Obolo people

The Obolo (Andoni) people, part of the Obolo state, of Rivers,Abia,and Akwa Ibom States, of Nigeria, are an Ijaw sub-ethnic group with strong historical relations with Oron people of Niger Delta in Nigeria. The Andoni people refer to God as Awaji or Owaji.[1]

Historically, the Andoni (Idoni or Indo before the colonial era had commercial contacts with European traders and with other neighbouring Ijaw clans, such as the Bonny, Okrika, Kalabari, Nkoro, Ette people of present Ikot-Abasi as well as the Okoro-utip and Mkpanak people of Ibeno. The people frequently fought wars with the Bonny and Ogoni people.

The Obolo people speak Obolo as the only native language. Obolo language is a distinct language based on the original Ijaw intonation. Though it contains a few words borrowed from the language of its neighbors like Efik/Ibibio, Oron, and other Ijaw dialects, statistical provisions clearly mark Obolo out as originating from greater antiquity than its other neighbours of the region. It is one of the four language the European explorers met with in the Niger Delta area about six centuries ago. [2]

Andoni villages and towns are situated on islands. Thus, Island I comprises Ngo Town, Akaradi province Ikuru Town, Okoroboile, Unyeangala, Asukama, Agana, Egwede, Ayamboko Town Agwut-Obolo, Agbauchima, Ilotombi, Ekede and stretched to Oyorokoto, the largest fishing settlement in Rivers State. Island II includes Asarama Town, Unyeada, Egendem and other small villages and Island III has Ebukuma Town, Okoloile, Agbalek-Ama(Agbalama), Mbuban, Ama Ubulom, Ama Ngere Nkpon, Otako, Okorobo-Ile, Down Below, Asuk-Oyet, Ama Esuuk, Ama jaba, and several other smaller villages. In fact, it is believed that Island Three stands at the centre of Andoni as it is the link between Island One and Two. Island Four includes four major communities - Dema, Ibotirem, Samanga and Ajakajak, Dema being the largest. Across this stretch of land are parts of Ogoni. Other towns of Andoni that are situated on Island includes, Ataba Town , Oron-Ijah, Egbomun, Ajakajak, Ibot-Irem, Isiodum, Inyon-Oron, lwoma-asarama, Afaradigi, Emenudung, Asarama-ija and many smaller fishing ports. Aerial view of these island display a sort of shattered constellation on the surface of water.

There is a historical strong link between the Oron and the Andoni people.

The Andoni people are the fiercest warriors in the Niger Delta, they have fought many wars with the Ogonis yet the two communities remained best of friends. The Andoni (Obolo) also migrated and settled in various parts of Niger Delta and West Africa including Ibeno and Oron in Akwa Ibom, Andoni, Kala-Ido and Ogoloma in Okrika and Kalabari in Rivers State, also Igbere in Abia State. The Andoni people are very cultural, among the key towns are Ngo (Gogo), Ebukuma, Ikuru (Ama Ikwut), Ataba, Ekede, Agwut-Obolo, Okorombokho, Okoroete, Iko, Elile and Amadaka (Eastern Obolo axis), Asarama, Unyeada, Dema and Ilotombi and so many more.

The Nwantam masquerade of Andoni celebrated every first January is one of the highlights of Obolo festivities, which they share with the Opobo, Nkoro, and Bonny. Their ancient practices includes a writing system known as nsibidi, ofiokpo cult, ngbegbengbe and the war dance. The fishing festival is special and percular to UNYEADA PEOPLE OF ANDONI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.

almost all parts of Andoni tribe can be reached by road and all can be reached by sea.It can now be easily reached by Road transportation.

It is rich in wildlife (elephants, monkeys, species of pythons, tortoise etc. and Mineral resources. It is a potential tourist location in Rivers State.

Languages

In Obolo, Ngo is the prestige language. It is the central dialect, hence the Obolo Bible and other literatures are written in this language.

The Obolo people commonly address themselves as Egbe or une. Egbe means Tiger in simple English Translation. But the Obolo meaning and interpretation of the word Egbe, is warrior, strong and fearless brave people while une means my friend. Ephraim Jerry