Obolo people
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2021) |
Obolo | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 357,000[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Rivers State, Bayelsa State, Abia State, Cross River State, Enugu State & Akwa Ibom State | |
| Languages | |
| Obolo | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Ijaw, Ibibio, Oron, Annang, Ibeno, Efik, Enyong, Ido |
The Obolo people,[2] also known as the Andoni[3] or Doni, is an ethnic group in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.[4][5] Obolo people are primarily found in Rivers and Akwa Ibom State.[6]
History and origin
[edit]The documentation of the origin and the migration of the Obolo people is sparse and fragmented. The earliest data on Obolo migration is from around 12th century BC.
Obolo people (Andoni, Idoni or Indo) existed before the colonial era and commercial contacts with European traders. They interacted with the Bonny, Okrika, Kalabari, Nkoro, and Ibono people in what is now Ibeno, as well as with the Okoro-utip and Mkpanak people of Ibeno.[clarification needed] In the past, the Obolo people frequently fought wars with the Kingdom of Bonny and the Ogoni people,[7] though they generally maintain good relations with the latter.[8]
1904 British expedition
[edit]Christianity was already accepted in Obolo land long before 1699. When John Barbot visited Dony Town (Andoni) in 1699, he observed that the King of Dony Town accepted Christianity and priests were regularly sent from Sao Tome and Brazil to him to act as ministers. The king of Dony Town also spoke Portuguese.[8] Nonetheless, the Yok-Obolo was still feared among neighboring tribes, who spread rumors of their ferocity in battle even to the British.[9]
After destroying the House of Skulls and the Shrine of Yok-Obolo, the British split Andoni into six parts, each attached to one of the six Native Courts in the Niger Delta, hoping to destroy the Obolo politically.[citation needed] Some of the bronze arts and crafts collected by the British during this expedition are still on display in the British Museum.[10]
Language
[edit]The Obolo people speak the Obolo language.[11]
Traditions
[edit]The annual fishing festival Ijok-Irin, celebrated every 5th of July, is unique to the people of Unyeada Kingdom,[12]
Economy
[edit]Obolo territory, which spans from the Eastern Obolo territory in Akwa Ibom State to Bight of Bonny in Rivers State, has significant natural resources. Part of Nigeria's oil and gas revenue comes from the Obolo land.[13]
Notable people
[edit]- Anthony Nted Emmanuel, former president, Maritime Workers' Union of Nigeria
- Rufus Godwins, former solicitor general of Rivers State and the current head of Rivers State Civil Service
- Ikuinyi O. Ibani, former speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly
- Tele Ikuru, former Deputy Governor of Rivers State
- Matilda Lambert, Nigerian actress, filmmaker
- King Otuo Ogbalakon, 17th-century Obolo warrior-king/Okaan-Obolo II
- Ugbana Oyet, sergeant at arms, House of Commons of the United Kingdom
- Prince Uche Secondus, former national chairman, People's Democratic Party (PDP)
- Ezekiel Warigbani, youth advocate, former governorship candidate of APDA in 2019 Rivers State gubernatorial election
References
[edit]- ^ "Obolo in Nigeria". Joshua Project. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ L, R. (March 1994). "Obolo Local History – A History of Obolo ( Adoni) in the Niger Delta. By Nkparom C. Ejituwu. Oron: Manson Publishing Company, in association with University of Port Harcourt Press, 1991. Pp. xiv+314. No price given (ISBN 978-2451-4-5)". The Journal of African History. 35 (1): 146. doi:10.1017/S0021853700026074. ISSN 1469-5138.
- ^ Enemugwem, JH (23 June 2009). "Oil Pollution and Eastern Obolo Human Ecology, 1957–2007". African Research Review. 3 (1). doi:10.4314/afrrev.v3i1.43561. ISSN 2070-0083.
- ^ Atainyang, Joseph (13 June 2021). "Calabar, Obolo States creation feature at House of Reps public hearing". National News Track. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
- ^ Olujide, M.G. (April 2006). "Perceived Effect of Oil Spillage on the Livelihood Activities of Women in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State". Journal of Human Ecology. 19 (4): 259–266. doi:10.1080/09709274.2006.11905888. ISSN 0970-9274. S2CID 218558138.
- ^ Adonteng-Kissi, Obed; Oke, Benson R.; Meribe, Nnaemeka Chidiebere; Ayentimi, Desmond Tutu (2 September 2021). "Environmental Impact of Oil and Gas Exploration on Livelihoods in Nigeria's Eastern Obolo: Exploring the People's Rights to Fair Compensation". Forum for Development Studies. 48 (3): 539–570. doi:10.1080/08039410.2021.1947364. ISSN 0803-9410. S2CID 242414735.
- ^ Gazette, Fatherland (13 September 2019). "The Andoni/Obolo People". Fatherland Gazette. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ a b Ejituwu, Nkparom C. (1995). "Y[uppercase letter O with left-slanted line above and vertical line below]k-Òbòlò: The Influence of a Traditional Religion on the Socio-Cultural Life of the Andoni People". Africa: Journal of the International African Institute. 65 (1): 97–113. doi:10.2307/1160909. ISSN 0001-9720. JSTOR 1160909. S2CID 154501414.
- ^ Ejituwu, Nkparom C. (1995). "Yok-Obolo: The Influence of a Traditional Religion on the Socio-Cultural Life of the Andoni People". Africa: Journal of the International African Institute. 65 (1): 97–113. doi:10.2307/1160909. JSTOR 1160909. S2CID 154501414.
- ^ "1904 British Punitive Expedition Against Obolo (Andoni) People and their god". Nairaland.
- ^ Says, Cách Sử Dụng Sữa Béo Nga (13 September 2019). "The Andoni/Obolo People". Fatherland Gazette. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ Afolabi, Oluwaseun (23 January 2021). "People and Culture of Nigeria: The Obolo Tribe". Fatherland Gazette. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ "Nigeria's oil-rich communities abandoned in shocking poverty despite huge wealth". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
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