I was in Ijebu Ode some weeks ago for a Resource feasibility study when I had the privilege of learning about the ways of life of the Ijebu inhabitants. I guess knowing people more would determine how you relate with them and how to stay reserved in some aspects. Everyone holds assumptions or beliefs about some certain tribes which relegates our relations with such. I have me horrific generalizations about the People of Ijebu Ode but on a closer look, I was able to verify that which was right and eradicate the false. I would love so much to share my knowledge about the Ijebus with the Steemit community which I believe would be very useful and referential in dealing with these sets and even similar races. Like a wise man once said
a knowledge shared is a knowledge kept, and a knowledge kept is one shred......
My own very personal quote!
Follow me on this educational grill as I enlighten you about the industrious people of Ijebu.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE OF IJEBU?
Ijebu, is one of the largest ethnic group of the South-Central region of the Yoruba race of the Western Nigeria. It is a division under Ogun State, sharing equal land borders with Abeokuta which happened to be the capital of Ogun State of Nigeria. The Ijebus are divided into sixteen (16) separate entities with their three (3) main operational units which are:
• Ijebu Ode - the regional capital
• Ijebu Igbo - the spiritual capital (where all festivals are celebrated)
• Sagamu - Ijebu's largest Commercial capital
Each of this entities work together to form an organized everyday Ijebu.
The people of Ijebu are those who are of the Ijebu tribe and inhabits its territory or those in diaspora whose innateness is reflected as a result of their origination.
PECULIARITIES OF THE IJEBU PEOPLE OF NIGERIA (IJEBUS)
The Ijebus like every other nation and tribe has their own peculiarities to distinguish them from other ethnicities in Nigeria. We would discuss them in details in the subsequent paragraphs:
LANGUAGE
The Ijebu people of Nigeria, speak "Ijebu dialect" which is an altogether different language from the conventional Yoruba. An Ijebu is distinguished and recognized by the way he speaks. Their repetitive monotonous intonation gives a kind of laconic rhythmic musical sound thereby making them easily fishable amongst others. Ijebu language is their pride and are ready to speak it even internationally! Their vowels mostly interfere in their speaking of other languages say, English.
FOOD
When it comes to sumptous and popular nigerian delicacies, the Ijebus are partly to be mentioned. If you have heard about the popular Ijebu Garri, it comes from the innovation of these brilliant people. The ijebu garri is a dish made from grinding dried cassava into an almost powdery substance. The Ijebu garri has turned out to be one of the best quick easy to prepare food for Nigerians and even has gained international recognition. It is usually mixed with cold water and drank with say: sugar, groundnut, honey, beans-cake, fried meat, roasted fish, or any other proteinous edibles. With hot water, it turns into a staple that can be eaten with any Nigerian soup.
Asides Ijebu Garri, they are also known for their delicate Ikokore made from grated water yam and cooked with dried fish, peppers, onions and a considerable amount of palm oil and of course seasonings. The Ijebus can eat this as a breakfast, lunch or supper. It is enjoyed hot and sometimes with the addition of a cold cassava staple.
How about the Imoyo soup of the Epe part of Ijebu? Hmmmm. Writing about it alone is making me crave this delicious soup. It is usually made with blended pepper cooked together with a fresh fish, most preferably tilapia! Every ingredient is cooked together without a preferential treatment to any of them. This can be eaten with any staple of choice.
THRIFTINESS/PARTY LOVERS
It is believed that the Ijebus are economically frugal and hate to part with their commodities especially money. In my personal opinion, this is just an undue stereotyped speculation. Thriftiness doesn't have to be akin to a tribe. The Ijebus are one of the most cheerful people you could come across. They give even when it inconveniences them. How can someone who loves so much to party be frugal? The Ijebus have a knack for partying and social gatherings. They are ready to jive and won't mind spending to that effect. I personally have friends like that who would do anything to be in a party even the uninvited ones. This also highlights their sociable traits.
FITS OF RAGE
The writeup about the Ijebu people won't be complete without putting the fact that they are easily prone to anger kind of people. They are known for their belligerent attributes which explains why at certain times of ijebu history, they has been several records of war. It is no surprise, they are the first Yoruba tribe to make weapons of war to combat the European forces in 1892. They lost but their obstinacy remained unhurt. An average ijebu man is bellicose. This knowledge of them gives one the ability to learn how to relate without invoking their jousting sides. They laugh a lot but are easily irritated to certain jokes. They play a lot but are annoyed by certain games. They are mostly have mood swings. You can't really tell when to say certain things to time in that mood. It is best to avoid them in times like this. My best friend is from Ijebu and relating with her is no easy feat! Though, learning about them has helped him in some ways to placate and predict her fitful times of rage!
Source
Cross section of the 1892 Ijebus Imagbon military warriors
ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS
Yes yes! The Ijebus are about the most entrepreneurial sets of people in the world. They are innovative thinkers and organized planners. The Ijebus always think of ways to make cash and how to utilize it to make more cash. No wonder it is rumored that the ijebus loves money than their own good. Who doesn't???
They have broken some pretty amazing records, providing one of the world's richest black woman, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija who is a business tycoon well thanks to her origination!
To their credit is also one of the world's richest black man, Mike Adenuga who is the CEO of Globacoms, the second biggest telecommunication operations with about 36million subscribers. He is also an oil mogul. Isn't the Ijebus enviable with their entrepreneurial skills?
Source
Meet Mr Mike Adenuga, CEO Globacoms and oil mogul
FESTIVALS
They love festivals and observance of rituals. There are a given recorded numbers of festivals celebrated by the ijebus. Some of which would be briefly explained below.
Ojude Oba Festival
This is an annual festival held in the third day after the Eid el-Kabir celebration, in which the people of ijebu both home and abroad gather to pay homage to the Awujale, who happens to be the monarchical ruler of the Ijebu kingdom. It is a festival celebrated with pomp and grace in a grand style. There is a lot to eat and drink in this festival and also a positive proclamation of prayers by the majestic ruler on forthcoming seasonal abundance. Most non-Ijebus also don't miss this grand ceremony as there are a lot of activities to behold.
Source
The present Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Adetona
Source
Cross section of Ijebus paying homage to their royal patron
The Agemo festival
This is one sacred festivals celebrated between the months of July and August. It is done to appease the 16 ancestral prominent Agemo masquerade of ijebu land. Women are forbidden to come out at this period as it is believed to be a taboo for a woman to behold the Agemo masquerade. A public announcement is made prior the time of the festival to warn women to stay indoors to avoid invoking the wrath of the spirits. The ijebus hold dear their sacrileges.
Oro festival
The Oro is a satiric festival which speaks against evil rulers and project the masses concerns. It is also done to rid the land of evil omen and in preparation of the Agemo festival. It is mostly carried out at night and the Oro carriers roam the night with their scary whirling noises and incantatory wails.The symbol of the Oro is a Bull roarer which is made of a piece of wood tied to a stick then to a sling. It is forbidden for a woman to witness the Oro. It is best advisable for a woman to stay indoors until the completion of this festivals in about a total of 7days in the month of June/July annually.
The Egungun Festival
This is done in honor of the ancestral masquerading spirits who is believed to protect the lands of the Ijebus. This is done with so much drumming and dancing. Masked humans who are the masquerades are believed to be possessed with supernatural powers in their masked period. The ijebus and others loves their Egungun festivals. I have personally witnessed one too.
There are a lots more festivals but I would stop here for now so we can talk about other peculiarities of the people of Ijebu.
RELIGION
Majority of the people of ijebu belongs to the set of traditionalists who are mostly members of the Oshugbo(Ogboni) fraternity. These sets are responsible for the various festivals in Ijebuland. A member of the cult is mostly known by their flagrant attires which usually consists a large wrapper, two itagbe(woolen shawls which bears the fraternity's name) on the shoulder and a headgear.
Source
The other minorities practices Islam which is the sole reason for the Agemo festival. Sallah celebration is one to reckon with amongst the Muslim Ijebus.
HAPPY PEOPLE
During my stay in Ijebu Ode, I noticed the evident happiness in the lifestyles of this wonderful tribe. It is a validity that people who celebrates a lot are happier. Their happiness is infectious, so is their smiles and lifestyles. A typical Ijebu person doesn't worry about what tomorrow holds but rather glory in the providence of today. They are grateful people who repays favors done them. How can happiness elude such?
COMMON STEREOTYPED VIEWS ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF IJEBU
It was believed that the people of Ijebu has existed as far back the biblical days as Jebusites of Canaanland in the days of King David ( I sincerely, can't affirm the originality of this, history has it).
It is widely assumed the ijebus loves money and are frugal when it comes to giving (absolutely irrational thought)
Some schools of thoughts, believed that the Ijebus may have likely emanated from some parts of Sudan, others believed they migrated from Mecca.
The Ijebus are Party Maniacs ( This is no assumption at all, I confirmed it myself)
The Ijebus don't speak the Yoruba language ( This is a blantant lie! They speak Yoruba language but rather in a peculiar way)
The Ijebus are fetish people ( I believe everyone has a right to chose their religions and practices)
In summary, with or without assumptions, the Ijebu people of Nigeria are about the most wonderful people we could come across in our day to day interactions. We should endeavor to stop stereotyping this people even before knowing them. The Ijebu way of acknowledging each other goes thus;
"E we so, Ara Ijebu rem'wa" or "Eweso Omo Alare"
Both translates
"I hail my fellow Ijebu people, the antecedents of the great Alare"
I hope you have been able to learn extensively about the people of Ijebu.
You can check my writeup about the People of Ibadan Here
Thanks for reading through....
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