Ndi Ogba | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 531,000[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Nigeria 531,000[1] | |
| Languages | |
| Ogba | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity 98%[citation needed] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Igbo,Ikwerre,Ekpeye,Ndoki |
TheOgba is a tribe inRivers state. The Ogba people speak the Ogba language, an Igboid language.[2][3] The Ogba reside in a local government calledOgba-Egbema-Ndoni in Rivers state Nigeria. The Ogba language has three dialects namely; Usomini, Igburu, Egi dialect.[4] The Ogba kingdom is made up of three clans which includes; Egi, Igburu, Usomini clans, and its largest urban town is Omoku.[5] Ogba people speak two sub-dialects of the Ogba dialect, the Egi and Igburu. Eligbo and Ukporomini are two Ogba communities in Ahaoda East Local Government Area, while Itu II in Emohua LGA also speaks Ogba language.[3]
The Ogbas or Nde-Ogba are an Igboid group in Rivers State.[6] Nde-Ogba shares historical ties with the Ekpeye and Ikwerre tribes. The later would go on to establish the Ogba ethnic nationality. This history of the community, written by its current King, sets out to cover the entire sweep of its history, from ‘the origin of the Ogbas' (attributed to the fourteenth century) to the colonial period (post-independence history being treated only cursorily). It is based mainly on local oral traditions, taken partly from colonial Intelligence Reports, but also including extensive new material collected by the author; some use is also made, for the colonial period, of contemporary documents from British and Nigerian archives, and for prehistory, of archaeological evidence.[7]
The Ogba people are ruled by the Ọba also called Eze Ogba of Ogba land, Barr. Nwachukwu Nnam Obi III.[citation needed]
NchakaEgwu Ogba is an annual culturalfestival celebrated within November or December to markharvest season to thankGod (Chukwuabiama) and other divinities for giving themfertilesoil and good harvest.[8]
It is symbolized withYamrituals. The festival begins with a royalproclamation made by the Oba (king) at the traditionalmarket square known as Ahiankwo. The proclamation is marked with a royal feat when the Oba of Ogba Land entertainsclan headstraditional title holders and otherelites.[9] The festival last for five days. Yam is the mainfood throughout the festival period. The festíval featuressanitation and purification exercises involvingpainting and decoration ofhouses, clearing ofshrines, bush paths, leading tofarms,streams, sacred grounds, and market square. The festival features processions,courtesy visits andwrestling competitions. The climax of events is displayed by Nchaka dance and magical displays.[10] There are two categories of Nchaka masquerade, namely Nchaka-ki Iyenwa (thefemale) and Nchaka ki-ikenwa (themale).
The festival offers an opportunity for all communities in the kingdom to come together also to interact with their neighbors. Ogbas particularly those inDiaspora seize the opportunity to return home, some with their foreign friend.[8]
On the occasion of 2010 Nchaka festival, the reigningMonarch, The King. Chukwumela Nnam Obi II (0ON,JP) observed that:
"The objectives of anycultural policy for thecountry (Nigeria) should aim at ensuring the continuity of traditional skills.Sports, and cultural festivals and their progressive adaption to serve modern needs and establish a disciplined,moral and enterprisingsociety".[11]
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal= (help)Igbo topics | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| History (chronological order) | |||||
| Subgroups | |||||
| Politics | |||||
| Geography (Igboland) |
| ||||
| Demographics | |||||
| Culture | |||||
| Language |
| ||||
| Wikipedia | |||||
