By Fresh Facts Investigative Desk
In recent years, debates have intensified over the origin and ownership of Igbanke, a culturally rich and historically signif icant community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. The controversy primarily revolves around whether Igbanke is of Bini or Igbo origin. This conflict, steeped in politics, cultural pride, and historical interpretation, has deepened identity debates across Southern Nigeria. Fresh Facts Magazine critically examines available historical records, oral traditions, and colonial archives to provide clarity on this issue.
The Igbanke Community: Who Are They?
Igbanke is a collective name for a group of communities—Omolua, Idumodin, Igbontor, Ottah, Oligie, and Ake. These sub-communities are distinct yet share linguistic and cultural similarities. Today, Igbanke inhabitants speak a dialect that is linguistically closer to Bini than to Igbo, though intermarriages and proximity to the Igbo-speaking Delta and Anambra regions have fostered cultural blending.
Historical and Oral Accounts
1. Benin Empire Connection
Multiple oral traditions and historical studies trace Igbanke’s ancestry to the Benin Kingdom, one of West Africa’s most formidable empires. It is widely believed that the original settlers of Igbanke were Bini warriors and settlers who migrated eastward during the expansion of the empire, particularly during the reigns of powerful Obas such as Oba Ewuare and Oba Esigie.
Historian Prof. Philip Igbafe, a respected authority on Edo history, affirms that many communities in modern-day Edo and Delta States—like Igbanke—were outposts or settlements created during the Benin Empire’s military campaigns and trade expansions. These settlements served strategic roles, including tax collection, security, and control of trade routes toward the eastern territories.
2. Chieftaincy and Titles
The traditional institutions in Igbanke—titles, chieftaincy structure, and cultural festivals—mirror those in Benin. For example, the Enogie (traditional ruler) system in Igbanke is identical to that of the Bini, where the Oba of Benin is seen as the ultimate traditional authority. Many Igbanke elders still pay homage to the Oba during major festivals, an enduring link to Benin.
3. Language and Religion
While the people of Igbanke speak a variant of Edoid language, it bears little resemblance to the Igbo language. The religious systems, ancestor worship, and masquerade traditions in Igbanke also align more with Benin spiritual customs than with typical Igbo cosmology.
The Igbo Connection: Influence, Not Ownership?
Despite the evidence of Benin origin, Igbo influence in Igbanke cannot be ignored. Over centuries, trade and intermarriage with neighboring Igbo communities led to the assimilation of certain cultural practices. Some Igbanke names and market days show Igbo resemblance. However, cultural diffusion does not equate to origin.
It’s also important to note that the Igbo ethnic group, being geographically close and economically enterprising, expanded across Delta and parts of Edo, sometimes settling in already existing communities like Igbanke.
Colonial Records and Administrative Identity
British colonial officers who administered the region in the early 1900s consistently recorded Igbanke as part of the Benin Province under the Western Region. There is no colonial record that places Igbanke under Igbo-speaking Eastern Region or suggests a primary Igbo origin. Missionary records and census reports also categorized Igbanke as part of the Edoid cultural zone.
Recent Tensions: Politics and Identity
The resurgence of the ownership debate appears politically driven. With the rise of ethnic consciousness, especially in electoral contexts and resource control, communities often revisit their identities for strategic positioning. Some interest groups within Igbanke, perhaps due to proximity or perceived marginalization, have begun to align with Igbo identity narratives.
However, such shifts are often recent and politically motivated rather than grounded in historical facts.
Conclusion: Igbanke’s Root Is Benin
A critical analysis of linguistic, cultural, historical, and administrative evidence strongly supports the assertion that Igbanke is of Benin origin. While Igbo influence has shaped some aspects of its culture through contact and commerce, it does not alter the foundational identity of the community.
Rather than deepen division, scholars and stakeholders advocate for the celebration of Igbanke’s unique position as a bridge between the Benin and Igbo civilizations—a rare cultural mosaic deserving preservation, not politicization.
Sources Consulted:
- National Archives of Nigeria (Benin Province Records)
- Prof. Philip Igbafe’s Benin Under British Administration
- Oral Histories from Igbanke Elders and Palace Chiefs
- Reports from Edo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism
- 1952 Colonial Census Records
