Yoruba The Ancestor Of Idomas, Igalas And Igbos

Yoruba The Ancestor Of Idomas, Igalas And Igbos The group of people who migrated from Wukari and settled down in Okpoto land with the aboriginal who are decedents of Arole and Êri.Though the Wukari migrants were later divided into Igala, Igbira and Idoma due to leadership disagreement. Although they were of the same people. [1] The first settler in Okpoto land was an Ootu Ife (Yoruba) man called Arole (Inheritor) who later became the ancestor most Igbo's and he was called Arochukwu by the Igbos. The history of the Aros predates Igbo migration and founding of the kingdom of Arochukwu. Before Igbos started arriving to the Aro region in the 17th century, a group of Proto Ibibio migrated to the area. The Proto Ibibio group originally came from Usak Edet (Isanguele ), a segment of the Ejagham in present day Southern Cameroon. Arole left Ootu Ife with his brother Êri (Witness / Trust) [4][6][7][8][9] and their followers many century before the arrival of third Yoruba dynasty Oduwa who traced back his ancient ancestors back to Ootu Ife. Though many other of Ootu Ifes (Yorubas) migrated out of Ootu Ife manycenturies too before Odua. Arole and his followers move Northward and crossed River Niger to settle down in a marshing area known as Era or Potopoto later called Okpoto by Ife people. Arole who is a Priest, Blacksmith and a hunter together with some of his followers migrated out of Okpoto land many century before the arrival of the immigrants who left Wukari, Jukun land due to chieftaincy disputes. After some years Eri and some of his followers move out of Okpoto land to traced his brother Arole who have left the land for years without looking back, though Eri also left some of his people in Okpoto land.[1] Êri who is also a Priest and hunter also became the ancestor of some Igbo and he was called Eze Nri by the Igbo's. After many years the Wukari immigrants dominated the aboriginal Okpoto people (decedants of Arole and Êri) and they became one generally still called as Okpoto people. 

The new Okpoto people live for many years before their princess who was a warrior known as Ebule Married the Prince of Ootu Ife Oranmiyan grandson (Êdaranyan) who use to be a hunter in a thick forest. Ebule had a prince and princess for him, of which his children live and grow up in their mothers land, Okpoto land. Ebule who was a worrior and the only child of Abutu Eje, the leader of the the Wukari immigrants, became the first king of Okpoto people and she was called Ebule je onu (Ebule became king). After many years on the throne, Ebule step down from the throne and she was succeeded by her only son Agan- nigan or Aganapoje (plunderer, warlike person). Aganapoje was a very brave worrior like his father Edaranyan(created like Oranmiyan). Edaranyan sent many of his army to support Aganapoje because most of the other Wukari immigrants weren't in support of Aganapoje to be the second Onu of Okpoto people because he was half blood of the Okpoto immigrants, but because of the fear Wukari immigrants have for Aganapoje and his mother Ebule which she was still alive, so they were forced to accept Aganapoje. After the death of Aganapoje, Idoko succeeded his father. During the regime of Idoko, the Wukari immigrants revolted, but failed to remove Idoko from the throne. The failed revolt made the Wukari immigrants in Okpoto land divided into three groups by insulting themselves with names. The followers of Idoko which included the abooriginal Okpotos Arole and Eri decedents that remains in Okpoto land (Ootu Ife people) for many centuries, Edaranyan armies and followers that lives in Okpoto land to support the regime of the second Onu of Okpoto Aganapoje (Ootu Ife people) and the third were Onu Idoko followers of the Wukari immigrants who are in support of King Idoko were all called Igala meaning the Partition of sheep people in old Wukari immigrants language by one of the Wukari immigrants group and the King Idoko followers in retaliation called the group Igbira (pride) and the third group were called Idoma (seltle children or loyal).[2] Idoko became the first tittle holder of Atta of Igala. During the second Atta Igala, Atta Ayegba (the earth have accepted me) the Igbira and Idoma left Okpoto land to their presents locations. [2] After the migration of Igbira and Idoma to their present locations, Okpoto land then change it name to Igala land. [2] The present Igala land still have town name as Ife till date and the Igala language is 60 to 70% Yoruba language because most of their ancestors and population were of Yoruba origin, the original Okpotos (Arole and Eri decedents that remains in Okpoto land) and the followers and armies of Edaranyan that was sent to support the regime of Onu Aganapoje and Atta Idoko Oranmiyan grand sons and 30% among the Wukari immigrants of Okpoto land. [3] [4] Either the present Igbira or Idoma may still retain some of the original Wukari immigrants ancient language, despite their language were influenced by other tribes, possibly the Igbira language. Majority of Idomas admitted that their ancestors were from Igala, the Otukpa people descended from three ancestors: Owuno, Ameh-Ochagbaha and Oodo. The first two were brothers who migrated from Idah in Igalaland while Oodo migrated from Igbo land. Almost all the regions of the present Kwara and Kogi State were regions of Edaranyan great grand father (Oranmiyan) who made settlements in the past centuries from Western region of Kogi State, most especially from Southern bank/ Western bank of River Niger, Lokoja to jebba in present Kwara State, though Oranmiyan the prince of Ootu Ife didn't stay long in these settlements, but leaves some of his people in these regions. Most of the regions of the present Igbira land were all initial territory of Oranmiyan and his followers, but they left this area for other reasons. When Igbira left Okpoto land, now Igala land and crossed River Niger to settle down in the western region of their present locations, they found traces of settlements in these regions before they settle down. [2] This could be the reason why Igbiras still allowed the Igalas to settle down in part of their land most especially Ajaokuta region, maybe because they knew that all their regions belong to Ootu Ifes and Oranmiyan the great ground Father of the present Igala people. Till date there are town name as Ife in Omala local government, Ife- Olukotun in Yegba East local government, Ife and Ife Tedo in Ijumu local government of Kogi State. 1. ^ a b Adinoyi-Ojo 1996 , p. 36. 2. ^ Adinoyi-Ojo 1996 , p. 37. 3. F. F. W. Bynghall, ‘The Okpoto and Igara tribe’, Journal of African Society, 1908, Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 166. 4. E. O. Erim, ibid., pp. 202-204. 5. ^ a b Onwuejeogwu (1981), page 11 6. ^ a b Basden (1912), page 71 7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Isichei, page 246—247 8. ^ a b Uzukwu, page 93 9. ^ Isichei, page 85 Author : Baaslight