Isoko people

{{Short description|Ethnic group in the Niger Delta, Nigeria}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=August 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox ethnic group | group = Isoko | image = Uniben-Jeune fille isoko.jpg | image_caption = Isoko girl | total = 1,000,000 | total_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12266/NI|title=Isoko in Nigeria|website=Joshua Project|access-date=14 February 2019}}</ref> | regions = Isoko region (Nigeria) | languages = Isoko | religions = Christianity and Traditional African religions | related_groups = Urhobo, Benin, Esan, Afemai | native_name = | native_name_lang = | total_source = Estimate }}

thumb|Isoko mask The '''Isokos''' are an ethnolinguistic group who inhabit the Isoko region of Delta State and Bayelsa State, Nigeria.<ref>[https://www.jstor.org/stable/1155529 The Isoko Tribe], James W. Welch</ref> They are people of southern Nigeria, near the northwestern Niger delta.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isoko {{!}} people {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Isoko |access-date=11 April 2022 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> They speak the Isoko language – a language of the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo family.<ref name=":0"/>

The Isoko culture is related to several cultures in the Niger-Delta – namely the Urhobo, Ijaw and Anioma.<ref>[https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/isoko-culture-a-brief-walk-into-the-lives-of-one-of-nigerias-finest-tribe/yr1j4qz.amp Isoko Culture: A brief walk into the lives of one of Nigeria's finest tribe] (2020-02-23). ''Pulse.ng''.</ref> The Urhobo are closely related in language and culture, leading to the invaders erroneously labelling the Urhobo and Isoko cultural groups as Sobo.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Isoko {{!}} people |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Isoko |access-date=11 June 2021 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> This name was strongly rejected by both tribes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isoko Kingdom in Delta Nigeria Guide |url=https://www.nigeriagalleria.com/Nigeria/States_Nigeria/Delta/History-of-Isoko-Kingdom-in-Delta-State.html |access-date=17 September 2021 |website=www.nigeriagalleria.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite thesis|last=Tobor|first=John Oghenero|date=2014|title=Urhobo Culture and the Amnesty Program in Niger Delta, Nigeria: An Ethnographic Case Study|url=https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1127&context=dissertations|publisher=Walden University|volume=|pages=|via=}}</ref>

The Isoko tribal group consist of nineteen clans – namely Uzere, Ozoro, Erowha, Owhe, Iyede, Okpe, Emede, Igbide, Emevor, Ofagbe, Ellu, Oyede, Umeh, Irri, Aviara, Olomoro, Enwhe, Okpolo and Oleh.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Okpevra |first=Uwomano Benjamin |date=19 August 2020 |title=A discourse on the history and identity of the Isoko of the Niger Delta of Nigeria |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14725843.2020.1804828 |journal=African Identities |volume=19 |issue=4 |language=en |pages=536–553 |doi=10.1080/14725843.2020.1804828 |s2cid=225394849 |issn=1472-5843|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Notable people== *Obaro Ikime, Professor of History, University of Ibadan *Stella Omu, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria *Jonathan Akpoborie, Nigerian international footballer *D'Prince, Afropop singer *Victor Ikpeba, Nigerian international footballer and brand ambassador *Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Senator currently representing Delta South *Zeb Ejiro, Veteran Film Maker *Chico Ejiro, Veteran Film Maker * Eva Alordiah, rap musician<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elohor Eva Alordiah, Musician, Recording Artist, Nigeria Personality Profiles |url=https://www.nigeriagalleria.com/Nigeria/Personality-Profiles/Musicians/Eva-Alordiah.html |access-date=11 September 2021 |website=www.nigeriagalleria.com}}</ref> * Fred Amata, actor<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fred Amata |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1676074/ |access-date=11 September 2021 |website=IMDb}}</ref> * Jeta Amata, filmmaker<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 June 2021 |title=Filmmaker Jeta Amata raises the alarm over whereabouts of ex-wife |url=https://punchng.com/filmmaker-jeta-amata-raises-alarm-over-whereabouts-of-ex-wife/ |access-date=11 September 2021 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref> * Bovi, comedian<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bovi Ugboma, Actor, Comedian, Nigeria Personality Profiles |url=https://www.nigeriagalleria.com/Nigeria/Personality-Profiles/Comedians/Bovi.html |access-date=11 September 2021 |website=www.nigeriagalleria.com}}</ref> * Patience Oghogho Maseli, first female Deputy Director of Upstream Division at the Department of Petroleum Resources * Evi Edna Ogholi, reggae musician<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 February 2020 |title=EVI EDNA OGOLI -Biography |url=https://enorecordsllc.com/evi-edna-ogoli-biography/ |access-date=11 September 2021 |website=Enorecords LLC |language=en |archive-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922180616/https://enorecordsllc.com/evi-edna-ogoli-biography/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Orezi, musician<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 June 2019 |title=Talent without money a waste of time - Orezi |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/06/talent-without-money-a-waste-of-time-orezi/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=11 September 2021 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-US}}</ref> * Daddy Showkey, garala singer<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daddy Showkey Rewards Outstanding Students In Ajegunle – KapitalFM 92.9 Abuja |url=https://kapital929.fm/ajegunle-soldier-daddy-showkey-rewards-outstanding-students-hood/ |access-date=11 September 2021 |website=kapital929.fm}}</ref> * Masai Ujiri, President and former GM of the Toronto Raptors<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rush |first=Curtis |title=Future Remains Uncertain For Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/curtisrush/2021/05/19/future-remains-uncertain-for-toronto-raptors-president-masai-ujiri/ |access-date=11 September 2021 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> * Solid Star, musician<ref>{{Citation |last=(Musician) |first=Coco Solid |title=Denim & leisure : Coco & Erik remixes 02-05 |date=2006 |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/156760207 |publisher=Coco Solid |oclc=156760207 |access-date=11 September 2021}}</ref> * Samuel Oboh, Canadian architect<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2015 |title=Samuel Oboh inducted as the 76th President of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada |url=https://www.canadianarchitect.com/samuel-oboh-inducted-as-the-76th-president-of-the-royal-architectural-institute-of-canada/ |access-date=11 September 2021 |website=Canadian Architect |language=en-US}}</ref> *Cornelius Adam Igbudu (1914-1981), founder of the Anglican Adam Preaching Society *Ogaga Ifowodo, human rights activist, lawyer, and writer *Moses James, Boxer, Olympic medalist 1992, two time world boxing champion. * Paul Ufuoma Omu (July 1940 – 29 April 2025), Nigerian Major General, politician, and former Military Governor of South-Eastern State (1975–1978). * Gen. Alexander Ogomudia, retired Nigerian Army general who served as Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria from 2003 to 2006 and Chief of Army Staff from 2001 to 2003.

==See also== *Anglican Adam Preaching Society

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/296289/Isok Isoko information] * [http://www.isokonewyork.org/history.html Isoko History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208060401/http://www.isokonewyork.org/history.html |date=8 February 2015 }} - information about Isoko Society by Hon. Chief Clement O. Akugha ==Further reading== *{{cite web|url=https://www.edoworld.net/The_Benins_In_Diaspora_Isoko.html|title=The history of Isoko people|publisher=EdoWorld.net|access-date=2024-10-22|archive-date=2024-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424211404/https://www.edoworld.net/The_Benins_In_Diaspora_Isoko.html|url-status=dead}}

{{Ethnic groups in Nigeria}}

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Category:Ethnic groups in Nigeria