Ebira people [Origin of Ebira and theLocation and size of the Ebira community]

Origin of the Ebiras

An elder beats the Agidibo to salute the spirits
(Photo by EbiraView) Ebira Tao is the largest of
the several Ebira groups found in about 8 states
of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT). The other sister groups are Ebira Koto
and Ebira Mozum (Kogi state), Ebira Panda, Ebira
Oje/Toto (Nassarawa state), Ebira Etuno (Edo
state), Ebira Agatu (Benue state) Ebira Oloko
(Ondo/Oyo/Osun states). Written records about
the origin of the Ebira people were those
compiled from palace sources by the British
colonial administrators in early 20th century. The
Ebira, through oral tradition, trace their descent
to Wukari (in the present Taraba state) where
they were a constituent part of the Kwararafa
confederation. In about 1680 AD, they (along with
the Idoma and Igala) migrated out of Wukari a
chieftaincy dispute. The Ebira later split into
various groups and settled in different locations
between 1680 and 1750 AD. The Ebira Tao first
sojourned with the Igalas at Idah but later
crossed the River Niger and settled at Ebira
Opete located the vicinity of Upake in Ajaokuta
LGA. The 'father' of the Ebira Tao who led them
to this premier settlement in Ebiraland was
Itaazi. Itaazi had five (5) sons who all later
migrated from Ebira Opete and were the
founders of the various districts in Ebiraland.

The children and the districts they founded are
Adaviruku/Ohizi (Adavi), Ododo (Okehi), Obaji
(Eyika), Uga (Okengwe) and Ochuga/Onotu
(Ihima). His daughter named Ohunene settled in
Eganyi district. Members of the various clans in
Ebiraland are descendants of the children of
Itaazi. Ohizi had five children who are
progenitors of the five traditional Adavi clans
named after them. These are upopo-uvete
(Apasi), Uka, Idu (Aniku), Adeyika and Uhwami.

A migrant group from Eganyi known as Ezi-
Onogu clan is also found in Adavi. The sons of
Ododo who are the ancestors of Okehi clans
were Okovi Oviri and Enwgukonyai. Obaji the
founder of Eika had ten children named Ohiaga,
Iyewe, Avassa, Ehemi, Anchi, Epoto, Egiri,
Ubobo, Ogu and Eyire. Uga of Okengwe had two
sons whose children constitute the present
Okovi and Agada group of clans. Due to a
sizeable concentration of other Ebira clans in
Okengwe district, they formed a socio-political
coalition known as Ada-ehi. Ochuga had six
children and their descendants make up the six
clans in Ihima. These are Emani, Oha/Idu,
Ohueta, Ure, Ohongwa and Odumi. The seventh
clan is Akuta who migrated from Okengwe.
Though Itaazi's daughter named Ohunene was
the founder of Eganyi, not all the clans there are
descended from her. Eganyi clans are Ede,
Esugu, Eheda, Ogu, Onoko, Idu, Anavapa and
Ogodo. The Aningere who are skilled craftsmen
are found in all districts. They are, however,
more concentrated in Okengwe and Adavi
districts.

Location and size of the Ebira
community

Ebiraland, the home of Ebira Tao, is located in
the central senatorial District of Kogi state. It
has a landmass of 3,426 km 2 . The 1991 national
census puts the population of the area 722,032.

Another national head count was undertaken in
2006. The provisional figure of 884,396 released
by the National Population Commission (NPC) is
being disputed. It is distributed as follows:
Okene LGA (320,260), Adavi LGA (202,194),
Okehi LGA (199,999), Ajaokuta LGA (122,321)
and Ogori Magongo LGA (39,622).