Nigeria is composed of over 250 ethnic groups, languages, and cultures majority of which are the Igbo, Hausa, and the Yoruba.
The multi-cultural and tribal nature of Nigeria is so diverse it would confuse a foreigner, and amongst these ethnic groups are several tribes too.
In this article, I will list out 5 Nigerian Tribes, where you can find them, and what’s unique to them.
1.) Awori – Lagos, Ogun
The Awori people are found in Ogun State and Lagos State, Nigeria. Towns including Isheri, Ota, Igbesa, Agbara, Ilobi, Tigbo are all Awori settlements within today’s Ogun State (created 1976) in Nigeria.
They are known for the use of Ifa oracle in the determination of certain issues and events such as date of festival, coronation ceremony, causes of state calamity is in practice among traditional believers.
2.) Birom – Plateau
The Birom people are the largest autochthonous ethnic group in Plateau State, central Nigeria. They cover about four local government areas, which include Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi (Gwol), and Riyom, Berom are also found in some southern Kaduna State local government areas.
Mandyeng is a major festival celebrated in the land to usher in the rainy season. In the past, it is regarded as the most vital festival which ensured good farming, hunting period and harvest, although not all the communities celebrate Mandyeng.
3.) Esan (Ishan) – Edo
The Esan people are an ethnic group of southern Nigeria who speak the Esan language. The Esan are traditionally known to be agriculturalists, trado-medical practitioners, mercenary warriors and hunters.
The people are predominantly farmers; they cultivate palm trees, cherry, bell pepper, kola nut, plantains and so on. There are also trado-medical practitioners among the people, as well as mercenary warriors and hunters.
4.) Efik -Cross River
The Efik are an ethnic group located primarily in southern Nigeria, and western Cameroon. Within Nigeria, the Efik can be found in the present-day Cross River State and Akwa Ibom state.
This is the tribe where, Six months before marriage, Efik girls are sent to the fattening room that they may be pampered with massages from head to toe; fed as much as they would like to eat to eat, and enlighten them on the ins and outs of marriage.
5.) Igalla – Kogi
The Igala are an ethnic group of Nigeria. Igala people are majorly found in Kogi state. They can be found in Idah, Igalamela/Odolu, Ajaka, Ofu, Olamaboro, Dekina, Bassa, Ankpa and Ajaokuta Local government all in Kogi state.
For the purpose of identification, infants from some parts of the kingdom, like Ankpa, receive three deep horizontal cuts on each side of the face, slightly above the corners of their mouths.
