Obolo people

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Andoni
Obolo
Total population
3,000,000
Regions with significant populations
Rivers State & Akwa Ibom State
Languages
Obolo
Related ethnic groups
Ijaw, Oron, Ibeno, Ido and Ohafia

The Obolo people[1] also known as Andoni[2] or Doni, are a multi-ethnic group in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.[3][4] Obolo people are primarily found in Rivers State and Akwa Ibom State, however, they are also are present in the states of Bayelsa, Cross River, Abia, and Enugu.[5]

The Obolos occupy the longest stretch of the Cross River Basin of the Niger Delta mangroves belt, which also houses the largest oil and gas deposits in the Gulf of Guinea.[6][citation needed]

Obolo bell (cast) made of bronze dated 12th–16th century collected from Agwut-Obolo in 1904 by Captain A.A. Whitehouse, currently[when?] on display in the British Museum.

History and origin

The documentation of the origin and the migration of the Obolo people is sparse and fragmented. The earliest data on Obolo migration is from around 12th century BC.

Obolo people (Andoni, Idoni or Indo) existed before the

Nkoro, and Ibono people in what is now Ibeno, as well as with the Okoro-utip and Mkpanak people of Ibeno.[clarification needed] In the past, the Obolo people frequently fought wars with the Kingdom of Bonny and the Ogoni people,[7] though they generally maintain good relations with the latter.[8] The Obolo people have migrated and settled in various parts of Niger Delta and West Africa
at large.

1904 British expedition

Prior to the

national deity
called Yok-Obolo, the founder and spiritual head of the Obolo people, said to have been elevated to a god status upon death.

Sao Tome and Brazil to him to act as ministers. The king of Dony Town also spoke Portuguese.[9] Nonetheless, the Yok-Obolo was still feared among neighboring tribes, who spread rumors of their ferocity in battle even to the British.[10]

In 1869, King Jaja had to take an oath of allegiance to the Yok-Obolo before he was allowed to establish his new town Opobo (1870) in the Andoni territory.[citation needed] This was against the wishes of Bishop Ajayi Crowther, who lamented that King Jaja was entering the "Heart of Darkness" when he came to Obolo in 1869 for treaty negotiations with the Obolos.[citation needed]

In response to the stories about the Obolo, British colonial authorities decided to send a punitive expedition against them in 1904. The expedition was led by Captain A.A. Whitehouse, with the aim of destroying Obolo as a political entity and reducing their influence among neighboring tribes in the Niger Delta. [citation needed] Upon arrival, Whitehouse and his military team went straight to Alabie Town (Agwut-Obolo), burned, and destroyed the high altar of the deity of the Obolo monarchy, Yok-Obolo, and the site of the House of Skulls with over 2000 skulls of Obolo enemies killed in wars.[citation needed]

After destroying the House of Skulls and the Shrine of Yok-Obolo, the British split Andoni into six parts, each attached to one of the six Native Courts in the Niger Delta, hoping to destroy the Obolo politically. [citation needed] Some of the bronze arts and crafts collected by the British during this expedition are still on display in the British Museum.[11]

Language

The Obolo people speak the Obolo language.[12]The Obolo language contributes to the identity of the people of Andoni and Eastern Obolo. It is one of the 535 languages in Nigeria and belongs to the Lower Cross River language sub-branch of the Delta Cross branches of the Eastern Division of South Central Niger Congo language family.

Traditions

The Nwantam masquerade, celebrated every year on January 1, is among the highlights of Obolo festivities, which they share with the

Nkoro, and Bonny. Their ancient practices include a writing system known as nsibidi
.

The annual fishing festival Ijok-Irin, celebrated every 5th of July, is unique to the people of Unyeada Kingdom,[13] and marks the end of the annual traditional fishing season between

net casting (Ogbo-njin) competition. This ancient, elaborately choreographed fishing method is peculiar to Unyeada people, and features net casting fishermen arranged in two opposite rows of 30 canoes or more. When a whistle-blower signals, the paddling of the canoes from the opposite direction drives schools of fish into the middle, before the fishermen cast their nets in synchronization, ensuring a large catch. In recent years, the festival has been rebranded to increase its potential for ecotourism.[citation needed
]

Present day

Obolo people follow Christianity and most parts have fully incorporated it into their culture while some still worship local god/gods.[citation needed
]

Economy

Obolo territory, which spans from the

Bight of Bonny in Rivers State, has significant natural resources. Much of Nigeria's oil and gas revenue comes from the Obolo land.[14]

Notable people

References

  1. ISSN 1469-5138
    .
  2. ISSN 2070-0083
    .
  3. ^ Atainyang, Joseph (13 June 2021). "Calabar, Obolo States creation feature at House of Reps public hearing". National News Track. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  4. S2CID 218558138
    .
  5. S2CID 242414735
    .
  6. S2CID 218558138
    .
  7. ^ Gazette, Fatherland (13 September 2019). "The Andoni/Obolo People". Fatherland Gazette. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  8. S2CID 154501414
    .
  9. S2CID 154501414
    .
  10. S2CID 154501414
    .
  11. ^ "1904 British Punitive Expedition Against Obolo (Andoni) People and their god". Nairaland.
  12. ^ Says, Cách Sử Dụng Sữa Béo Nga (13 September 2019). "The Andoni/Obolo People". Fatherland Gazette. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  13. ^ Afolabi, Oluwaseun (23 January 2021). "People and Culture of Nigeria: The Obolo Tribe". Fatherland Gazette. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Nigeria's oil-rich communities abandoned in shocking poverty despite huge wealth". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
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