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59-662: Uromi is a city located in north-eastern Esan , a sub -ethnic group of the Edo people in Edo state , Nigeria . At various points in Uromi's history, the city and people have been known for their resilience and strength. The people of Uromi, led by Agba N'Ojie resisted the Benin Empire expansionism during the reign of Oba Ozolua. They were also at the forefront of the resistance of the British invasion of Esanland. Uromi, originally known as 'Uronmun',

118-446: A Councillor who represents it at its local council election who is normally tenured for four years. The Uromi kingdom is a monarchical territory headed by a king (Onojie) who handles the leadership of the kingdom. The leadership in the Uromi kingdom is a hereditary monarchy system. The king is the monarch who rules with the body of chiefs who assist the king in the leadership of the kingdom. The different villages of Uromi are led by

177-596: A common culture and the Esan language . The Esan are traditionally known to be agriculturalists, trado-medical practitioners, mercenary warriors and hunters . They cultivate palm trees , Irvingia gabonensis (erhonhiele), Cherry (Otien), bell pepper (akoh) coconut , betel nut, kola nut , black pear, avocado pear , yams , cocoyam , cassava , maize , rice , beans , groundnut , bananas , oranges , plantains , sugar cane , tomato , potato , okra , pineapple , paw paw , and various vegetables. The modern Esan nation

236-531: A daily basis. In Eguare, there are many business offices both in the government-owned business sector and in the privately owned business sectors. Some examples of financial businesses include the Union Bank , United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria , Unity Bank , Zenith Bank, EcoBank, Fidelity Bank, Uromi Community Bank, and other monetary firms like the Uromi Microfinance Bank, etc. Uromi

295-627: A good number of markets that provide opportunities for local farmers to trade their farm products. The Uromi Main Market has good, portable lock-up stores. Although officially market day is held at four-day intervals, the Uromi Main Market operates daily from morning to late evening. Across Uromi, there may be up to three markets in each village, with some village markets functioning at four-day intervals, while others trade every day. Apart from farming and trading, other business transactions take place on

354-447: A society where beauty and manners are intertwined. Despite the long-term impact of Christianity, the Esan are largely traditional and a large number practice traditional beliefs in the form of worship of ancestral spirits and other gods. A large percentage of Esan are Christians, mostly Catholic and recently of other denominations. Esan has various dialects all of which stem from Bini and there

413-551: A way that eguares , or cities, were headed by enijies , singular onojie . Eguares were subdivided into villages, which were subdivided into idumu or quarters. Villages and idumu are headed by the oldest man in said village/ idumu , the edionwele (plural odionwere ). Esanland has an area of 2814.347 km² . It is dominated by the Ishan-Asaba Plateau in Midwestern Nigeria. This plateau

472-416: Is a strong Esan diaspora. The term Esan has been applied to the Esan people for hundreds of years, and was used before contact with Europeans . It is believed by many historians that the name 'Esan' (originally, 'E san fia') owes its origin to Benin (meaning, 'they have fled' or 'they jumped away'). 'Ishan' is an Anglicized form of 'Esan', the result of colonial Britain's inability to properly pronounce

531-622: Is because originally the Esans hails from the Benin Kingdom. Esan religion has so many deities, which among them are: Osanobua: which actually is the main and really Edo-Esan god. This name was adopted into Christianity as God, and thus the meaning and the translation for God in Esanland is Osanobua. Eshu: This is the Esan trickster god. This god is related with the Yoruba and Edo myth. This name "Eshu"

590-801: Is believed to have been organized during the 15th century, when citizens, mostly nobles and princess, left the neighbouring Benin Empire for the northeast; there they formed communities and kingdoms called eguares among the aboriginal peoples whom they met there There are on the whole 35 established kingdoms in Esanland , including Amahor, Ebelle , Egoro, Ewohimi , Ekekhenlen, Ekpoma , Ekpon , Emu, Ewu , Ewato, Ewosa, Idoa , Ifeku, Igueben , Ilushi, Inyelen, Irrua , Ogwa , Ohordua , Okalo, Okhuesan, Onogholo, Opoji, Oria, Orowa, Uromi , Udo, Ugbegun, Ugboha , Ubiaja , Urhohi, Ugun , Ujiogba , Ukhun, and Uzea. The Esan Kingdoms often warred among each other. Despite

649-552: Is down to 75 mm (3 inches) and in January as low as 35 mm (1.5 inches). The main dry season is accompanied by harmattan winds from the Sahara Desert , which between December and early February can be quite strong. The average temperature in January is 27 °C (79 °F) and for July it is 25 °C (77 °F). On average the hottest month is March; with a mean temperature of 29 °C (84 °F); while July

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708-690: Is home to the Institute of Construction Technology and Management (NICTM) situated on Uromi-Ugboha Road. The NICTM provides a wide range of courses, including Computer Science and Civil Engineering. Additionally, Uromi is also host to the Uromi Technical College located in Onewa Village. Uromi traditional religion has many similarities to the Bini traditional religion, even though Westernization has caused Christianity and Islamic influence. And of course, this

767-406: Is made up of seven villages, namely: The seven villages have the responsibility of crowning a new king. A large percentage of the economy of Uromi is derived from local farming and trading, with some contribution from the government's budget. Uromi's productive farm output is mainly the result of its situation in a rain forest zone, its loamy soil type and its topography . Uromi also has

826-520: Is performed every two weeks of the Esan calendar and on the market days of the various villages and towns that make up Esan. Igbabonelimhin could be danced annually to mark end of year celebrations, new yam festivals and organised social functions, like burial ceremonies. Today, the dance is taken as a unique symbol for Esans everywhere. Esan folktales and folklore, like the igbabonẹlimhin and akhuẹ , serve as forms of learning and entertainment . The Esan have prominent traditional rulers who keep order in

885-462: Is still close affinity between the Esan and the Benin people , which led to the common saying "Esan ii gbi Ẹdo" meaning, Esan does not harm the Ẹdo (i.e. Bini). There have been other translation of that saying, Esan gbe Edo which means Esan have conquered Bini. Traditional Esan religion has many similarities to traditional Edo religion, due to the Esan migration to the northeast during the 15th century from

944-539: Is the coolest month . Uromi is not a municipality and has therefore no overall city administration or governance but instead, it is run by the Local government council headed by a Chairman. Uromi is not a local government but is the seat of the local government council governing the Esan North-East local government area. The administration of the government of Uromi is divided into eleven (11) wards. Each ward delegates

1003-469: Is the most populated area in Esanland , settled by several waves of people. The first wave consisted of the aborigines who were believed to have settled in the various autonomous villages, from the present day central Nigeria. These settlements date as far back as 100 AD. The villages had a system of gerontocracy where the eldest man was the head. Then other migrants poured in from various places in present day Esanland, Ifeku Island and Benin. The Kingdom itself

1062-526: The Benin Empire . There are many deities of the Esan religion: The autonomous clans/kingdoms in Esan land are currently administratively arranged as follows under the current five local government areas: General Mythology Art Esanland Esanland has been inhabited since the late Iron Age , by hunter-gatherers from the Nok culture . The hunter gatherers formed a society in northern Esanland until

1121-643: The Esan language , an Edoid language related to Edo , Urhobo , Owan language, Isoko , Anioma and Etsako. It is considered a regionally important language in Nigeria , and it is taught in primary schools in addition to being broadcast on radio and television. The Esan language is also recognized in the Census of the United Kingdom . It is estimated that the Esan people who reside in Esanland number about one million to 1.5 million citizens Nigeria, and there

1180-556: The Portuguese brought modern innovations such as Dane guns and spoons , and new crops. Independent rule in Esanland continued into the 1800s, until the British claimed the entire region for the Royal Niger Company as part of the colony Nigeria . Local opposition to the conquest was vocal, and enijie such as King Ogbidi Okojie of Uromi banded together their soldiers in an unsuccessful attempt to fight British rule. After

1239-450: The festivals known as OTO-UROMI and briefly on Amukpe. As the name implies, Oto-Uromi (Uromi land) is celebrated in the month of July or early August. This celebration is done to appease the land of Uromi in order for good harvest. The date for this festival is always a market day, fixed by the Onojie of Uromi who acts on the advice of his Chiefs. The people are given a notice of 15 days after

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1298-525: The war , the Esans kept a homogenous culture that was chiefly influenced by the Benin Empire. However, these kingdoms were colonized , along with the Benin Empire , by the British Empire during September 1897, only gaining independence 63 years later in 1960 when Nigeria became independent from British Colonial rule. After independence, the Esan people have suffered from civil war , poverty , and lack of infrastructure. The Esans primarily speak

1357-671: The 12th century. In the 15th century, indigenes from the Great Benin Empire moved to Esanland and renewed Edo-Esan cultural bonds as the Benin were the Royal blood and Emperor controlling the Southern Hemisphere. Esan nations often worked either in tandem or subordination towards the Benin Empire, sending soldiers to the Benin army and treating their rulers as dukes to the Oba of Benin. Trade with

1416-584: The 16th century, the Uzea War occurred. This war was between the Uromi Kingdom and the Benin Kingdom. The war lasted from 1502 to 1503, and resulted from a refusal of friendship from Oba Ozolua of Benin by Onojie Agba of Uromi. The war ended at the town of Uzea, when both leaders were killed. However, in peaceful times Esan kingdoms would loan soldiers to the Benin Kingdom, such as during the Idah War of 1515-1516, and

1475-426: The 16th century, the Uzea War occurred. This war was between the Uromi Kingdom and the Benin Kingdom. The war lasted from 1502 to 1503, and resulted from a refusal of friendship from Oba Ozolua of Benin by Onojie Agba of Uromi. The war ended at the town of Uzea, when both leaders were killed. However, in peaceful times Esan kingdoms would loan soldiers to the Benin Kingdom, such as during the Idah War of 1515–1516, and

1534-476: The British camp at Okueme, on April 29. This led British forces to retreat, consolidate their power, and kill Ologbosere in May. Subsequent attempts by the British failed as well: conquests into Irrua, for example, led to an adoption of a guerrilla warfare strategy followed by a retreat; this method was so successful that other Esan kingdoms adopted it and the British did not invade Esanland until 1901. On March 16, 1901,

1593-471: The British did not invade Esanland until 1901. On 16 March 1901, the Kingdom of Uromi , headed by the old, yet intelligent Onojie Okolo, was attacked by the British. The Uromi response, led by Prince Okojie , was swift and employed guerrilla warfare. After a short time, British forces captured the village of Amedokhian, where Okolo was stationed, and killed him. This angered Prince Okojie so much that he killed

1652-459: The British takeover, independence movements sprung up. Leaders in Esanland such as Anthony Enahoro successfully campaigned for independence, which was granted to the whole of Nigeria. Since independence, Esanland has suffered from poor infrastructure and an attempted takeover in the Nigerian Civil War by Biafra . Esanland originates from the term " E san fia ", meaning they have fled in

1711-457: The British. Even when villages were conquered, internal resistance was fierce: continued guerilla warfare in Uromi forced the British to release Prince Okojie. However, excessive cruelty on Britain's part razed many villages and displaced many people. Finally, in 1906, Esanland submitted to British rule , and the thirty-four kingdoms became the Ishan Division.. Esan kingdoms were structured in

1770-531: The Captain of the British troops before reinforcements were brought in. The British then realized that Uromi was nigh impenetrable without native help, and contact local sympathizers such as Onokpogua, the Ezomo of Uromi. This succeeded in kidnapping Prince Okojie out of the forest and sending him to the British offices at Calabar. This process was duplicated in most of the kingdoms that fought with Britain; guerilla warfare

1829-820: The Edo language (Esan), referring to the flight of refugees from the Benin Empire to the surrounding forest that makes up the original Esans. According to archaeological and linguistic evidence, humans have resided in the savannah-forest ecotone in Esanland for at least 3000 years. These people were likely associated with the Nok people and came from the savannahs in the north to the southern forests. To this day, northern Esan dialects have more in common with Northern Edo languages such as Etsako and Owan than southern Esan dialects do, which happen to be closely related with Edo . These "proto-Edoid" peoples grew yam, oil palm and vegetables, but also hunted and gathered. Starting from 500 AD to 750 AD, these hunter-gatherers started to colonize

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1888-471: The Elders of the individual villages who are responsible to the king. The council of Elders are headed by an indigenous elderly man who by birth is eldest among all the male indigenes. The council of elders have their own legislative authority and so are able to mete out punishment to offenders within their designation. Esan people Esan people , or Esans , are an Edoid-speaking ethnic group who share

1947-761: The English demanded palm-products. In 1897, the British launched the Benin Expedition of 1897 , which left the Esan independent from the Kingdom of Benin . In 1899, the British led an invasion into the Esan kingdoms that lasted for seven years. Esanland proved to be harder to conquer than the Benin Kingdom because of its strong autonomy: Kingdoms chose to keep fighting the British even if its neighbors capitulated. Defeated Benin chiefs like Ologbosere and Ebohon were still resistant to British rule inadvertently guarded Esan soil from

2006-419: The English demanded palm-products. In 1897, the British sacked the Benin Empire, effectively leaving the Esans free from British rule. In 1899, the British led an invasion into the Esan kingdoms that lasted for seven years. Esanland chose to keep fighting the British even if its neighbors fell. Fallen Benin chiefs like Ologbosere and Ebohon were still resistant to British rule inadvertently guarded Esan soil from

2065-461: The Kingdom of Uromi, headed by the old, yet intelligent Onojie Okolo, was attacked by the British. The Uromi resistance, led by Prince Okojie , was swift and employed guerrilla warfare. After a short time, British forces overtook the village Amedeokhian, where Okolo was stationed, and murdered him. This angered Prince Okojie so much that he killed the Captain of the British troops before reinforcements were brought in. The British then realized that Uromi

2124-469: The announcement of the date for the purpose of preparation. It is a custom that no one goes to the farm on the day of celebration. The ceremony is performed on a chosen spot by Iwienbola people. To appease the land or the soil, these items are brought; Four sticks of chalk, four kola-nuts, cowries, ripe pumpkin and a dog. The people merry, sharing gifts among themselves, most especially, in every home, women send gift to their husbands for giving them portion of

2183-595: The farm for the year. After the festival, the Onojie of Uromi summons his elders and chiefs and through them appreciates the people for making the celebration a success. Another festival celebrated in Uromi is the Amukpe festival which is celebrated yearly during the month of August. It is always a day celebration which is meant to usher in new yams. The city of Uromi lies in north-eastern Esan in Edo State , Nigeria , located on longitude 3° 24' E and latitude 6° 27' N. Almost

2242-442: The kingdom became bogged down, the kingdom of Ekpon led an ambush of the British camp at Okueme, on 29 April. This led British forces to retreat, consolidate their power, and defeat and kill Ologbosere in May. Subsequent attempts by the British failed as well: conquests into Irrua, for example, led to an adoption of a guerrilla warfare strategy followed by a retreat; this method was so successful that other Esan kingdoms adopted it and

2301-519: The kingdom to Esanland. This exodus shaped Esanland's modern cultural identity and gave rise to the term "Esan," or "refugee." Oral tradition has heavily supported this theory. Prominent Esan and Edo historians have collected stories about this migration. Esan kingdoms had a varying degree of autonomy, but were ultimately controlled by the Benin Empire. The Oba approved the enijie of Esanland, and Esan kingdoms paid tribute to Benin. Yet, several wars between Esan kingdoms and Benin were recorded. This

2360-517: The kingdom to Esanland. This exodus shaped Esanland's modern cultural identity and gave rise to the term "Esan," or "refugee." Oral tradition has heavily supported this theory. Prominent Esan and Edo historians have collected stories about this migration. Esan kingdoms had a varying degree of autonomy, but were ultimately controlled by the Benin Empire. The Oba approved the enijie of Esanland, and Esan kingdoms paid tribute to Benin. Yet, several wars between Esan kingdoms and Benin were recorded. This

2419-457: The name of this ethnic group. It is believed that similar corruption has affected such Esan names as ubhẹkhẹ (now 'obeche' tree), uloko (now 'iroko' tree), Abhulimẹn (now 'Aburime'), etc. Efforts have however been made to return to status quo ante. For academic purposes, Esan refers to: In the pre-colonial era, Esans carried a crow's foot tribal scar below their eyes. According to archaeological and linguistic evidence, humans have resided in

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2478-580: The north came the Emai into Ukhun , Idoa , and Amahor and the Etsako into Irrua ; and from the south came the Itsekiri (into Ekpon) and Urhobo (into Ujiogba). The biggest influence on Esanland came from the Benin Empire. In 1460, Oba Ewuare passed laws of mourning that prohibited sexual intercourse, bathing, drumming, dancing, and cooking. These laws proved too restrictive for many citizens, and these citizens fled

2537-446: The north came the Emai into Ukhun, Idoa, and Amahor and the Etsako into Irrua); and from the south came the Itsekiri (into Ekpon) and Urhobo (into Ujiogba). The biggest influence on Esanland came from Edo, founders of Benin Empire. In 1460, Oba Ewuare passed laws of mourning that prohibited sexual intercourse, bathing, drumming, dancing, and cooking. These laws proved too restrictive for many citizens, and these citizens fled

2596-500: The region have found that these walls were situated in the eastern Benin Empire and northern Esanland. Settlements were close to permanent springs on the northern plateau, but never next to intermittent springs. Esanland's culture, language and growth were majorly influenced by the mass exoduses to Esan territory from all adjacent polities Communities on Esanland's southern and eastern fringes (Ewohimi, Ewatto, Ekpon, Amahor) were heavily populated by Igbos and Igalas (into Uroh); from

2655-502: The region have found that these walls were situated in the eastern Benin Empire and northern Esanland. Settlements were close to permanent springs on the northern plateau, but never next to intermittent springs. Esanland's culture, language and growth were majorly influenced by the mass exoduses to Esan territory from all adjacent polities Communities on Esanland's southern and eastern fringes (Ewohimi, Ewatto, Ekpon, Amahor) were heavily populated by Igbos and Igalas (into Uroh); from

2714-708: The sacking of Akure in 1823. During the nineteenth century, northern Esanland was continually attacked and sacked by the Muslim Nupe people in the hunt for slaves and converts to Islam, having previously taken over the Kukuruku peoples ' lands. Many Esan kingdoms from the south helped in the battle to fend off the Nupes. The battles came into the Esans' favor; several Nupe and Etsako warriors were brought into Esan cities where their posterity reside today. The nineteenth century brought increasing influence of Europe on Esanland , as

2773-597: The sacking of Akure in 1823. During the nineteenth century, northern Esanland was continually attacked and sacked by the Muslim Nupe people in the hunt for slaves and converts to Islam, having previously taken over the Kukuruku peoples ’ lands. Many Esan kingdoms from the south helped in the battle to fend off the Nupes. The battles came into the Esans’ favor; several Nupe and Etsako warriors were brought into Esan cities where their posterity reside today. The nineteenth century brought increasing influence of Europe on Esanland, as

2832-477: The savannah-forest ecosystem of Esanland and the forest ecosystem of the Benin Empire. They created a pre-Esan, pre-Edo society that built advanced structures such as moats and walls around family properties. These enclosures were, at maximum, three to five kilometers in diameter, and demarcated residential and agricultural property. Those properties enlarged to become villages, and by 800 AD, these village coalesced to form kingdoms with hierarchies. Modern-day digs in

2891-684: The savannah-forest ecotone in Esanland for at least 3000 years ago. Starting from 500 CE to 750 CE, these hunter-gatherers started to colonize the savannah-forest ecosystem of Esanland and the forest ecosystem of the Benin Empire. They created a pre-Esan, pre-Edo society that built advanced structures such as moats and walls around family properties. These enclosures were, at maximum, three to five kilometers in diameter, and demarcated residential and agricultural property. Those properties enlarged to become villages, and by 800 CE, these village coalesced to form kingdoms with hierarchies. Modern-day digs in

2950-520: The thirty-four kingdoms became the Ishan Division in the British colony of Nigeria . Esan dance is dominated by the Igbabonelimhin , an acrobatic dance performed mostly by young males. Igbabonelimhin involves spinning and somersaulting to a timed beat. The mode of operation varies amongst Esan villages. This slight clash can be seen on fixed days for performances. Under normal circumstances, Igbabonelimhin

3009-433: The west, by establishing military camps and blocking roads. This lasted from 1897 to April 22. 1899, where Ologbosere surrendered at the border village of Okemue. The first kingdom to be attacked by the British was the Kingdom of Ekpon. Ekpon launched a fierce resistance against the British invasion on April 22, which nearly destroyed the kingdom. After the near genocide of Esans at Ekpon, the kingdom of Ekpon led an ambush of

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3068-418: The west, by establishing military outposts and blocking roads. This lasted from 1897 to 22 April 1899, where Ologbosere surrendered at the border village of Okemue. The first kingdom to be attacked by the British was the Kingdom of Ekpon . Ekpon launched a fierce resistance against the British invasion on 22 April, leading to months of skirmishes. After the initial British invasion into the Kingdom of Ekpon,

3127-571: The whole of the city is covered with land. The climate in Uromi is similar to that of the rest of southern Nigeria. There are two rainy seasons, with the heaviest rains falling from April to July and a weaker rainy season in October and November. There is a brief relatively dry spell in August and September and a longer dry season from December to March. Monthly rainfall between May and July averages over 300 mm (12 in), while in August and September it

3186-564: Was also adopted into the Western religion, which is translated as Satan by Christian missionaries. Osun: This is the Esan god of medicine. This god can also be said to be related to the Yoruba deity (known as Osun ). This is where the surname " Olokun " known as the "son of medicine" originated from. Talking about Uromi, we must mention some of the traditional festivals with the knowledge that Uromi people value their tradition so much. Speaking on one of

3245-701: Was due to the Oba, at ascension on the throne, sending white chalk to the Esans as a term of friendship. If the chalk was rejected, then the Oba would try to invade Esanland. The varying political stabilities of Benin and the Esan kingdoms also led to warfare. Such warfare was so common that there is no recorded history of peace between all of the Esan kingdoms and Benin. Esanland was extensively involved in world trade. Benin's sovereignty over Esanland enabled it to send long-distant traders, or ekhen. Ekhen procured cloth, ivory, peppers, and slaves for European merchants in Yorubaland , Esanland, and Afenmai . . During

3304-746: Was due to the Oba, at ascension on the throne, sending white chalk to the Esans as a term of friendship. If the chalk was rejected, then the Oba would try to invade Esanland. The varying political stabilities of Benin and the Esan kingdoms also led to warfare. Such warfare was so common that there is no recorded history of peace between all of the Esan kingdoms and Benin. Esanland was extensively involved in world trade. Benin's sovereignty over Esanland enabled it to send long-distant traders, or ekhen . Ekhen procured cloth, ivory, peppers and resources. Portugal primarily received blue cloth, or ukpon ododo from Esanland in exchange for tobacco, brandy, mirror, beads, and firearms, primarily through ekhen . During

3363-471: Was excessively used by the Esans, resulting in prolonged battle time in spite of inferior weapons, and reinforcements from Benin City for the British. Even when villages were captured, internal resistance was fierce; continued guerilla warfare in Uromi forced the British to release Prince Okojie. The British responded by razing several villages they had captured. Finally, in 1906, Esanland submitted to British rule, and

3422-465: Was formed by around the 1100 AD to 1200 AD. The Kingdom is headed by a King who is known as Onojie in Esan language. The present King of the town is HRH, the Ojiuromi (Ojie Uromi) Anslem Okojie Aidenojie II. Uromi is a conurbation of villages divided into three groups, recognized as Okhiode, Obiruan and Obiyon. Consisting of: Consisting of: Consisting of: Eguare, the seat of the Onojie of Uromi,

3481-458: Was nigh impenetrable without native help, and contact local sympathizers such as Onokpogua, the Ezomo of Uromi. This succeeded in napping Prince Okojie out of the forest and deported to the British offices at Calabar. This process was duplicated in most of the kingdoms that fought with Britain: guerilla warfare was excessively used by the Esans, resulting in prolonged battle time in spite of inferior weapons, and reinforcements from Benin City for

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