All
The People
Their Language
Their Culture
Their Origin
Their Beliefs
Their Festivals
Birth, Marriage & Death
The Isoko People
Are a unique and distinct ethnic group in Delta State of Nigeria and are predominately within the two local govermonet areas of Isoko North and Isoko South in Delta state. The Isoko ethnic group is made p of more than twenty 920) clans with a total population of more than 700,000 people.
Isoko located in the south east of Delta State of Nigeria, with Urobos to the West, Kwale to the North, Aboh to the East and Ijaws to the South.
Based on oral tradition, the first group of Isoko ancestors migrated to the region of Delta State, which the Isoko people now occupy, from Benin. It is said that the ancestors this first group were Erowa (the senior) Uzere, and Okpe.The second group, as stated by oral tradition, left Benin during the reign of Oba Ozolua. And according to history, Oba Ozolua ruled Benin from 1483 until 1514.
It was during this time that the ancestors of Iyede led the second group out of Benin.Specifically, the fifteenth and sixteenth century can be said to be an era of migration in the Benin Kingdom. It was during this period that the Isokos, Urhobos, and the royal house of Itsekiri, left the great kingdom to the various regions they now occupy.
However, there would be further migrations by sub-groups within the first and second group. And in some cases, it was children moving from parental settlement to virgin lands.Thus the ancestors of Effurun- Otor in Ughelli Local Government Area came from Erowa in Isoko South LGA, while Effurun in Uvwie clan migrated from Effurun- Otor.
Ekpan and Ugborikoko would move from Effurun to settle in their present sites.Irri would move from Uzere to its present location; while Oleh would move from Irri: This could easily explain the nearness between the two towns.It is said that Agbon clan in Ethiope East LGA migrated from Irri: Agbon consists of Kokori, Okpara, (Inland and waterside) and Eku towns.
In the same spirit of migration, Okpe in Urhobo migrated from Okpe-Isoko alongside Ozoro. But while Ozoro settled in her present location, Okpe would further move to where is now known as Orerokpe.Who knows if this is the reason why the Okpes have refused to identify themselves as Urhobo?
Be that as it may, Emevor and Owhe is said to have migrated from Iyede. And this could be believed with ease as they are adjacent to each other.It is also said that Ibrede and Iyede- Ame in Ndokwa Local Government Area are direct descendants of Iyede. And Ellu, Aradhe, and Ovrode are descendants of Owhe.
The ancestors of Ofagbe, a town cited between Ovrode and Okpe-Isoko, were said to have migrated from the latter.Like Erowa, Uzere, and Okpe, the ancestors of Aviara is said to have migrated from Benin and came to its present settlement through the River Niger.
However, of all the clans in Isoko, Olomoro in Isoko South Local Government Area is said to be the only clan to have migrated from Uhrobo, in Olomu.The ancestors of Igbide and Enhwe are the only exceptions to all other Isoko ancestors that did not come from Benin.It is said that they came from the East of the River Niger, a location spanning through present day Anambra, Bayelsa, and Rivers states.
The Isoko Language
The Isoko Language is a very rich distinguishing phonetic expression. The Language date back to a time before the actual migration to the current ancestral home location. Within the Isoko Land, there are different dialects of the Isoko Land spoken in the various Isoko villages and towns.
The history of the Isoko Language can be traced to the ancient city of the Benin Kingdom, where the Ancestors of the Isoko people migrated from.
Some Isoko ethnic group migrated to Bayelsal State within the Ijaws and also to Kwale. The Ibrede commonunity in Ndokwa Local government area are migrant Isoko people.The two predominate Local Government Areas are located in southern Nigeria around the northwestern side of Niger Delta. These Local Government Areas are part of Delta State, which was carved out of Bendel State in 1991 along with Edo State. Bendel State was formerly part of the Mid-Western Region formed in 1967.
The language spoken in Isokoland is called Isoko, but many communities and clans have different dialects and various of the Isoko language. The Urhobos are a sister community to the Isokos.
Are a unique and distinct ethnic group in Delta State of Nigeria and are predominately within the two local govermonet areas of Isoko North and Isoko South in Delta state. The Isoko ethnic group is made p of more than twenty 920) clans with a total population of more than 700,000 people.
Isoko located in the south east of Delta State of Nigeria, with Urobos to the West, Kwale to the North, Aboh to the East and Ijaws to the South.
Some Isoko ethnic group migrated to Bayelsal State within the Ijaws and also to Kwale. The Ibrede commonunity in Ndokwa Local government area are migrant Isoko people.The two predominate Local Government Areas are located in southern Nigeria around the northwestern side of Niger Delta. These Local Government Areas are part of Delta State, which was carved out of Bendel State in 1991 along with Edo State. Bendel State was formerly part of the Mid-Western Region formed in 1967.
The language spoken in Isokoland is called Isoko, but many communities and clans have different dialects and various of the Isoko language. The Urhobos are a sister community to the Isokos.
The Isoko Culture
Are a unique and distinct ethnic group in Delta State of Nigeria and are predominately within the two local govermonet areas of Isoko North and Isoko South in Delta state. The Isoko ethnic group is made p of more than twenty 920) clans with a total population of more than 700,000 people.
Isoko located in the south east of Delta State of Nigeria, with Urobos to the West, Kwale to the North, Aboh to the East and Ijaws to the South.
Some Isoko ethnic group migrated to Bayelsal State within the Ijaws and also to Kwale. The Ibrede commonunity in Ndokwa Local government area are migrant Isoko people.The two predominate Local Government Areas are located in southern Nigeria around the northwestern side of Niger Delta. These Local Government Areas are part of Delta State, which was carved out of Bendel State in 1991 along with Edo State. Bendel State was formerly part of the Mid-Western Region formed in 1967.
The language spoken in Isokoland is called Isoko, but many communities and clans have different dialects and various of the Isoko language. The Urhobos are a sister community to the Isokos.
Are a unique and distinct ethnic group in Delta State of Nigeria and are predominately within the two local govermonet areas of Isoko North and Isoko South in Delta state. The Isoko ethnic group is made p of more than twenty 920) clans with a total population of more than 700,000 people.
Isoko located in the south east of Delta State of Nigeria, with Urobos to the West, Kwale to the North, Aboh to the East and Ijaws to the South.
Some Isoko ethnic group migrated to Bayelsal State within the Ijaws and also to Kwale. The Ibrede commonunity in Ndokwa Local government area are migrant Isoko people.The two predominate Local Government Areas are located in southern Nigeria around the northwestern side of Niger Delta. These Local Government Areas are part of Delta State, which was carved out of Bendel State in 1991 along with Edo State. Bendel State was formerly part of the Mid-Western Region formed in 1967.
The language spoken in Isokoland is called Isoko, but many communities and clans have different dialects and various of the Isoko language. The Urhobos are a sister community to the Isokos.
The Isoko Origin
Are a unique and distinct ethnic group in Delta State of Nigeria and are predominately within the two local govermonet areas of Isoko North and Isoko South in Delta state. The Isoko ethnic group is made p of more than twenty 920) clans with a total population of more than 700,000 people.
Isoko located in the south east of Delta State of Nigeria, with Urobos to the West, Kwale to the North, Aboh to the East and Ijaws to the South.
Some Isoko ethnic group migrated to Bayelsal State within the Ijaws and also to Kwale. The Ibrede commonunity in Ndokwa Local government area are migrant Isoko people.The two predominate Local Government Areas are located in southern Nigeria around the northwestern side of Niger Delta. These Local Government Areas are part of Delta State, which was carved out of Bendel State in 1991 along with Edo State. Bendel State was formerly part of the Mid-Western Region formed in 1967.
The language spoken in Isokoland is called Isoko, but many communities and clans have different dialects and various of the Isoko language. The Urhobos are a sister community to the Isokos.
Are a unique and distinct ethnic group in Delta State of Nigeria and are predominately within the two local govermonet areas of Isoko North and Isoko South in Delta state. The Isoko ethnic group is made p of more than twenty 920) clans with a total population of more than 700,000 people.
Isoko located in the south east of Delta State of Nigeria, with Urobos to the West, Kwale to the North, Aboh to the East and Ijaws to the South.
Some Isoko ethnic group migrated to Bayelsal State within the Ijaws and also to Kwale. The Ibrede commonunity in Ndokwa Local government area are migrant Isoko people.The two predominate Local Government Areas are located in southern Nigeria around the northwestern side of Niger Delta. These Local Government Areas are part of Delta State, which was carved out of Bendel State in 1991 along with Edo State. Bendel State was formerly part of the Mid-Western Region formed in 1967.
The language spoken in Isokoland is called Isoko, but many communities and clans have different dialects and various of the Isoko language. The Urhobos are a sister community to the Isokos.
The IsokoReligion & Beliefs
Are a unique and distinct ethnic group in Delta State of Nigeria and are predominately within the two local govermonet areas of Isoko North and Isoko South in Delta state. The Isoko ethnic group is made p of more than twenty 920) clans with a total population of more than 700,000 people.
Isoko located in the south east of Delta State of Nigeria, with Urobos to the West, Kwale to the North, Aboh to the East and Ijaws to the South.
Some Isoko ethnic group migrated to Bayelsal State within the Ijaws and also to Kwale. The Ibrede commonunity in Ndokwa Local government area are migrant Isoko people.The two predominate Local Government Areas are located in southern Nigeria around the northwestern side of Niger Delta. These Local Government Areas are part of Delta State, which was carved out of Bendel State in 1991 along with Edo State. Bendel State was formerly part of the Mid-Western Region formed in 1967.
The language spoken in Isokoland is called Isoko, but many communities and clans have different dialects and various of the Isoko language. The Urhobos are a sister community to the Isokos.
Are a unique and distinct ethnic group in Delta State of Nigeria and are predominately within the two local govermonet areas of Isoko North and Isoko South in Delta state. The Isoko ethnic group is made p of more than twenty 920) clans with a total population of more than 700,000 people.
Isoko located in the south east of Delta State of Nigeria, with Urobos to the West, Kwale to the North, Aboh to the East and Ijaws to the South.
Some Isoko ethnic group migrated to Bayelsal State within the Ijaws and also to Kwale. The Ibrede commonunity in Ndokwa Local government area are migrant Isoko people.The two predominate Local Government Areas are located in southern Nigeria around the northwestern side of Niger Delta. These Local Government Areas are part of Delta State, which was carved out of Bendel State in 1991 along with Edo State. Bendel State was formerly part of the Mid-Western Region formed in 1967.
The language spoken in Isokoland is called Isoko, but many communities and clans have different dialects and various of the Isoko language. The Urhobos are a sister community to the Isokos.
The Isoko Festivals
Are a unique and distinct ethnic group in Delta State of Nigeria and are predominately within the two local govermonet areas of Isoko North and Isoko South in Delta state. The Isoko ethnic group is made p of more than twenty 920) clans with a total population of more than 700,000 people.
Isoko located in the south east of Delta State of Nigeria, with Urobos to the West, Kwale to the North, Aboh to the East and Ijaws to the South.
Some Isoko ethnic group migrated to Bayelsal State within the Ijaws and also to Kwale. The Ibrede commonunity in Ndokwa Local government area are migrant Isoko people.The two predominate Local Government Areas are located in southern Nigeria around the northwestern side of Niger Delta. These Local Government Areas are part of Delta State, which was carved out of Bendel State in 1991 along with Edo State. Bendel State was formerly part of the Mid-Western Region formed in 1967.
The language spoken in Isokoland is called Isoko, but many communities and clans have different dialects and various of the Isoko language. The Urhobos are a sister community to the Isokos.
Are a unique and distinct ethnic group in Delta State of Nigeria and are predominately within the two local govermonet areas of Isoko North and Isoko South in Delta state. The Isoko ethnic group is made p of more than twenty 920) clans with a total population of more than 700,000 people.
Isoko located in the south east of Delta State of Nigeria, with Urobos to the West, Kwale to the North, Aboh to the East and Ijaws to the South.
Some Isoko ethnic group migrated to Bayelsal State within the Ijaws and also to Kwale. The Ibrede commonunity in Ndokwa Local government area are migrant Isoko people.The two predominate Local Government Areas are located in southern Nigeria around the northwestern side of Niger Delta. These Local Government Areas are part of Delta State, which was carved out of Bendel State in 1991 along with Edo State. Bendel State was formerly part of the Mid-Western Region formed in 1967.
The language spoken in Isokoland is called Isoko, but many communities and clans have different dialects and various of the Isoko language. The Urhobos are a sister community to the Isokos.
The Isoko Birth, Marriage, Death & Burial
The Isokos believe that life begins at birth and that all lives are sacred and originates from God almighty.
Not too long ago, the Isoko believe that twins or any form of birth that yields more than one child is a taboo. All the kids are then thrown into the evil forest and the family are made to under some rituals to cleanse the land. This belief have been eradicated with the advent of christianity into many Isokolands.
The birth of a child is celebrated with fanfare, drinks, kolanuts and many other festivities. Many Isokos dedicate their children before the ancestors or/and in the local church with Thanksgivings. Sadly, the male child is still given prominence in Isokoland, it is believed that, the aancestral linage and family bloodline, heritage and tradition and carried from one generation to another through the male child.
Males children undergo circumcision in Isokoland at a very young age, while the female children wait until they are of marriagable age, before they are escorted to their husband's house or immediately thereafter.
Marriage
Traditional marriage is one of the events that highlights the core Isoko traditions passed down through oral tradition from the ancestors.
Since, the intended bride is believed to be marrying not only to his husband, but to the extended family of the husband, the whole extended family are involved in the preparation, rites and rituals surrounding the marriage.
The typical Isoko marriage consists of three steps:
- 1. First visit
- 2. Second visit
- 3. The paying of the bride price.
Upon their arrival, they would be entertained by the girl’s father with kola nut and drinks. Additionally, the girl’s father will give his guest money for their trouble finding their way to his house.
In return, the groom’s family will reciprocate by offering the girls family their own drinks and kola nut. They will also pay back two times the money that was given to them by the girl’s father.
At the second visit, the groom to be will present his gift (different type of drinks and kola nut), to the girl's father and the girl is summoned and will be asked if she knew the man and want to marry him.
The presented gifts will be accepted only upon her agreement to marry him. List of required items needed by the girl's parent is given to the man to buy or pay the equivalent.
However, it is customary for the girl’s father to introduce the man to some of his family member about 5-10 and about 5-3 of the mother’s family.
The groom must visit these people one after the other and he must fulfill every request they ask of him. Also, list of required items needed by the girl's parent is given to the man to buy or pay the equivalent.
Afterwards, a date for the bride price will be fixed. On this particular day, the families of both parties will come together and agree on the pride price after negotiation. And then celebration will commence.
Additionally, the groom must pay marriage fees to the king or ovie or chief of the town. This fees varies from community to community. The king will then issue a receipt to the groom, which serves as proof from the community authorities that, the lady's hands have been given out in marriage to the name indicated on the receipt. Many communities have started replacing this receipt or in addition to the receipt, also issue a traditional marriage certificate.
In the event of a divorce or separation and assuming only traditional marriage was contracted between the both parties, the bride only need to return the amount shown on the receipt to the king of the town. If they accepts the money from her, it means the marriage have been disolved; even if the groom refuses to come to the king's palace to retrive his money.
In many Isoko communities, the groom will be required to kill a goat on behalf of the bride, in some places this aspect has been monetized. This action symbolizes the induction of the bride into the ancestral family of the groom. In many communities, as a result of this induction, it is a taboo for the bride to cheat on the husband, if she does; it is believed that she will incur the wraths of the ancestors, which can only be appease by the killing of a goat.
Conversely, since the Isokos believe is polygamous marriage, the groom is allowed to take as many wives as he can provide for and he does not incur the wrath of the ancestors, if he cheats on his wife or wives. However, it is believed that, if the husband knows of his wife cheating and does not alert the elders of the community about it, so that the ancestors can be appeased, the ancestors' wraths will be visited upon the husband.
Ancestoral wrath is believed to come in found of sickness upon the wife, the children of the union or the husband and it is also believe that, it can lead to death.
Since the bride is married to the extended family and not just the husband. If the husband's dies, the surviving wife is asked to marry one of the relatives of the husband. This is especially important, if the husband bears no children or bears no male child. The next relative will be made to bear children with the survivating wife or wives in the name of the husband that have passed in order to preserve the bloodlinage of the husband. With the advent of modernity, many women have begin to kick against this very idea and practice and many will choose rather to remain single.
Some men also have started kicking against this custom and tradition. However, in many communities; the elders usually discipline those who kick against certain customs and traditions, including this very practice. There have been cases, where the elders in communities, have refused to participate in burial or other activities that affects an offending member, until that individual rectify the wrongs he/she has made or appease the elders.
Death & Burial
The Isokos believe that, all lives come from God and must ultimately return to God. As a result, the death of an elder who live until old age is celebrated with festivity, joy and fanfare. However, the death of a young aged individual is clouded with saddest, mourning and it is not celebrated.
The isoko believe that, death can result from many ways, including as a wrath from the gods or ancestors. Each death, especially sudden death are investigated and answers gotten from the ancestors to determine if the death resulted from their wrath and if so, the necessary rituals must be performed to cleanse the land. Individuals, who allegedly died as a result of the wraths of the gods or ancestors are not buried among the living. They are usually beried in the evil forest.
Some Isokos do not still believe in taking their deaths to the cemetry for burial, rather they are buried inside their houses or compound. They believe that death is just a transition and that, they dead are still around to protect and guide the living. It is common to see multiple graves in a typical Isoko compound, where the parents or relatives have been buried and it is sacrilege to descrate these graves or treat them with levity.