URHOBO PEOPLE, THE AKANS !
- Obruke Orodje
- Oct 12
- 3 min read
IBABA ERE, IBABA IDU , IBABA AKA
3000 BC, 2000BC, 1700BC (Isiaka)
Welcome to the rich cultural heritage of Aka land, the ancestral home to the Urhobo people. Ogbe'Aka stands as the historic foundation for the Urhobo people which originally covers Aka, Efa and Emehi among others, established by Aka, the first son of Pa Idu and the grandson of Pa Ere, after their return from Uhe. Aka, whose name represent Bitter kola, was the first Odionwere of the priesthood family(Urhobo) . The word Urhobo is derived from the combination of the two words Urho and Obo . Urho means family gate and Obo means priest or traditionalist. Aka ruled for many years until his son Udo succeeded him, despite opposition from his father's brother Efa and Emehi, whose mother from Uhe, in the present Omala L.G.A of Kogi state.
Udo later migrated 50KM from Ogbe r'Aka to establish the Udo community, which became a bustling commercial hub attracting traders, including the Ijaws, during the reign of Ogiso Agbonseke, thriving for over 2000 years until it fell under the control of igoodomigodo by Ogiso Odoligie, the 24th Ogiso. Other sons of Aka including Oboh also migrated far westward to what's today known as Akan ethnic group in Ivory Coast and Ghana. From the Akans in Ivory coast and Ghana more than 24 ethnic groups was formed including the Ashanti etcs.. The communities of Udo, Urhonigbe, Urhomehe among many were originally of Urhobo people and exist for morethan 1655years before igodomigodo kingdom was founded by Ogiso Igodo from the Aka's lineage in 40BCE. Furthermore, Urhonigbe and Urhomehe are significant as worship centers for the Urhobo people, valued for their proximity to the sacred River Olokun.
IGODOMIGODO KINGDOM
40BCE - 1100AD
The institution of Ogieship among the Urhobo people evolved naturally from the Odionwere system. As migrants introduced governance ideas and villages merged into larger communities, the limitations of the Odionwere system became apparent, prompting neighboring Edionwere convene and address shared challenges. This led to the Iko-Edionwere council as an adaptation of Odionwere structure. From the Iko-Edionwere, Igodo emerged, with leadership not strictly determined by age or seniority, allowing for competition among the Edionwere for leadership roles. This favored younger individuals, particularly in the Evbuoto community where Igodo rose to prominence around 40 B.C.E following a cough epidemic that diminished the older population. His youthful energy, with experience and wisdom, allowed him to gain respect and influence within the council. Igodo’s rise to power was further bolstered by his innovative use of patronage, as he shared meat from an elephant killed by local blacksmiths with all communities, a gesture that significantly increased his popularity. Regarded as a "God-sent" leader, he earned the title "Ogie" or "Ogiso which persisted even after the Eweka dynasty began in 1200 A.D. His authority attracted many, including older Edionwere, and he established a loyal following to enforce his rule, expanding his influence across a vast area. Despite resistance from some communities, including his birthplace Evbuoto and ancestral home Udo, Igodo successfully maintained a subordinate Iko-Edionwere council while promoting crafts, agriculture, trade under his monarchy.
URHOBO MIGRATION
884AD - 1500s
The Igodomigodo kingdom was originally ruled by the Aka lineage, beginning with Ogiso Igodo from 40BCE to 16 AD, and continuing with his grandson Ogiso Ere 16 - 66AD and great-grandson Ogiso Orire 66 - 100 AD. Following a 285-year interregnum, the royal title was shared between the Aka and Efa family gates. During the reign of Ogiso Orriagba from the Efa lineage, his son Odiligie succeeded him and strengthened the kingdom, incorporating independent towns such as Udo, Urhonigbe, and Urhomene into the Igodomigodo kingdom. This led to attacks on independent communities by Ogiso Odoligie and his warlords, including Idudun, Ozua and Iken prompting many displaced Urhobos of the Aka lineage to migrate in large groups to new territories, including Erhoghwa, which became Isoko in 1957.
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