24/02/2022
Etsakọ people are the majority ethnic group in the northern region of Edo State, Nigeria. They are historically linked to the ancient Benin kingdom. Administratively, they presently occupy three local government areas of Edo State; these are Etsako East, Etsako West and Etsako Central, with Agenebode, Auchi, and Fugar, as their administrative headquarters, respectively[1]
The people of Owan are also referred to as Etsako. The Etsako, Owan, and Akoko-Edo people are often referred to as the Afenmai (Edo north), a land of warriors occupying the sprawling hills and valleys of Northern Edo state, that were derogatorily tagged kukuruku people by the invading colonialist, in memory of the rallying "battle cry" code-sound of the people. Afenmai people have close linguistic and historical relationship.[2] Local tradition of origin often trace their migration from Benin, which many oral traditionalists attribute probably to have happened around the 14th century BC. It is believed their ancestors must have settled in South Ibie before groups started moving to populate the other area they occupy like the Weppa Wanno lands, Okpella land, uzaurue, etc.[citation needed][3]
Etsako is one of the three major ethnic groups in today's Edo State, and the most populous ethnic group in Edo North. The loyalty of an Etsako man firstly is to his home/homestead, Village, Clan, tribe, and ethnic group. Also strong affinity between the Etsako people and their neighbors can be deduced in some customary rites, borrowed words, and even migration pattern. A good example is the "Agenebode" myth of the Idah Igala who believe that the early founder or ruler of Idah was "Agenebode". This coincidence is worthy of further Historical elucidation since the mighty River Niger divides Idah in present-day Kogi State and Agenebode in Edo State.[4]
