Agbor

Agbor Agbon
Kingdom
Agbor
Coordinates:
Country	Nigeria
LGA	Ika South
Government
• Dein	Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi I
Demonym(s)	Onye Agbor
Time zone	WAT (UTC+1)
Postcode	321...
Area code(s)	055

Agbor is a kingdom in Delta state, Nigeria The traditional head of Agbor is the Dein. The indigenes of Agbor town are of Ika origin.

Origin of Agbor

The History of Agbor Kingdom like those of other African

ancient kingdoms, empires and peoples is based on oral tradition. Various oral accounts on the origin of Agbor and Ika people exist but the most credible being that “Ogunagbon” and his followers who founded Agbor came from Benin and first settled in “Ominije” presently located in today’s Agbor-Nta. Following what can best be described as personal crisis between two princes in Benin and subsequent settlement of this dispute as agreed to by the chiefs and elders of Benin determined by casting of lot, one of the princes settled in what became known as “Agbon”. Agbon like other Anioma towns and communities was later anglicized by the Bjritish who found it difficult to pronounce as “Agbor” the present name of the town. For certain reasons, I have decided to ignore all other events that transpired leading to the foundation of the town called Agbor in acknowledgement of the fact that what concerns us here is the progenitor of the kingdom and his origin. Agbon (Agbor) in Benin means “Earth or “Land”. Anglicization of names of Anioma communities found difficult to pronounce was not new by the British.

Geography And Demography

Agbor is located in the Northern part of delta state. It is particularly located in Ika-South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State and is reputed to be one of the most popular towns in the Ika ethnic nation that occupies the North-western sub-region of the state. Both Agbor and Abavo clans constitute the Ika South LGA; the rest, nine clans and a metropolis (Orogodo or Boji Boji) , make up the Ika North LGA. On the world map, Agbor can be located within Latitude 6.25’ N and Longitude 6.19’ E at an altitude of approximately 147m. Agbor has illustrious sons and daughters who have excelled at both national and international levels in their various endeavours. The likes of Jim Ovia (Founder and Chairman, Zenith Bank Nigeria Limited), Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele (the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria), Lucky Monye (Managing Director, Monaco Guards) and a host of others are all eminent indigenes of Agbor.

Economy

The people of Agbor have traditionally relied on farming and fishing for their food and commerce. This may have been occasioned by the fact that Agbor, a littoral community, is naturally endowed with balanced ecosystem: fertile soil, buoyant evergreen vegetation, streams, rivers and higher water bodies, healthy sunshine, maximum rainfall, and gentle coastal winds. Living in a naturally conditioned agro-aquatic environment, Agbor can boast of surplus food and fish all year round. In their markets, the sights of locally produced food items such as yam, banana, plantain, fruits and vegetables, etc., are commonplace. However, due to urban drift and nonchalant attitude of the youth and able-bodied men towards agriculture in recent times, one cannot say that the full agricultural potential of the area is being tapped nowadays.

Politics

Agbor, like most other African settings, is a patriarchal monarchy, and has had series of rulers since inception. The traditional ruler of Agbor is known as Obi/Dein. The current Dein of Agbor is Benjamin Ikenchukwu, Keagborekuzi who goes by Dein, the title of his ruling dynasty.

Culture

The indigenes of Agbor town who are of Ika descent and speak Ika language, have a very rich cultural heritage. The various festivals observed by the people provide an opportunity to showcase the various aspects of the people’s culture. Some of this festivals, such as Igbose, which was instituted by Dein Ebonka in 1270 AD to mark God’s appearance to him in Oza Nogogo, is unique to the people of that area while Ihium Imani is observed only by Ewuru people. Festivals which are celebrated by the entire people of Agbor are Igue, Iwagi (New Yam Festival), and the Osiezi. Igue and Iwagi are celebrated annually while Osiezi is celebrated every three years. Igue Festival Agbor is a farming community where elaborate preparations are made to mark the beginning of a new farming season. These preparations culminate in the celebration of one of the most important festivals-the Igue. The event is marked with food and drinks and special cultural display. New Yam Festival (Iwa Igi) Like many other cultures, especially in South-east Nigeria, yam (igi) is regarded as the king of all crops. New Yam Festival is celebrated at the beginning of the harvest season annually. The purpose is to thank God and the spirits of their ancestors for a good harvest throughout the year. Osiezi Festival This is a festival instituted by Dein Ebonka (the first modern ruler of Agbor Kingdom), it marks a period of reunion of the living and the spirits of the dead, a period that offers friends and well-wishers the opportunity to share in the hospitality of the Agbors. Its celebration dates back to 1270 AD with the ascension of the Dein to the Agbor’s monarchical throne. The Chief Celebrant of this fest is the Obi. It began as an annual event and later as a biennual event from 1951. It lasts for a period of two weeks and is usually celebrated during the dry season, beginning from the month of September.

Towns

Agbor is and has always been the largest of the Ika clans. It was to the most politically and militarily powerful of all the Ika clans due to its constant war with Benin until the late nineteenth century (Isichei 1983 and Simpson 1936). Agbor and Abavo clans make up Ika South Local Government Area while the rest make up Ika North East Local Government Area. Agbor kingdom consists of twenty- three villages and a metropolis known as Orogodo or Boji- Boji Agbor: 1. Ogbemudein 2. Ihogbe 3. Obielihe 4. Ihaikpen 5. Ogbeisore 6. Ogbeisogban 7. Agbamuse/Oruru 8. Alifekede 9. Omumu 10. Alisor 11. Alilehan 12. Alizomor 13. Ozanogogo (Ozara) 14. Alisimien 15. Ewuru 16. Idumu-Oza 17. Aliokpu 18. Alihami 19. Agbor-nta 20. Alihagwu 21. Oki 22. Ekuku-Agbor 23. Emuhun 24. Boji-Boji Agbor The villages of Alisor, Alilehan and Ozanogogo are not Ika speaking . They speak an Edoid language known, especially to the Ika speakers, as Oza or Ozara.

References

• http://www.ikaworld.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=IkaHistoryamp;Tradition&article=207
• http://leadership.ng/features/441497/agbor-pride-of-ika-people

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