Egba people

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This article is about a subgroup of the Yoruba people in western Nigeria. For European Gaming and Betting Association, see EGBA.

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Not to be confused with Igbo people.

History

The Egba group originally under the Oyo Empire became independent following the spectacular collapse of Oyo in the first half of the 19th century. Wars with the Dahomey, in which the Egbas were successful partly due to the protection afforded by the Olumo Rock, led to the founding of the city of Abeokuta, which literally means "under the rock".

The Egba nation is made up of the following sub-divisions - the Ake, Owu, Oke Ona and Gbagura and Ibara each with its own king. During colonial rule the British recognised the Alake (or King of Ake) as the paramount ruler of the whole clan and their territory, and so, his successor is referred to as the Alake of Egbaland now. The titles of the kings of the aforementioned sub-divisions are therefore Alake of Egbaland, Oshile of Oke Ona,Agura of Gbagura", "Olowu of Owu and "Olubara of Ibara" in order of settlement and seniority in Egba nation. It is worthy of note that the original town and settlement of the Egba nation was under and around Olumo rock, which is in Ikija/Ikereku area of the Egba Oke Ona. The Jagunna of Itoko, is the Chief Priest of Olumo. The area in Ikija, which is Oke Ona, is only an amusement park created as an entrance to the park. The entire Olumo Rock is in the territory of, and under the control of the Itokos. Another reference name for Abeokuta by the founding fathers is Oko Adagba (Adagba's Farm or Bush) in reference to the hunter that founded / discovered Olumo rock. Adagba went hunting in search of game animal / food from the Obantoko township where his fellow Itoko citizens were stationed while wandering for a settlement. Egbaland was not only where Henry Townsend lived but also boasted of being the home of the first newspaper in Nigeria ("Iwe Irohin"). Its people serve as the first of the many Nigerian nations (until recently, the only of them) to have had an anthem.

Egba Anthem

Lori oke o'un petele Ibe l'agbe bi mi o Ibe l'agbe to mi d'agba oo Ile ominira

Chorus: Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo; Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo

Abeokuta ilu Egba N ko ni gbagbe e re N o gbe o l'eke okan mi Bii ilu odo oya Emi o f'Abeokuta sogo N o duro l'ori Olumo Maayo l'oruko Egba ooo Emi omoo Lisabi E e

Chorus: Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo; Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo

Emi o maayo l'ori Olumo Emi o s'ogoo yi l'okan mi Wipe ilu olokiki o L'awa Egba n gbe


Chorus: Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo; Maa yo, maa yo, maa yo o; l'Ori Olumo

There are some other songs that the egba people sing, here is one of them:

Egba ile ibe nigbagbo ti se wa, Egba ile ibe nigbagbo ti se wa

Awa Egba lo ni jesu o

Here goes another short one

Awa lo mo abeokuta, ilu rere ilu olola

ilu to duro lase oluwa, Egba omo lisabi.

People

Traditional Attire

Men *Trousers, kembe/sokoto; *Top, Buba and Agbada; *cap, Fila (a beti aja)

Women *Wrapper, Iro; *Top, Buba; *Headgear, Gele; *Others - Ipele - Piece of cloth placed on the shoulder or wrapped around the waist

Food *Lafu, (White Amala) and Ewedu soup;badan

Literature

  • S. O. Biobaku: The Egba and their neighbours; 1842 - 1914. Oxford 1957.
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