JHMS, Vol. 4, No. 1, June 2018 Leonard & Ishaq Igala-Ebira Relations, 1800 -1900 Abu Leonarda & Suleiman Bilal Ishaq Abstract Inter-Group Relations is as old as human society. This study attempts to examine historical factors that contributed in fostering inter-group relations among various ethnic groups of the Niger-Benue Confluence, with specific reference to the Igala and Ebira in North Central Nigeria. The choice of 19th and 20th centuries, as the chronological scope of the study, is basically important as it enables an assessment on their relationship before, during and after the post- colonial period. The study examines the history of origin and migration of the ethnic groups (Igala-Ebira), up to their present geographical location as well as the proximity factor as it affects inter-group relations in the Niger-Benue Confluence Areas in the aspects of migration, commerce, cultural dissemination, Agriculture amongst others. It also attempts to examine the consequences of these relations on the both ethnic groups. The paper also examined, in comparative terms, the changing intergroup relations among the Ebira and Igala during the 19th and 20th centuries. Introduction The term inter-group relations refer to both individual and collective interactions involving members of different groups and their behaviours in with either of groups at intra or inter organizational level. Sherif suggested that "whenever individuals belonging to one group interact collectively or individually with another group or it's member in terms of their group identification we have an instance of inter group behaviour".1 Inter group relations therefore, implies the existence of mutually exclusive groups due to the mode of their social bond, usually exhibit the 'we' attitude towards members of their mutual group exhibiting the 'they' attitude to the other members of the out group.2 Inter-group relation is dominating a substantial area of study in Nigerian historiography, but with reference to Ebira /Igala intergroup relation, this work will exploit the germane areas which the a Corresponding Author: Department of History and International Studies, Kogi State University, Anyigba, [email protected]. 140 JHMS, Vol. 4, No. 1, June 2018 Leonard & Ishaq two ethnic groups have related in overtime, more so, highlighting the consequences of their relativity as inter-group relations between the two ethnic group continues to manifest even in the modern era. The essence of discussing the tradition of origin of these two groups is in order to further illuminate readers and researchers in the field of history, as acknowledging the tradition of origin of these groups will avail them a cloudless picture and better comprehension of how Ebira and Igala related in the 19thand 20thcentury and to discern the changing inter-group relations among the ethnic groups over time. Geographical Location of Ebira Land Ebira land lie approximately between 60 and 100 north of latitude and between 60and 100 east longitude. Situated within a hilly sketch of land within the Niger Benue confluence area, it shares common boundaries with the Okun Yoruba to the west, Ogori, Ososo and other Akoko-Edo peoples to the south and south-west; the Hausas, Nope and Ebira groups at lokoja to the north and the River Niger to the east. Just across the river lives the Igala and Bassa Nge, Ebira land covers an approximate area of 2, 977 square kilometers.3 Ebiraland is located within the middle belt region of Nigeria which experience both the wet and dry seasons. Rainfall commence in most cases in the third week of March and end in the mid of November. It has a double maxima rainfall with a peak in July but heaviest in September. Between the maxima is the August break with considerably reduced rainfall. The break corresponds with the forest zone of Nigeria. Rainfall in Ebiraland is between 50inches to 60inches, while the mean annual rainfall in Okene, a principal town of the land.4 Geographical Location of Igala Land The area which forms Igala Kingdom lies geographically between 6.300 and 7.400 east of longitude.5 It covers an area of approximately 4.982 square, with a total population of 364,119(1962 census), 684,880 persons (1963 census).6 However, the 1991 population census and the projection of national population commission (NPC) 0ut the Igala population to approximately 2million people.7As at now (2019) the population could probably be estimated to be about 2.9million people making it about the 7th largest ethnic group in Nigeria. 141 JHMS, Vol. 4, No. 1, June 2018 Leonard & Ishaq The Igala kingdom is situated today in kogi state North Central Nigeria. It is the largest ethnic group in the state that has other ethnic groups like the Ebira, Okun Yoruba, Bassa Komos, the bassa Nge to mention but a few. However, it should be noted that the boundaries of Igalaland today do not coincide with the limits of the kingdom before the establishment of British colonial rule. The Igala Kingdom is today bounded on the North by Benue state, On the east by Enugu state, on the south by Anambra state and separated from Edo state by the river Niger on the western side.8 The ecology of Igala land is transitional between high forest and the coastal belt. The Kingdom has an average rainfall of 55 inches annually making it very suitable for the production of food crops such as cassava, maize, millet, yam.... Etcetera. It is equally favorable for cash crops such as palm trees and other economic tree like mahogany, Obeche Iroko etcetera. Traditions of Origin of the Ebira and Igala People There are varied and conflicting accounts about the origins of the Ebira Tao, also known as Ebira Ehi people what was however, never been in dispute was the fact that the Ebira along with their jukun brothers originally migrated from Egypt and the Sudan region. Attempt to trace the actual origin of the people have not been easy. The early works in this direction are full of conflicting claims and contradictions. What is however certain among scholars is that the various ethnic groups of the Ebira race were said to have migrated at various times before the first World War, about (circa 1500), to their present settlement which are respectively located in the states of Adamawa, Yobe, Taraba and Gondola among the jukuns, Plateau among the Nassarawas, Benue among the Igala- extraction of Itobe and Ajaokuta, Kwara and Kogi among the dominant Ebira Ebira Tao and Ebira koto people of Okene, Ajaokuta, Adavi, Okehi, Koton Karfe and lokoja Local government areas and Edo among the Igbirras in present-day Edo state of Nigeria.9 Like many ethnic groups in Africa the origin of the Igala people is in shrouded controversy. There are various traditions of origin linking the Igala people to Yoruba’s, Yemen Ethopia (Horn of Africa), Nile people etcetera. In an interview granted to the Editors of the Nigerian Magazine in 1961 by the former Attah of Igala Alhaji Aliyu Obaje CBE he stated that: …The first wave of migration into the country (Igala) seems to have taken place about 12th 142 JHMS, Vol. 4, No. 1, June 2018 Leonard & Ishaq century AD and was led by Amina, A Zaria princess and warrior who fought her way to Idah. She came with Hausa and Nupe followers whose descendants are assocuated with Jema'a and Ibo quarter in the town.10 The same traditional ruler granting another interview few years later said that the Igalas came from the Arab country of Yemen and were in the present Nigeria at the same time as the founding fathers of the Yorubas, the Jukuns and the Beriberis.11 On another occasion, in 1970 he told visiting students that “the Igalas came from Ethopia. He went further to say that there is a tribe or ethnic group in Ethiopia called ‘Galla'.12 Those versions are not an attempt to discredit the authority of Igala kingdom for many other theories exists, but to simply establish the myriad of complication involved in setting the case as to the possible origin of Igala people. Determinants of the Ebira-Igala Inter-Group Relations The numerous factors that had fostered co-existence among the Ebira and Igala has been largely neglected by various writers. Among the literatures latent and littering the academic space, on inter-group relations among communities in the confluence area, non-have written extensively on their various areas of relations. In view of the above, this work intended to explore the areas with the objective of turning searchlight on the significance and potentials of learning from historical experience in peaceful inter-ethnic co- existence/relations. A number of factors have significantly shaped the relations of the Ebiras and their Igala neighbours over time - these factors shall be considered euphemistically. Migration Migration which a common attribute of man fostered inter-group relations between the Igala and Ebira people. From time past, large influx of Ebira people into Igala land was observed. Thus, it can be attested to in the historical narration given by Habib13 “That the Ebiras having resented the central administration of the Jukun, decided to go in search for local self-rule and independence, as well as suitable farmland". Part of the sub-ethnic Ebira groups who migrated from kwararafa kingdom found their way to Idah. 143 JHMS, Vol. 4, No. 1, June 2018 Leonard & Ishaq Furthermore, historical evidences showed that: based on the premises that social interactions between people of diverse ethnic and cultural background could lead to integration, the Ebira people lived with their hosts in Idah peacefully. The Ebira got associated with various places or wards in Igala land and were assigned specific roles in palace administration, along with titles.