo and the Furupagha Ijaw to the east across the Siloko River. The founding ancestors of the Arogbo were part of the same migration from Ujo-Gbaraun town. After a brief stop at Oproza, led by Eji and his younger brother, Perebiyenmo and sister, Fiyepatei, they went on to Ukparomo (now occupied by the towns of Akpata, Opuba, Ajapa, and Ukpe). They stayed here for some time, about the length of the reign of two Agadagbas (''military priest-rulers of the shrine of Egbesu''). They then moved to the present site of Arogbo. From this place descendants spread out to found the Arogbo Ibe. The Isaba, Kabo, Tuomo, Kumbo, Ogulagha, Patani, and Gbaramatu peoples of Delta state are also part of the Western Ijo subgroups. In Edo state, the Ijo first settled in an area called Ikoro.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-07 |title=Ikoro: So close to civilisation, yet far |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/ikoro-so-close-to-civilisation-yet-far/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Tribune Online |language=en-GB}}</ref> Their traditional rulers are called Peres and Agadagbas, and are thought to predate the Benin monarchy. 'Pere' means king in some of the Ijaw languages.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ijo {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/ijo|access-date=2022-01-31|website=www.encyclopedia.com}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="width:120px;"|Name ! style="width:120px;"|State ! style="width:120px;"|Alternate Names |- |Abureni |Bayelsa | |- | '''[[Akassa tribe|Akassa]]''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || Akaha, Akasa |- | '''[[Andoni people|Andoni]]''' || [[Rivers State|Rivers]] | |- |Anyama |Bayelsa | |- | '''[[Eastern Apoi tribe|Apoi (Eastern)]]''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || |- | '''[[Western Apoi tribe|Apoi (Western)]]''' || [[Ondo State|Ondo]] || |- | '''[[Arogbo tribe|Arogbo]]''' || [[Ondo State|Ondo]] || |- | '''[[Bassan tribe|Bassan]]''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || Basan |- | '''[[Bille tribe|Bille]]''' || [[Rivers State|Rivers]] || Bile, Bili |- | '''Bumo''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || [[Boma, Kongo Central|Boma]], Bomo |- | '''[[Buseni tribe|Buseni]]''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || Biseni |- | '''[[Egbema tribe|Egbema]]''' || [[Delta State|Delta]] |- | '''Operemor''' || [[Delta State|Delta]]/[[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || Operemor, Ekeremo, Ojobo |- | '''[[Ekpetiama tribe|Ekpetiama]]''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || |- | '''Gbaramatu''' || [[Delta State|Delta]] || Gbaramatu |- | '''[[Gbaran tribe|Gbaran]][[Gbarain]]''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || |- | '''[[Ibani]]''' || [[Rivers State|Rivers]] || |- | '''[[Iduwini tribe|Iduwini]]''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]]/[[Delta State|Delta]] || |- | '''[[Isaba tribe|Isaba]]''' || [[Delta State|Delta]] || |- | '''[[Kabo tribe|Kabo]]''' || [[Delta State|Delta]] || Kabowei, Kabou |- | '''[[Kalabari tribe|Kalabari]]''' || [[Rivers State|Rivers]] || |- |- | '''Ke''' || [[Rivers State|Rivers]] || Obiansoama, Kenan City |- |'''Kolo Creek''' |Bayelsa | |- | '''[[Kolokuma tribe|Kolokuma]]''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || |- | '''Kou''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || |-<ref>Ijaw National Congress (INC) Constitution</ref> | '''[[Kula tribe (Nigeria)|Kula]]''' || [[Rivers State|Rivers]] || |- | '''[[Kumbo tribe|Kumbo]]''' || [[Delta State|Delta]] || Kumbowei |- | '''[[Mein tribe|Mein]]''' || [[Delta State|Delta]]/[[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || |- | '''[[Nkoro tribe|Nkoro]]''' || [[Rivers State|Rivers]] ||Kirika, Nk City |- | '''[[Obotebe tribe|Obotebe]]''' || [[Delta State|Delta]] || |- | '''Odimodi''' || [[Delta State|Delta]] || |- | '''[[Ogbe tribe|Ogbe]]''' || [[Delta State|Delta]] || Ogbe-Ijoh |- | '''Ogboin''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || |- | '''[[Ogulagha]]''' || [[Delta State|Delta]] || Ogula, Small London |- | '''[[Okrika]]''' || [[Rivers State|Rivers]] ||Wakirike |- | '''Okordia''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || Okodia, Akita |- | '''Olodiama (East)''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || |- | '''[[Oloibiri]]''' |Bayelsa | |- | '''[[Opokuma]]''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || |- | '''Oporoma''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || Oporomo |- | '''[[Oruma]]''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || Tugbene |- | '''Oyakiri''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || Beni |- | '''Seimbiri''' || [[Delta State|Delta]] || |- | '''Tarakiri (East)''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || |- | '''Tarakiri (West)''' || [[Delta State|Delta]] || |- | '''Tungbo''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || |- | '''[[Tuomo Town|Tuomo]]''' || [[Delta State|Delta]] / [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || T.T Clan |- | '''Zarama''' || [[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]] || |- |[[Unyeada Kingdom|'''Unyeada''']] |[[Rivers]] |Unyeada |- | | | |} ==Traditional occupations== [[File:IjoMask1.jpg|200px|thumb|An Ijaw mask]] The Ijaws were one of the first of Nigeria's peoples to have contact with Westerners and were active as go-betweens in the trade between visiting [[Europeans]] and the peoples of the interior, particularly in the era before the discovery of [[quinine]], when [[West Africa]] was still known as the "White Man's Graveyard" because of the endemic presence of [[malaria]]. Some of the kin-based trading lineages that arose among the Ijaws developed into substantial corporations which were known as "[[House society|houses]]"; each house had an elected leader as well as a fleet of war canoes for use in protecting trade and fighting rivals. The other main occupation common among the Ijaws has traditionally been fishing and farming.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-07-24|title=Rivers Ijaw…Unique people, great culture, endless prospects|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/rivers-ijawunique-people-great-culture-endless-prospects/|access-date=2022-01-31|website=The Nation Newspaper|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=National African Language Resource Center|title=IJAW-National African Language Resource Centre|url=https://nalrc.indiana.edu/doc/brochures/ijaw.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjktOyau9z1AhWTAmMBHSY0DtkQFnoECCcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1NLT2ES45YtXq2EM4Ab2dT|journal=National African Language Resource Center|pages=2}}</ref> Being a maritime people, many Ijaws were employed in the merchant shipping sector in the early and mid-20th century (pre-Nigerian Independence). With the advent of oil and gas exploration in their territory, some are now employed in that sector. Another major occupation is service in the [[civil service]] sector of the Nigerian states of [[Bayelsa]] and [[River]]s, where they are predominant.<ref>{{Cite thesis|title=What's Ethnicity got to do with it? The Workplace Lived Experience of Ethnic Minority (IJAW) Women in the Nigerian Civil Service|url=https://doi.org/10.15123/PUB.5533|publisher=University of East London|date=May 2016|degree=phd|doi=10.15123/pub.5533|language=en|first=Biebele|last=Alex-Hart}}</ref> Extensive state-government sponsored overseas [[scholarship]] programs in the 1970s and 1980s have also led to a significant presence of Ijaw [[professionals]] in Europe and North America (the so-called Ijaw diaspora). Another contributing factor to this [[human capital flight]] is the abject poverty in their homeland of the [[Niger Delta]], resulting from decades of neglect by the Nigerian government and oil companies in spite of continuous petroleum prospecting in this region since the 1950s.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-11-20|title=Ijaw: Managing the ethnic question in Nigeria's politics|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/ijaw-managing-the-ethnic-question-in-nigeria’s-politics/|access-date=2022-01-31|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US}}</ref> ==Lifestyle== The Ijaw people live by fishing supplemented by farming [[Paddy field|paddy]]-[[rice]], [[Plantain (cooking)|plantains]], [[Cassava]], [[Yam (vegetable)|yams]], [[cocoyam]]s, [[banana]]s and other vegetables as well as tropical fruits such as [[guava]], [[mangoes]] and [[pineapple]]s; and trading. Smoke-dried fish, [[timber]], [[palm oil]] and [[Arecaceae|palm]] [[seed|kernel]]s are processed for export. While some clans (those to the east- [[Akassa]], [[Kalabari tribe|Bille, Kalabari]], [[Nkoro]], [[Okrika]], [[Andoni]] and [[Kingdom of Bonny|Bonny]]) had powerful kings and a [[Social stratification|stratified society]], some clans are believed not to have had any centralized confederacies until the arrival of the British. Individual communities in the western [[Niger Delta]] also had chiefs and governments at the village level.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Showcasing The Ijaw Culture and People of Bayelsa from South-South Nigeria - Courtesy The Scout Association of Nigeria {{!}} World Scouting|url=https://sdgs.scout.org/post/showcasing-ijaw-culture-and-people-bayelsa-south-south-nigeria-courtesy-scout-association|access-date=2022-02-01|website=sdgs.scout.org}}</ref> For women, there are traditional rights of passage throughout life, marked with [[Iria marriage|iria ceremonies]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=punchng |title=Iria Festival: Excitement in Rivers community as maidens are set to dance half-naked |url=https://punchng.com/iria-festival-excitement-in-rivers-community-as-maidens-are-set-to-dance-half-naked/ |access-date=10 July 2023 |work=Punch Newspapers |date=3 November 2018}}</ref> [[Funeral]] ceremonies, particularly for those who have accumulated wealth and respect, are often very dramatic. Traditional religious practices center around "Water spirits" in the Niger river, and around tribute to [[ancestors]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=mask for the ijaw water spirit |url=https://masksoftheworld.com/mask-for-the-ijaw-water-spirit/ |access-date=1 February 2022 |website=masksoftheworld.com}}</ref> === Marriages === Marriages are completed by the payment of a bridal [[dowry]], which increases in size if the bride is from another village (so as to make up for that village's loss of her children). Unlike most tribes, the Ijaws have two forms of marriage. In the first, which is a small-dowry marriage, the groom is traditionally obliged to offer a payment to the wife's family, which is typically cash. The dowry sum is not paid completely. At the death of the bride's father, the groom then pays the complete dowry balance as part of his contribution to his father-in-law's burial. In this type of marriage, the children trace their line of inheritance through their mother to her family, meaning that when the children grow up, they have more choices as to where they can live. They can either decide to live with their father's people or with their mother's. They are considered to be from both their father's and mother's places. This is the most common type of marriage. In contrast to the first type, the second type of marriage is a large-dowry marriage. Here, the children belong to the father's family as a result of the fact that the dowry is greater in size. == Cultural Attires == Some cultural attires of the Ijaw people are the Etibor, Namatibi/Feni, Peletebite, Don, George cloth, Ojubulu.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} ==Religion and cultural practices== Although the Ijaw are now primarily [[Christians]] (65% profess to be),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zamxahotels.com/guides/2020/02/02/the-interesting-life-of-the-ijaw-tribe-of-nigeria/|title=The Interesting Life Of The Ijaw Tribe Of Nigeria|website=zamxahotels.com|date=February 2, 2020|accessdate=June 25, 2023}}</ref> with [[Roman Catholicism]], [[Zion Church (disambiguation)|Zion Church]], [[Anglicanism]] and [[Pentecostalism]] being the varieties of Christianity most prevalent among them, they also have elaborate traditional religious practices of their own. Traditionally, the Ijaws hold celebrations to honour the spirits that last for several days. The highlight of these festivals is the role of [[masquerade ceremony|masquerades]]. Veneration of ancestors plays a central role in Ijaw traditional religion, while water spirits, known as ''Owuamapu'', also figure prominently in the Ijaw [[pantheon (religion)|pantheon]]. In addition, the Ijaw practice a form of [[divination]] called ''Igbadai'', which involves recently deceased individuals being interrogated on the causes of their death. Ijaw religious beliefs hold that the ''owuamapu'' are like humans in having personal strengths and shortcomings, and that humans dwell among these water spirits before being born. The role of prayer in the traditional Ijaw system of belief is to maintain the living in the good graces of the ''owuamapu'', among whom they dwelt before being born into this world, and each year the Ijaw hold celebrations to honour the spirits lasting for several days. Central to the festivities is the role of masquerades, in which men wearing elaborate outfits and carved masks dance to the beat of drums and manifest the influence of the water spirits through the quality and intensity of their dancing. Particularly spectacular masqueraders are taken to actually be in the possession of the particular spirits on whose behalf they are dancing.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 January 2021|title=mask for the ijaw water spirit|url=https://masksoftheworld.com/mask-for-the-ijaw-water-spirit/|access-date=1 February 2022|website=masksoftheworld.com}}</ref> Important deities in the Ijaw religion include [[Egbesu]], whose [[totem]]s are the [[leopard]], [[Black panther|panther]] and [[lion]], and who manifests as a god of [[justice]].<ref>Elias Courson & Michael E. Odijie (2020) Egbesu: An African Just War Philosophy and Practice, Journal of African Cultural Studies, 32:4, 493-508, DOI: 10.1080/13696815.2019.1706460</ref> Many of the Ijaws are warriors, and often offer veneration to Egbesu as a god of war as well. At the sound of the 'Asawana', the Ijaw warrior readies himself for war using Egbesu as a shield. One of Egbesu's prime laws is that an Ijaw person should not be the cause of the problem, or the one to start the fight, but should respond only when he or she must. This is a manifestation of the Ijaw virtue of [[patience]]. There are also a small number of [[converts to Islam]], the most notable being the founder of the Delta People Volunteer Force [[Mujahid Dokubo-Asari]]. == Notable leaders == * [[Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin]] * Abel Aboh <ref name="British Data Award">{{Cite web|title=British Data Award|url= https://refinedng.com/abel-aboh-named-finalist-in-the-2021-british-data-awards/|access-date=2023-03-28|website=www.refinedng.com|language=en-US}}</ref> * [[Edwin Clark (politician)|Edwin K. Clarke]] * [[Heineken Lokpobiri]] * [[Goodluck Jonathan|Goodluck Jonathan GCFR GCON]]<ref name="Shoup III"/> ==Food customs== Like many ethnic groups in Nigeria, the Ijaws have many local foods that are not widespread in Nigeria. Many of these foods involve fish and other seafoods such as clams, oysters and periwinkles; yams and plantains. Some of these foods are:<ref>{{Cite web|last=Atulegwu|first=David|date=2020-06-01|title=List of Traditional Foods in Nigeria|url=https://nigerianinfopedia.com.ng/list-of-traditional-foods-in-nigeria/|access-date=2022-02-11|website=Nigerian Infopedia|language=en-US}}</ref> *'''Polofiyai''' — A very rich soup made with yams and palm oil. *'''Kekefiyai'''— A pottage made with chopped unripened (green) plantains, fish, other seafood or [[game]] [[meat]] ("[[bushmeat]]") and palm oil. *'''Fried or roasted fish and plantain''' — Fish fried in palm oil and served with fried plantains. *'''Gbe''' — The grub of the raffia-palm tree beetle that is eaten raw, dried, fried in groundnut oil or pickled in palm oil. *'''Kalabari "sea-harvest" fulo'''— A rich mixed seafood soup or stew that is eaten with [[foofoo]], rice or yams. *'''Owafiya (bean pottage)''' — A pottage made with [[Beans]], palm oil, fish or bushmeat, Yam or Plantain. It is taken with processed Cassava or Starch. *'''Geisha soup''' — This a kind of soup cooked from the geisha fish; it is made with pepper, salt, water and boiling it for some minutes. *'''Opuru-fulou''' — Also referred to as prawn soup, prepared mainly with prawn, [[Irvingia gabonensis|Ogbono]] ([[Irvingia gabonensis|Irvingia gabonensis seeds]]), dried fish, table salt, crayfish, onions, fresh pepper, and red palm oil. *'''Yellow soup''' - Made with [[Fresh Fish|fresh fish]] (mostly [[catfish]]) and fresh pepper and red palm oil and thickened with [[garri]] or biscuits. Sometimes fresh tomatoes can be added to the soup. * '''Onunu''' - Made with pounded yams and boiled overripe plantains. It is mostly enjoyed by the [[Okrika]]ns<ref name="Benjamin et al. 2018">{{Cite journal |last1=Benjamin |first1=Amadi |last2=Dikhioye |first2=Peters |last3=Emmanuel |first3=Agomuo |last4=Peter |first4=Amadi |last5=Grace |first5=Denson |date=2018 |title=Nutrient Composition of Some Selected Traditional Foods of Ijaw People of Bayelsa State |url=http://www.uwm.edu.pl/polish-journal/issues/no-3312018 |journal=Polish Journal of Natural Sciences |volume=33 |issue=1 |pages=59–74}}</ref> *'''Kiri-igina''' — Prepared without cooking on fire with Ogbono ([[Irvingia gabonensis|Irvingia gabonensis seeds]]), dried fish, table salt, crayfish.<ref name="Benjamin et al. 2018" /><ref name="bayelsa">{{Cite web |title=Nigerian Arts and Culture Directory |url=http://www.nacd.gov.ng/Bayelsa_State_Cuisines.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326012610/http://www.nacd.gov.ng/Bayelsa_State_Cuisines.htm |archive-date=2012-03-26 |access-date=2019-09-14 |website=Bayesla State Cuisines}}</ref> *'''Ignabeni''' — A watery soup prepared with either yam or plantain seasoned with [[Camellia sinensis|teabush]] leaves, pepper, goat meat, and fish.<ref name=bayelsa/> *'''Pilo-garri''' — A Bille meal mostly eaten during the raining season. It is prepared with dry [[garri]], red palm oil, salt and eaten with roasted seafoods (fish, Isemi, Ngbe, Ikoli, etc.). *'''Igbugbai fiyai''' - A soup prepared without oil, only fish, onion, periwinkle, Bush leaves and other seafood. This soup, once prepared, is mostly eaten by Odimodi people. *'''Kpanfaranran [fry fiyai]''' A soup prepared by frying the palm oil before adding your fish, meat, crayfish, periwinkle, and other seafood. This food is mostly cooked by the Odimodi people. ==Ethnic identity== Formerly organized into several loose clusters of villages ([[Confederation|confederacies]]) which cooperated to defend themselves against outsiders, the Ijaw increasingly view themselves as belonging to a single coherent nation, bound together by ties of language and culture. This tendency has been encouraged in large part by what are considered to be environmental degradations that have accompanied the exploitation of oil in the Niger delta region which the Ijaw call home, as well as by a revenue sharing formula with the Nigerian Federal Government that is viewed by the Ijaw as manifestly unfair. The resulting sense of grievance has led to several high-profile clashes with the Nigerian Federal authorities, including kidnappings and in the course of which many lives have been lost. The Ijaw people are resilient and proud. Long before the [[Colonisation of Africa|colonial era]], the Ijaw people traveled by wooded boats and canoes to [[Cameroon]], [[Ghana]] and other West African countries. They traveled up the [[Niger River|River Niger]] from the River Nun. ==Ijaw–Itsekiri conflicts== {{main| Warri Crisis}} One manifestation of ethnic violence on the part of the Ijaw has been an increase in the number and severity of clashes between Ijaw militants and those of [[Itsekiri]] origin, particularly in the town of [[Warri, Nigeria|Warri]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|title=Refworld {{!}} Nigeria: The conflict between Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic groups in Warri, Delta region (March 1997-September 1999)|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad6864.html|access-date=2022-02-11|website=Refworld|language=en}}</ref> Deadly conflicts had rocked the South-South region, especially in [[Delta State]], where intertribal killings had resulted in death on both sides.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-03 |title=Communal Clash Causes Tension In Delta As Ijaw Youths Kill Four Itsekiri |url=http://www.informationng.com/2013/07/communal-clash-causes-tension-in-delta-as-ijaw-youths-kill-four-itsekiri.html |access-date=2016-02-09 |publisher=Information Nigeria}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-23 |title=Brother Against brother: Reigniting Itsekiri, Ijaw Tensions |url=http://thenationonlineng.net/new/brother-against-brother-reigniting-itsekiri-ijaw-tensions/ |access-date=2016-02-09 |publisher=The Nation Nigeria}}</ref> In July 2013, local police discovered mutilated corpses of 13 Itsekiris killed by Ijaws, over a dispute on a candidate for a local council chairman. Several Itsekiri villages, including Gbokoda, Udo, Ajamita, Obaghoro and Ayerode-Zion on the Benin river axis, were razed down while several Itsekiris lost their lives.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-09 |title=Ijaw/Itsekiri Crisis: Police Recover Gory Corpses of Slain Uduaghan Kinsmen |url=http://saharareporters.com/2013/07/09/ijawitsekiri-crisis-police-recover-gory-corpses-slain-uduaghan-kinsmen |access-date=2016-02-09 |publisher=Sahara Reporters}}</ref> ==Oil conflict== {{main|Nigerian Oil Crisis}} The December 1998 All Ijaw Youths Conference crystallized the struggle with the formation of the Ijaw Youth Movement (IYM) and the issuing of the [[Kaiama Declaration]]. In it, long-held Ijaw concerns about the loss of control of their homeland and their own lives to the oil companies were joined with a commitment to direct action. In the declaration, and in a letter to the companies, the Ijaws called for oil companies to suspend operations and withdraw from Ijaw territory. The IYM pledged “to struggle peacefully for freedom, self-determination and ecological justice,” and prepared a campaign of celebration, prayer, and direct action 'Operation Climate Change' beginning December 28, 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kaiama Declaration|url=http://www.unitedijaw.com/kaiama.htm|access-date=2021-09-17|website=www.unitedijaw.com}}</ref> In December 1998, two warships and 10–15,000 Nigerian troops occupied Bayelsa and Delta states as the Ijaw Youth Movement (IYM) mobilized for Operation Climate Change. Soldiers entering the Bayelsa state capital of [[Yenagoa]] announced they had come to attack the youths trying to stop the oil companies. On the morning of December 30, 1998, two thousand young people processed through Yenagoa, dressed in black, singing and dancing. Soldiers opened fire with rifles, machine guns, and tear gas, killing at least three protesters and arresting twenty-five more. After a march demanding the release of those detained was turned back by soldiers, three more protesters were shot dead. The head of Yenagoa rebels - Chief Oweikuro Ibe - was burned alive in his mansion on December 28, 1998. Amongst his family members to flee the premises before the complete destruction was his only son, Desmond Ibe. The military declared a state of emergency throughout Bayelsa state, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew, and banned meetings. At military roadblocks, local residents were severely beaten or detained. At night, soldiers invaded private homes, terrorizing residents with beatings and women and girls with rape.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|title=Refworld {{!}} Nigeria: 4 and 8 October 1998 seizeure of flow stations of Shell Petroleum Development at Forcados by Ijaw youths, reaction of authorities and treatment of suspects involved|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad6f80.html|access-date=2022-02-11|website=Refworld|language=en}}</ref> On January 4, 1999, about one hundred soldiers from the military base at [[Chevron Corporation|Chevron]]’s Escravos facility attacked Opia and Ikiyan, two Ijaw communities in Delta State. Bright Pablogba, the traditional leader of Ikiyan, who came to the river to negotiate with the soldiers, was shot along with a seven-year-old girl and possibly dozens of others. Of the approximately 1,000 people living in the two villages, four people were found dead and sixty-two were still missing months after the attack. The same soldiers set the villages ablaze, destroyed canoes and fishing equipment, killed livestock, and destroyed churches and religious shrines.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NIGERIA|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/nigeria2/Ngria993-05.htm|access-date=2022-02-11|website=www.hrw.org}}</ref> Nonetheless, Operation [[Climate Change]] continued, and disrupted Nigerian oil supplies through much of 1999 by turning off valves through Ijaw territory. In the context of high conflict between the Ijaw and the Nigerian Federal Government (and its police and army), the military carried out the [[Odi massacre]], killing scores if not hundreds of Ijaws.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-11-23|title=INTERVIEW: Odi 1999 Massacre: Why we will never forgive Obasanjo, Alamieyeseigha – Odi Community Chairman|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/features-and-interviews/364370-interview-odi-1999-massacre-why-we-will-never-forgive-obasanjo-alamieyeseigha-odi-community-chairman.html|access-date=2022-02-11|language=en-GB}}</ref> Recent actions by Ijaws against the oil industry have included both renewed efforts at nonviolent action and [[militarized]] attacks on oil installations but with no human casualties to foreign oil workers despite hostage-takings. These attacks are usually in response to non-fulfilment by oil companies of memoranda of understanding with their host communities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-13 |title=Ijaw Coalition Threatens Legal Action Over Marginal Oil Fields Bid Round |url=https://t.guardian.ng/news/ijaw-coalition-threatens-legal-action-over-marginal-oil-fields-bid-round/ |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}</ref> ==Notable people== *[[Goodluck Jonathan]], politician and 14th President of Nigeria<ref>{{Cite web|title=Goodluck Jonathan {{!}} Biography & Facts {{!}} Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Goodluck-Jonathan|access-date=2022-02-11|website=www.britannica.com|language=en}}</ref> *[[J.P. Clark]], poet and playwright *[[Gabriel Okara]], poet and novelist *[[Owoye Andrew Azazi]], a former Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff and National Security Adviser *[[Patience Jonathan|Patience Faka Jonathan]], Former First Lady Of Nigeria (2010-2015) *[[Frederick William Koko Mingi VIII of Nembe|King Frederick William Koko]], (Mingi VIII) King of [[Nembe Kingdom|Nembe]]-[[Brass, Nigeria|Brass]] Kingdom (1853–1898), and many more. *[[Timi Dakolo]], Nigerian singer-songwriter<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-24 |title=The Art In The Artist TIMI DAKOLO |url=https://guardian.ng/life/the-art-in-the-artist-timi-dakolo/ |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}</ref> *[[Ibinabo Fiberesima]], Nigerian Nollywood actress *[[Ben Murray-Bruce]], Nigerian media mogul and senator *[[Ebikabowei Victor-Ben|Ebikabowei Victor Ben]], [[Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta|MEND]] general *[[Kingsley Kuku]] former chairman, niger delta presidential amnesty program *[[Eruani Azibapu Godbless]], businessman and former Bayelsa Commissioner for Health *[[Patience Torlowei]], artist and fashion designer *[[Finidi George]], Nigerian footballer and coach *[[Taribo West]], Nigerian former soccer player and pastor *[[Samson Siasia]], Nigerian footballer and coach *[[Timaya|Inetimi Odon Timaya]], Nigerian singer *[[Burna Boy|Damini Ogulu (Burna Boy)]], Nigerian singer and Grammy award winner *[[Ideye Brown]], Nigerian footballer * [[Alfred Diete-Spiff|King Alrlfred Diete-Spiff]], former Military Governor of Rivers State and Amanayabo (King) of [[Twon-Brass]] * King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI, Amanayabo (King) of [[Kingdom of Bonny|Grand Bonny Kingdom]] *High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo aka [[Tompolo]], Nigerian freedom fighter (ex-militant) commander<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-25|title=Who Is Tompolo? Biography and Net Worth of the Billionaire Militant|url=https://buzznigeria.com/tompolo-militant-net-worth-private-jet/|access-date=2022-02-11|website=BuzzNigeria.com|language=en-US}}</ref> *[[Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin]], clergyman. *[[Tammy Abraham]], professional footballer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Athletic |first=The |title=Tammy Bakumo-Abraham - Premier League Attacker - News, Stats, Bio and more |url=https://theathletic.com/player/premier-league/free-agent/tammy-abraham/ |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}</ref> * *[[Agbani Darego]], professional model and beauty queen. *[[Gentle Jack]], professional Nollywood actor. *[[Dakore Egbuson-Akande|Dakore Egbuson Akande]], Nollywood Actress *[[Kingsley Otuaro]] Former Deputy Governor of [[Delta State]] *[[Timini Egbuson]], Nollywood actor *[[Henry Seriake Dickson]], politician and former governor *[[Timipre Sylva]], politician and former governor of Bayelsa State, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. ==Ijaw organisations== * Oporoza Ware (House) * Andoni Forum USA (AFUSA) * [[Ijaw Youth Council]] (IYC) * [[Ijaw National Congress]] (INC)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ijaw National Congress|url=https://www.ijawnation.org/ijaw-national-congress/|access-date=2022-02-11|website=Ijaw Nation Forum|language=en}}</ref> * Kabowei Forum * Ijaw Nation Forum (INF) * Ijaw Elders Forum * Ijaw Youth Congress * Congress of Niger Delta Youths * National Union of Izon-Ebe Students * MOSIEND * Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) * [[Tuomo Town|Tuomo Youth Congress]] * Sagbama Youth Movement * Ekine Sekiapu Ogbo * Bomadi Decides * Bayelsa Youths Council * The Ogbia brotherhood *Izon Progressive Congress (IPC) *Ogbinbiri Progressive Movement *Egbema Youths Progressive Agenda *Progressive Youth Leadership Foundation (ND-PYLF) * Ijaw Nation Development Group (Ijaw Peoples Assembly) * Izon Ladies Association (ILA) *Indigenous people of Niger Delta IPND *National Association Of Ogulagha Clan Students (NAOCS) *National Association of Burutu Local Government Students (NABLOGS) Worldwide ==References== {{Reflist}} ===Other sources=== * Human Rights Watch, "Delta Crackdown", May 1999 * Ijaw Youth Movement, letter to "All Managing Directors and Chief Executives of transnational oil companies operating in Ijawland", December 18, 1998 * Project Underground, "Visit the World of Chevron: Niger Delta", 1999 * Kari, Ethelbert Emmanuel. 2004. ''A Reference Grammar of Degema''. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe Verlag. * Hlaváčová, Anna: "Three Points of View of Masquerades among the Ijo of the Niger River Delta". In: ''Playful Performers: African Children's Masquerades''. Ottenberg, S.; Binkley, D. (eds.) ==External links== {{Portal|Nigeria}} *[http://www.ijawworldstudies.com/ ''Ijaw World Studies''] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20180419154911/http://www.ijawdictionaryonline.com/ ''The Ijaw Language Dictionary Online''] *[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_family.asp?subid=2430 ''Ethnologue'': "Ijaw Linguistic Tree"] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060206090831/http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/people/Ijo.html "Ijo People"], University of Iowa *[https://web.archive.org/web/20040515163556/http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/sokari/ American Museum of Natural History: "The Art of the Kalabari Masquerade"] *[https://www.hrw.org/reports/2003/nigeria1103/index.htm "The Warri Crisis: Fueling Violence" – Human Rights Watch report, November 2003] *[http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/02/junger200702 "Blood Oil"] by [[Sebastian Junger]] in ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'', February 2007 (accessed 28/1/2007), deals partly with the Ijaw {{coord|5|21|00|N|5|30|30|E|region:NG-DE_type:city|display=title}} {{Ethnic groups in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ijaw People}} [[Category:Ijaw people| ]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in Nigeria]] [[Category:Fossil fuels in Nigeria]] [[Category:History of Nigeria]] [[Category:Indigenous peoples of the Niger Delta]]'