In this article, platinumtimes.ng documents a concised history and facts about the Igede ethnic group in Benue State, Nigeria.
Among the ethnic groups in Benue State, the Igede stands out as one of the most cultured.
Their social life is built on core values and ethics such as honesty, hard work, tolerance, sacrileges and equality.
The Igede people are mostly dark skinned with no visible tribal marks.
They are the third largest ethnic group in Benue State and constitute about 300,000 to 500,000 of the total population of Nigeria with their languages spoken in Cross River State, Benue and Ekiti State.
Igede History
Their origin can be narrowed down to Sabon Gida Ora in present-day Edo state. They are said to be the descendants of Agba, a high chief in Sabon Gida Ora.
The migration of the Igede people from their original homeland to the present day Benue State was because of a dispute between the Igede and the natives of Ora.
Location
The Igede people can be found in Cross River State, Benue State and Ekiti State sharing boundaries with Idoma, Tiv in Benue State; Ekajuk, Yala, Ezekwe in Cross River State; Izzirsrte in Ebonyi state.
Language
Igede people of Benue state speak the language called ‘Igede language.’
The Igede language is a member of the Niger-Congo languages and the Benue-Congo subgroup family.
Occupation
The Igede are mostly farmers, potters and warriors. They mostly cultivating maize, cassava, groundnut and yams.
Yam remains the most beneficial and economical crop of the Igede people especially when it is pounded.
Igede Attire
The traditional attire of the Igede people is made of a beautiful blend of three colors, blue signifying purity and unity, White signifying peace and black signifying Agriculture. This attire is used in festivals , marriage and ceremonies in Igede land.
Children in Igede land are often nude from birth till their adolescence (the time when they were considered to have something to hide) but they make use of ornaments like beads around the waist for medical reasons.
Beliefs
The Igede people believe in God and gods. The supreme God is called Ohe (“great spirit”); Ohe created the world and everything in it and is associated with all things on Earth.
They also place a high regard on male children (anyi aleng) as custodians of culture and inhabitants of the family who sustains the family lineage. Women are not allowed to own landed properties in Igede custom.
Cuisines
Food is a necessary aspect of the Igede culture of the Igede people. The various food incudes yam (iju), foofoo (akpu), banbaranut (egbeyi) and pounded yam.
Festivals
The most outstanding festival that makes the Igede people unique is the New yam festival (Igede Agba).
The New Yam festival (Igede Agba) is celebrated annually to mark the bountiful harvest season.