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INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE KALABARIS

Kalabari is a tribe of the Ijaw people of Rivers state living in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. They migrated from the Benin fringes of Ijaw land and became a large kingdom of about 35 communities/settlements including Abonemma, Buguma, Bakana, Tombia, ke, Soku, Bille, Bukuma, Degema, Obonoma, Sama, Abalama, Ilelema and others. The people were originally fishermen before the coming of the Portugese to the west African coastline. The Kalabari like most coastline tribes were wealthy as a result of interactions with Europeans.

The kalabaris share similar culture/language to the Okrikas, Bonny, Opobo, Bayelsa Ijaws (Nembe in particular as the language is almost the same), Delta Ijaws, Ondo Ijaws and some parts of Edo state. It was discovered that in the 1980s, that a nearly extinct Berbice Dutch/KALABARI LANGUAGE was spoken in Central America. Guyana to be precise (click on the link to watch).

The kalabaris do bear European names (Briggs, Horsfall, Jack, Harry, West, Braide etc) due to their inter- racial relations with their slave-trade partners. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE KALABARI-IJAW HAVE NEVER BEEN SLAVES. Kalabari, Opobo and Bonny were the first to trade with the whites in Rivers state alongside Okrika and Andoni. Many of them do have light skin due to European mixtures.. They engaged in overland trade with the Portugese in the 1400s, later Dutch, then British whom arrived by sea for trade and missionary work. They also traded clothes from India. Since the early 1800s, The Europeans noted that the Kalabaris refused to trade their goods on credit. Their industrial prowess coupled with their lovable demenor has won the admirations from surrounding communities of the Niger delta.

The Kalabari constitute one of the largest ethnic groups in Rivers State with 3 LGAs and they are the largest Ijaws in terms of population in the state.. They constitute almost a million (90% of people based in Akulga, Asalga and Degema are indigenes, so the 2006 population census results states..(AKULGA:156,006 , ASALGA:220,110 , DEGEMA:249,773)..626000 altogether excluding the population of kalabaris based in Phalga LGA, Obioakpor LGA, LGAs in the state, indigenes outside Rivers State and diaspora.. Majority of Kalabari people stay at the PHALGA (Portharcourt old township, Borokiri, marine base, Dline, Diobu, Iwofe, Aggrey, Eagle island etc.) axis of Port Harcourt.

The kalabaris are highly educated and have the love for western education. They are known to have a high concentration of Professors, Lawyers and Doctors in Nigeria.. Because of their civilized and generally peaceful behaviour, the kalabaris were called English men in the past..

NOTABLE PEOPLE
Agbani Darego… First black African to win miss world

Jimi Rex Lawson… High life musician.

Dabota Lawson... Ex beauty queen(Miss Nigeria UK)

Asari Dokubo.. Human right activist

Tonye Graham Douglas… Politician

Albert Horsfall… Former SSS Boss

Dumo Lulu Briggs.. politician

Chief Dr Hutton.. Antropologist

Prof. (Hajia) Duke ... Astute Academic & Politician

Taribo West… Ex footballer

Ian Whyte ....... Legendary DJ (worldwide)

Prof. Tam David West… politician and many others..

KALABARI TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE:

This occurs in 3 forms namely; IYA, IGWA and WARRIBIOBESIME. The IYA is the most lawful and highest form of kalabari marriages. In this marriage, divorce is not permitted and the offspring belongs to the man’s house. An IYA marriage is not complete until the BIBIFE ceremony(buying the mouth) is undertaken. The BIBIFE signifies 3 things. First, a stage in a lawful marriage which gives the bride the right to eat in the husband’s house. Second, it signifies the man’s responsibility towards the wife and his willingness to feed her for the rest of her life.

Finally, it signifies and crowns the new communion between the 2 families. It involves serving the bride with innumerable courses of food., usually in the evenings. Thus, the bride is dressed with coral accessories, crown and chunky coral beads.

THE OWU ARU SUN FESTIVALS OF THE KALABARI KINGDOM:

This is a festival of unity in Buguma and it draws visitors from far and near to the Kalabari kingdom in Rivers State. It is performed by the Ekine Sekiapu society and it’s the famous and most outstanding masquerade in the history of the kingdom. Previous editions were held in 1908, 1927, 1973 and 1991 and 2009.

KALABARI DELICACIES:

TOMINA FULO: This is a kalabari soup prepared using fresh fish and sea food. Cocoyam is usually used to thicken the soup.

ONUNU: This is another delicacy prepared by pounding boiled plantain with yam. It is then finished off with palm oil.

WARNING
The public are hereby warned to be on their guard when visiting a Kalabari' s person's home because the Kalabari person is mostly likely to keep offering you one food after the other, thereby leading to over-feeding.

Previously, and possibly up until the early 1990's, the new mothers, as well as new brides are kept in what is known as a 'Fattening-Room', the person is fed continuously and is not allowed to lift a finger to do any form of work during this period. Other cultures have been known to openly show their jealousness over this unique Kalabari behaviour.

It was this 'Fattening-Room' enjoyment that inspired my uncle and legendary Highlife Music exponent - Cardinal Rex Lawson to sing the famous "Atabala-woman" super hit in the late 1960's.

NB:
I can confirm that the Kalabaris were NEVER slaves to anyone.

The term 'slave-masters' reflects the fact that the Kalabaris had a lot of different trading partners who were referred to as "slave-masters" due to the fact that as soon as they arrived, someone will run to the trader and shout your slave-master (meaning the new master for the slaves you have) has arrived.

To further confirm that they were the sole trading partners with a particular white trader, the Kalabari trader allows people to call them their white partner's names. It stuck .

With such an arrangements, when their particular partner arrives, only that trader can do any trading with them.

This perhaps explains the origin of these names in Kalabari-land.

Once again, the Kalabaris were never slaves, rather they were (and are still) very fierce warriors.

APPEAL:

This post is not by any means the full and final position on Kalabari history, rather it is an attempt to bring the Kalabari culture to the forefront of our present day.

I DO NOT have any form of monopoly on the history of Kalabari.

I will humbly concede to all superior knowledge.

This post is a 'Continuum' and as such is a never-ending story where others are invited to contribute.

IF you know the right history and keep quiet, then do not blame others for any wrong 'projections' of our Kalabari culture & history.

Omiete...... !!!

Seleipiri Ishmaila..

KEN SARO-WIWA’S 10 FAMOUS QUOTES

1.➡️I am more dangerous dead than alive.

2. ➡️I’ve used my talents as a writer to enable the Ogoni People to confront their tormentors. I was not able to do it as a politician or a businessman. My writing did it. I think I have the moral victory.

3. ➡️As we subscribe to the sub-normal and accept double standards, as we lie and cheat openly, as we protect injustice and oppression, we empty our classrooms, denigrate our hospitals, fill our stomachs with hunger and elect to make ourselves the slaves of those who ascribe to higher standards

4. ➡️The writer cannot be a mere storyteller; he cannot be a mere teacher; he cannot merely x-ray society’s weaknesses, its ills, its perils. He or she must be actively involved shaping its present and its future.

5. ➡️I tell you this, I may be dead but my ideas will not die.

6. ➡️The men who ordain and supervise this show of shame, this tragic charade, are frightened by the word, the power of ideas, the power of the pen.

7.➡️ I have no doubt about the ultimate success of my cause no matter the trials and tribulations which I and those who believe with me may encounter on our journey. Neither imprisonment nor death can stop our ultimate victory.

8.➡️In this country (England], writers write to entertain, they raise questions of individual existence, but for a Nigerian writer in my position, you can’t go into that. Literature has to be combative.

9.➡️ Whether I live or die is immaterial. It is enough to know that there are people who commit time, money and energy to fight this one evil among so many others predominating worldwide. If they do not succeed today, they will succeed tomorrow.

10.➡️ Today is a "Black Day For A Black Man"

Copied.

November 10 2021 makes it the 26 years since his murder. Join in the celebrations.

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List of ethnic groups in Nigeria

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Nigeria is a very ethnically diverse state with over 250 ethnic groups and over 500 languages.[1]

Ethnicity in Nigeria (2020)[2]

Hausa (20.4%)

Yoruba (18%)

Igbo (9%)

Fulani (19%)

Ibibio (2.8%)

Tiv (2.2%)

Ijaw (2%)

Kanuri (1.7%)

Others (23%)

List of ethnic groupsEdit

The following is a non-exhaustive list of ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Name of Ethnic GroupStateUwanno (Weppa-Wanno)Edo StateAbayonCross River StateAbua (Odual)Rivers StateAchipa(Achipawa)Kebbi StateAdara (Kadara)Kaduna State, Niger StateAffadeYobe StateAfizerePlateau StateAfo (Eloyi)Nasarawa StateAgboCross River StateAkaju-Ndem (Akajuk)Cross River StateAkweya-YachiBenue StateAlago (Arago)Nasarawa StateAmoPlateau StateAnagutaPlateau StateAnangAkwa Ibom StateAndoniAkwa Ibom State, Rivers StateAniomaDelta State, Edo State, Anambra State, Rivers StateAnkweiPlateau StateAnyimaCross River StateAtyap(Kataf/Katab, Attakar, Kagoro, Kafanchan, Marwa/Manchok)Kaduna StateAuyoka (Sub-Hausa)Jigawa StateAworiLagos State, Ogun StateAyuKaduna StateBabur (Pabir)/BuraAdamawa State, Borno State, Taraba State, Yobe StateBachamaAdamawa StateBachereCross River StateBadaPlateau StateBadeYobe StateBaggara ArabsBorno StateBahumonoCross River StateBakulungTaraba StateBaliTaraba StateBambora (Bambarawa)Bauchi StateBambukoTaraba StateBajju (Kaje, Kajji)Kaduna StateBanda (Bandawa)Taraba StateBanka (Bankalawa)Bauchi StateBanso (Panso)Adamawa StateBara (Barawa)Bauchi StateBarkeBauchi StateBaruba (Batonu)Kwara State, Niger StateBashiri (Bashirawa)Plateau StateBassaKaduna State, Kogi State, Niger State, Plateau StateBattaAdamawa StateBaushiNiger StateBayaAdamawa StateBekwarraCross RiverBele (Buli, Belewa)Bauchi StateBerom (Birom)Plateau StateBetso (Bete)Taraba StateBetteCross River StateBileiAdamawa StateBi

List of ethnic groups in Nigeria

INTELLECTUAL BURIAL.

The burial of Prof, DVC Andaje Mwisukha. His casket was held by PhD graduates, only Masters Holders were allowed near the grave, degree graduates conducted the ceremony, degree undergraduates served the guests. The DJ was a Diploma Holder from KU Ruiru Campus. The grave was dug by certificate holders.

RIVLANFIEST 2020

The Rivers Language Fiesta organized by the RIVERS STATE INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION(RILTA) on Saturday 5th December at Niger Niger-Delta Peace TVNiger-Delta Peace TVNiger-Delta Peace TV at the premises of Souls Ablaze Ministries International recorded diverse performances in culture, language quiz and nativity pageant.

In their remarks, the foundimg president DR AGWNU Justice Richard Ovuchi JP and Planning committee chairman cm PRO of the group High Chief Dr. Osaro Ollorwi extolled the event as an end of year outing to promote our proud socio cultural heritage under God.

Presentation of certificates to participating language groups and award of ABUA and Goldenlight as Best and 1st position while BILLE and Community SecondarySchool Bille got the overall 2nd position.

Mother of the day Mrs Sokari Davies of the Rivers State Ministry of Educatiom admonished the group not to relent as this is the need of the hour in this generation.

RIVERS LANGUAGE FIESTA 2020 WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!
=================

Come enjoy at IKWEFEST:Ikwerre Festival of Arts&Culture = sat 28th nov. 2020. Obiri Ikwere. 10am

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