FACTS ABOUT THE IGEDE PEOPLE

Facts about the Igede People

The Igede people are not only found in Benue state. The popular idea is that the Igede are an ethno- linguistic group primarily found in the western areas of Benue State, Nigeria. This is because they are the third largest group in the state and occupy 2 local government areas (L.G.A.’s) which include:, Obi, Oju . Aside from the western parts of benue, this tribe have sparse settlements in other parts of the state and country, including gwer-west and konshisha L.G.A's,
Ebonyi, Ekiti and Cross Rivers States. 

1. AKPAN: The Igede people strongly believe in the ‘ Akpan spirit’ With the advent of Christianity and other foreign religions, the traditional belief systems of most ethnic groups in the country has been influenced by western practices. However, a majority of the Igede people still believe strongly in the Akpan, which is seen as a link between the living and the dead. The Igede have strong attachment to the worship of Akpan- spirit of the ancestors which is believed to stand as an invisible watch dog of the family and communities while checkmating vices like adultery, theft and murder. 

2. LANGUAGE DIVERSITY Classified as a minority ethnic group and often mistaken to be part of the Idoma tribe, the Igede people are known for one language – Igede. Where 2006 population figures stand at an estimated 267,198 people. However, a large number of Igede people are dispersed across the state and the Nation. For instance, the, varied dialects have over time emerged from the umbrella of this mother-tongue and they include; Ito, Oju, Uwokwu, (Central Igede) chiefly spoken by the Oju and Obi LGA. Others are Itekpa, Gabu Idele, Worku in yala LGA of Cross River State. 

3. SOUP: The Beneseed Soup (Oho Nyi Ehia) and Ibehi Soup (Melon Soup aka Egusi Soup). The Igede people are known for their love of food, as there is an annual food festival (Igede Agba) in Benue State to celebrate new yam and the various traditional cuisines. Most popular among their delicacies is the Oho Nyi'Ehia soup which is made with the peculiar Beni seed plant, bush meat and many other ingredients. 

4.TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION; The traditional head of the Igede people used to be called Ad’Utu until the passing of Chief Ikande Idikwu. After his death, there was crisis over the succession to the throne. At a point, state government, as a of restoring peace in the land and temporarily solve the dispute over the seat, created the Ad’Oju and Ad’Obi chieftaincy stools. These stools are neither classified as First Class nor Second Class, but the occupants merely assist the Och’Idoma, who is the paramount ruler of all Idoma people, including the Igede. Currently, Augustine Egbere Ogbu is the Ad’Oju , while the Ad’Obi is Chief Cyril Okwute. However, there is an ongoing agitation for a First Class Igede Chieftaincy stool and the people are gearing up to mount pressure on the benue state administration for the upgrading of Igede chieftaincy stool to a First Class Chief. 

 

5. IGEDE AGBA-NEW YAM FESTIVAL; Like the Igbo, Igede people celebrate the annual New Yam festival, called Igede Agba. For its significance, Igede Agba is a cultural event, which comes up every first Ihigile market days of every first week of September.

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