Meet The Isobos, The Igbo Speaking Tribe Of Obubra LGA of Cross River State (Photos)

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Benson
Benson
State : Akwa Ibom
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PostBenson Thu Oct 27, 2016 8:30 pm

Meet The Isobos, The Igbo Speaking Tribe Of Obubra LGA of Cross River State (Photos) Isobo

ISOBO IGBOS OF OBUBRA-CROSS RIVER STATE
The Isobo are the most eastern sub group of the Igbo nation domiciled mainly in Obubra LGA of Cross River State as well as part of Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State. The major center in Ikwo LGA is Akpawudele(Ekpa-Omaka), with some remnants in Ndi-Oka, Ndiagu, and Amagu. They are possibly an offshoot of the Ikwo sub group and also within the same Obubra LGA are the Echara people who are by the way neighbors of the Isobo people. In Obubra, the three major clans are Isobo-Bikobiko; Isobo-Otaka and Isobo-Otaka. They dominate Osopong 2 ward out of the 11 wards in Obubra covering 18 polling units out of the 155 in the LGA. So based on the rule of thumb, we can assume the Isobo and Echara people make up about 12 per cent of the population of Obubra as well as the land area. This means the Isobo people probably occupy about 130km2 of land area and number some 20,705 people based on the controversial 2006 census exercise.isobo

Remnants of the Isobo people are found according to ISOBO Community on facebook in such places like Nd’Oka; Okwuenyim, Nd’Nkash; Appiapum; Nko; Imabana-Ochokwo
; Igbo-Imabana and Igbudu mainly in Obubra as well as enclaves in Abi and possibly Yakurr LGA of the State. The scattered enclaves of the Isobo people was noted by Ecoma Chinyere who wrote on the nature of trade and commerce in the Upper Cross River area.
HISTORY AND CULTURE
History says they migrated from NCHONU which will put them as part of the Ikwo larger group. This was between 300-400 years ago when they began gradually mainly to conquest to settle in the area. The major festival is the new yam festival called the AJI. Their neighbors to the east are the Mbembe people who dominate Obubra LGA. Because of their proximity to their Mbembe neighbors, the Isobo apart from using the traditional week days of Eke, Afor, Orie and Nkwo(which is their market day) had adopted the 6-day week system practiced by the Mbembe people. Their main market in the Ebonyi State axis is the Igboji market.


THE BOUNDARIES OF ISOBO CLAN

fromd uphills of Nko n Ugep down d smarshy swamp of Bikobiko and Otaka in Osopong. From the renmants of Imabana to the waterside of Adun. Then from the hamlets of Nd’oka, Nd’nkash, Okwuenyim and the Igbudu traversin d Ekpanwudeles where ISOBO spirit survives



ORINJI FESTIVAL ( NEW YAM FESTIVAL) OF THE ISOBOS

September the 5th is not only the NEW YAM FESTIVAL DAY for the Isobos,but also marks the climax of myriad of very unique cultural protocols heralding the celebration of the new yam each year. Of course,yam is well celebrated above other tuber crops especially among the Igbos and the Isobos are not left out in this generational practice. Among the lined up cultural rites and activities, the celebrations is kick started with the announcement of the FESTIVAL OF THE PUMPKIN LEAF ( OKPATA INE) by a member of the Council of Chiefs commissioned with that charge. This is usually a cultural celebration exclusively for ND’OVA (Council of Chiefs).It is pertinent to note here that in this particular occasion,the new yam is not involved. The Ova concerned treats the Nd’ Ova to a lavished entertainment immediately they return from the Ezegwuk (Great playground); where sacrifices are offered to the gods for a bountiful harvest. Significantly, it offers hope and strength to the people that at last, the period of famine is drawing to a close. Then it is followed by the big one-EJA NJI (Yam sacrifice).
The Eja Nji is the most important of all the rites heralding the new yam.All the seven OVAs representing the seven kindred in Isobo are fully involved.All the Chiefs adorned in their best apparels and attires undertake seven spiritual journeys shuttling between Ezegdwuk and Edgwuk (Village playground) during which time prayers and sacrifices are made for good harvest.


Meet The Isobos, The Igbo Speaking Tribe Of Obubra LGA of Cross River State (Photos) Isobos

Meet The Isobos, The Igbo Speaking Tribe Of Obubra LGA of Cross River State (Photos) Sunny-nneji-chieftaincy-1
http://www.igberetvnews.com/262818

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