Anioma

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Anioma Region
Anioma
Total population
1,800,000 (est. 2022, 2,100,000) 2,100,000 (including those of ancestral descent)
Regions with significant populations
Nigeria (Delta State, and Edo State)
Religion
Predominantly Christian,
minority African Traditional Religion
Related ethnic groups
Bini, Esan, Igala, Olukumi, Isoko

The Anioma Region (/æˈniːɒmɑː/ ah-NEE-o-ma, US: /əˈniːɒmɑː/ uh-NEE-o-mah; Ndi Ániọ̀mà or Ndè Ániọ̀mà Listen) of present day Delta State, Nigeria encompass and are native to the nine northern Local Government Areas of Delta State. Politically, the Anioma occupy the Delta North Senatorial District.

Today, the population of the Anioma region is estimated today to be at approximately 1.8 million.[1][2] The largest settlement in Anioma and urban area is the Delta State Capital Territory, which incorporates the city of Asaba along the Niger River, with Okpanam, Igbuzor and surrounding communities.[3] The Anioma region natively speak the Igboid languages, a Niger-Congo language, as well as several minority languages related to the cultures they lie contingent to.[4]

Etymology

The term Anioma is an acronym etymologically derived from the major ethnic groups that comprise the Delta North region flanking the western basin of the Niger in south central Nigeria: the Aniocha (A), Ndokwa (N), Ika (I) and the Oshimili peoples(O).[5] The coinage was made in 1951 by Chief Dennis Osadebay, founding father of the Anioma state movement and has since remained the preferred indigenous name by which the people collectively refer to themselves.[6]

Language

The Anioma people are predominantly Igbo languages speakers including Enuani in the northeast (spoken in Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, Isheagu, Asaba, parts of Igbodo, Illah, Issele, Idumuje, Onicha etc.), Ika in the northwest (of Agbor, Umunede, Owa, Igbanke, Boji-Boji etc.), Ukwuani mostly spoken by the peoples of Ndokwa in the south. Such as, Kwale, Aboh, Ase, Ogume, Obiaruku, Okpai, Abbi, Amai etc.[7]

Minorities of historically non-Igbo speakers exist with a Igala minority in the northernmost extremities of the Anioma homeland at Ebu on the border with Edo and Umuebu in Ukwuani,[8] as well as the Olukumi who speak a language related to Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria and are acculturated to the predominant Igbo culture [9] of Aniocha.

The Ekumeku Movement (1883-1914)

See also Ekumeku Movement:

The Ekumeku War is unique in Anioma region history for two reasons.[10] First, the movement's duration involved military campaigns spanning thirty-one years against the British.[11] Secondly, it exemplifies an effort amongst the Anioma people to unify previously fragmented states in resistance to the British colonial army.[11]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. "Federal Republic of Nigeria, Official gazette". 94 (24). 2007. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. "About". ANIOMA VOICE WORLDWIDE FOUNDATION. Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
  3. "NED NWOKO'S STATE CREATION BILL". This Day. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  4. Ezeme, Idenze (2024-12-08). "The Anioma People: Culture, History, and Contributions". Ozi Ikòrò. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
  5. "How the term 'Anioma' was derived". Freshangle News. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  6. The World Satellite (2025-07-29). "The Logic Of Anioma As Igbo State -". Retrieved 2026-05-01.
  7. "Language and Cultural Identity". TheProposedAniomaState. Retrieved 2026-05-01.
  8. "EBU, THE IGALA- SPEAKING COMMUNITY IN ANIOMA". nairapen.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  9. Nkemnacho, George (2024-02-28). "Olukumi Kingdom: A Peculiar Yoruba Enclave". Everrand. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
  10. Igbafe, Philip A. (1971). "Western Ibo Society and its Resistance to British Rule: The Ekumeku Movement 1898–1911". The Journal of African History. 12 (3): 441–459. doi:10.1017/S0021853700010872. ISSN 1469-5138.
  11. Igbafe, Philip A. (1971). "Western Ibo Society and its Resistance to British Rule: The Ekumeku Movement 1898–1911". The Journal of African History. 12 (3): 441–459. doi:10.1017/S0021853700010872. ISSN 0021-8537.
  12. Nwafor (2018-04-14). "Achuzia,"Hannibal", buried in Asaba". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
  13. "TONY ELUMELU: Exiting UBA as CEO at Age 47 was a Blessing". This Day. Retrieved 2022-09-07.

Further reading

  • Udeani, Chibueze. (2007). Inculturation as Dialogue: Igbo Culture and the Message of Christ. p. 11. ISBN 978-9042022294.
  • Ikime O. (ed). Groundwork of Nigerian history. Heineman educational books (Nigeria) PLC, Ibadan, 1980: 89–121.
  • Onwuejeogwu MA. Igbo civilization: Nri kingdom and hegemony; London, Ethnographica, 1981.
  • Obi Efeizomor II (Obi of Owa). Community development in Owa kingdom – the Nigerian factor. University of Benin press; Benin City-Nigeria; 1994: 303.