Itsekiri Ethnic Group

Itsekiri is a major ethnic group in Nigeria's Niger Delta region. The ethnicity, estimated to be about 1 million strong, is native to warri in present day delta state, but itsekiris can also be found in large numbers in Edo, Lagos, Ondo, and River States, and also parts of neighbouring ijaw territories to the southeast of their homeland. Sandwiched between a number of major and dominant ethnicities, Itsekiri culture has been greatly influenced over the years. The Itsekiri language, for instance, sports evidence of influence from Yoruba, ijaw, Edo, Urhobo, Igala and more curiously, Portuguese and English language. Despite its many influences, Itsekiri language is remarkably homogeneous across all speakers, and has no know dialectal variations. A careful study of the history of the development of the Itsekiri ethnic group reveals that the earlier mentioned cultures all exerted considerable influences on them at one point or the other, and some of the ethnicities progenitors were migrants from these neighbouring tribes who settled in Itsekiri land (or more appropriately, warri kingdom, as their domain along the Atlantic coast was once called).

Like many ethnic societies along Nigeria Atlantic coast, the Itsekiris made early contacts with Portuguese traders, and quickly developed lucrative trade relationship to supplement their local economy which thrived on fishing and trading. While the exploits of the Portuguese at Benin are often more popularly recounted, the Itsekiris, then affiliated to the Oba of Benin, were instrumental to opening up the routes from the coasts, and ultimately, the establishment of trade relations between Benin and Portuguese. Though largely under the administration of Benin in medieval times, the Warri kingdom exercise some measure of autonomy, and had it's own traditional ruler, the Olu of Warri, whose descendants still ascend the now ceremonial throne.

Owing to their early contact with Portuguese traders, Itsekiris are predominantly catholic, though other denominations of Christians also abound, and adherents of other religions are free to practice their chosen faiths among the Itsekiris. Besides, Warri is today a hugely cosmopolitan town, playing host to Nigerians of diverse ethnicities and thousands of expatriates engaged in the petroleum sector. As its been said in all corner of Nigeria

WARRI NOR DA CARRY LAST IF E TOO MUCH NA DRAW.

meaning warri can never come last in any competition.

They are also know for fishing farming along with other ethnicities in delta state.

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I remain your humble steemians @juli1 as been told about the story about Itsekiri by my father's. Thanks for reading please follow, upvote, and resteem. I love you all.