Esan people

This article is about the ethnic group. For other uses, see Esan.

Esan people
Ẹ̀bhò Ẹ̀sán
Esan
Uromi Open Market
Total population
c. 500 000
Regions with significant populations
 Nigeria500 000[1]
[2]
Languages
Esan and English
Religion
Related ethnic groups
Benin, Afemai, Urhobo, Isoko

Esan people, or Esans, are an Edoid-speaking ethnic group who share a common culture and the Esan language. The Esan are traditionally known to be agriculturalists, trado-medical practitioners, mercenary warriors and hunters. They cultivate palm trees, Irvingia gabonensis (erhonhiele), Cherry (Otien), bell pepper (akoh) coconut, betel nut, kola nut, black pear, avocado pear, yams, cocoyam, cassava, maize, rice, beans, groundnut, bananas, oranges, plantains, sugar cane, tomato, potato, okra, pineapple, paw paw, and various vegetables.[3]

The modern Esan nation is believed to have been organized during the 15th century, when citizens, mostly nobles and princess, left the neighbouring Benin Empire for the northeast; there they formed communities and kingdoms called eguares among the aboriginal peoples whom they met there[4] There are on the whole 35 established kingdoms in Esanland, including Amahor, Ebelle, Egoro, Ewohimi, Ekekhenlen, Ekpoma, Ekpon, Emu, Ewu, Ewato, Ewosa, Idoa,[5] Ifeku, Igueben, Ilushi, Inyelen, Irrua, Ogwa, Ohordua, Okalo, Okhuesan, Onogholo, Opoji, Oria, Orowa, Uromi, Udo, Ugbegun, Ugboha, Ubiaja, Urhohi, Ugun, Ujiogba, Ukhun, and Uzea.[6]

The Esan Kingdoms often warred among each other. Despite the war, the Esans kept a homogenous culture that was chiefly influenced by the Benin Empire. However, these kingdoms were colonized, along with the Benin Empire, by the British Empire during September 1897, only gaining independence 63 years later in 1960 when Nigeria became independent from British Colonial rule.[7][8] After independence, the Esan people have suffered from civil war, poverty, and lack of infrastructure.[9]

The Esans primarily speak the Esan language, an Edoid language related to Edo, Urhobo, Owan language, Isoko, Anioma and Etsako.[10] It is considered a regionally important language in Nigeria, and it is taught in primary schools in addition to being broadcast on radio and television. The Esan language is also recognized in the Census of the United Kingdom.[11][12]

It is estimated that the Esan people who reside in Esanland number about one million to 1.5 million citizens Nigeria,[13] and there is a strong Esan diaspora.[14]

  1. ^ Rolle, Nicholas. [1], University of California in Berkeley, Berkeley, October 17, 2012. Retrieved on 1 November 2014.
  2. ^ [2] National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum, London, 2011. Retrieved on 11 February 2015.
  3. ^ "AGRICULTURE IN ESAN". Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  4. ^ Aluwong, Jeremiah (4 August 2019). "Ethnic Groups in Nigeria: The Esan People". Connect Nigeria. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  5. ^ idoasky. "Idoa: Community: Esan: West: Edo: State: Nigeria". Idoa Community, Edo State. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  6. ^ "Ethnic Groups in Nigeria: The Esan People • Connect Nigeria". Connect Nigeria. 4 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  7. ^ Ajayi, David Olayinka (30 June 2022). "British colonial policies and the challenge of national unity in Nigeria, 1914-2014". Southern Journal for Contemporary History. 47 (1): 27–50. doi:10.38140/sjch.v47i1.6168 (inactive 13 November 2024). ISSN 2415-0509.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
  8. ^ "AFRICA | 101 Last Tribes - Esan people". www.101lasttribes.com. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  9. ^ Golden, Enudi (8 April 2021). "Tribes With The Strongest Juju In Nigeria -History". goldennewsng.com. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  10. ^ Unknown and to a limited extent, the Fulani language [3], U.S. Center for World Mission, Pasadena, 2014. Retrieved on 1 November 2014.
  11. ^ Unknown. [4], Department for Education , London, 2014. Retrieved on 30 May 2015.
  12. ^ Dalby, Andrew (1998). Dictionary of Languages: The Definitive Reference to More Than 400 Languages. New York City: Columbia University Press. pp. 162–163. ISBN 978-0-231-11568-1. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  13. ^ Rolle, Nicholas, [5], University of California in Berkeley, Berkeley, October 17, 2012. The aforementioned population data is contentious because there has not been any acceptable population enumeration regarding tribes in Nigeria. Retrieved on 1 November 2014.
  14. ^ "Esan group in Diaspora backs APC candidate for Senate". Vanguard News. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2021.