Info For You Lot Awori People: Distinct Sub-Yoruba Coastal People Of Lagos State, Badagry Expanse Together With Osun State

The Awori are peaceful, coastal agro-fishery in addition to distinct Yoruboid-speaking people that forms a sub-ethnic grouping of the larger Yoruba people of West Africa, specially inward Nigeria in addition to Benin. The Awori are found inward large concentrated inward Ogun State in addition to Lagos State, Nigeria.

Zangbeto cultural troupe of Awori people of Badagryland

The Awori who are organized laid of people portion mutual cultural values inward varying degrees amongst other Yoruba in addition to Edo groups. Though the Awori are mainly Yoruba speakers, but due to trans-national in addition to inter-ethnic interactions, the bulk of the Awori Yoruba of coastal southwestern
Nigeria is bilingual, speaking the Yoruba in addition to Ogu languages (previously erroneously referred to equally Egun). Such Awori Yoruba peoples are found at Apa, Igbogbele, Iworo, amid others. The Ogu are also bilingual, speaking both the Ogu in addition to Yoruba languages in addition to they are found across coastal southward western Nigeria, Republic of Benin Republic, Togo in addition to Ghana. the Awori Ogu of the Badagry coastal surface area of southwestern Nigeria.

His Royal Highness Oba Gbedegbo I,1898 - 1920

The legendary hunter Ogunfunminire was their progenitor in addition to he traces his beginning or secondary affinity to Ile Ife, the cradle of Yoruba civilization in addition to civilization in addition to undoubtedly class. Ogunfunminire inward his go from Ile Ife starting fourth dimension founded Isheri amongst other migrants who were likely hunters similar him. According to Awori traditions, before migrating to Isheri, Ogunfunminiri consulted Ifa oracle which counseled the migration. It is said that Ogunfunminiri in addition to his friend Adeyemi Onikoye, also a groovy hunter left their habitation for a hunting expedition in addition to overstayed thereby absenting themselves from the funeral of their father. Their relations thinking them dead, lay their junior blood brother on the throne in addition to this annoyed the ii powerful princes when they arrived.

However, they were afraid of the groovy harm they mightiness drive if they produce upward one's hear to struggle hence, the Olofin took the calabash which was willed to him past times his groovy father. The tradition continued that he followed the motility of the ritual pot on H2O until it sank in addition to they settled inward the region. The elevate AWORI, translates equally "The plate sank". It was adopted equally the group`s elevate till today. The formation of Isheri was the nucleus of other Awori settlements such equally Iro, Ogudu, Agboyi, Ojo Ado-Ode,Ota etc. The establishment of Lagos Island, Eko past times Edo (Bini) human being Aromire would appear to receive got encouraged members of his immediate identify unit of measurement in addition to other Awori groups to settle inward other parts of Lagos Island such equally Itolo, Ikoyi, Iru. Ajiran, in addition to other parts of Lagos past times the Lagoon. While the Awori were consolidating their correspond on the Island in addition to it immediate vicinity, the Edo speaking people of Republic of Benin Kingdom founded a small town at Enu Owa, close their Awori brethren in addition to amongst time, their presence had profound upshot on the development of traditional establishment inward Lagos.

Sir Adeniji-Adele II, Oba of Lagos (1894-1964), Ruler in addition to Paramount Chief of Lagos.

Another tradition pointed out that Adeyemi Onikoye of Lagos (Bini or Edo small town formerly known equally Eko/Oko past times the Yoruba) was given inward the volition of their father, a crown of beads, Ifa Oracle Olokun deity, Awo Ipa, Osugbo in addition to the gods of his virile mortal parent Lakaba. On getting to Isheri, Adeyemi consulted Olokun the goddess of the sea who counseled some other migration for him in addition to he moved until he got to Ikoye.

Eyo masquerade of Awori people of Lagos. Circa 1912

It is clear that Awori people are conglomeration of Yoruba migrants. Fabuyi (1987) citing authors Agiri in addition to Barnes echoed this point: "There are potent indication that people right away known equally Awori correspond a long in addition to uneven motility of people from Ketu, Egbado, Oyo in addition to no doubt, other regions who were forced past times warfare in addition to slave raids in addition to this was occurring equally early on equally 14th in addition to 15th centuries prior to in addition to possibly extending into the same catamenia that saw Bini (Edo/Benin) March Southwards. (emphasis mine)
The Awori are distinguished past times iv main characteristics; the linguistic communication which is of Yoruba dialect, traditions of ancestral migration from Ile Ife, traditions of mutual descent from Oduduwa, the eponymous hero of the Yoruba in addition to traditions of consanguineous human relationship resulting from the ancestry of ruling classes in addition to cultural heritage equally good equally diffusion through migration in addition to interaction. Awori Yoruba dialect remained a uniform forcefulness amid the diverse groups; an Awori identifies himself amongst some other Awori past times greeting term "Kitigbe o?" (How are you?) in addition to the familiar answer is "O gbe re" (It is fine).
The Awori could last grouped into ii major divisions. These are the early on Awori in addition to the latter Awori groups. Among the early on Awori grouping of small town are Isheri, Otto-Olofin, Iddo, Ebute Metta, Apa, Ibereko equally good equally Otta in addition to Ado-Odo inward Ogun nation of Nigeria. H5N1 mutual characteristic of these settlements is that they were founded before 1500. They also receive got a related migratory history in addition to recognise Ogunfunminire equally their progenitor. The afterwards small town include Ojo, Itire, Mushin, Iba, Otto-Awori, Ijanikin, Ilogbo Elegba, Ilogbo-Eremi, Iworo, Agbara etc all of which are send service 1500 settlements.
It must last noted that inward Ogun State, the small town of the Awori people preceded the establishment of Abeokuta equally an Egba kingdom inward 1830. Otta, the firstly Awori town inside acquaint twenty-four hours Ogun State, which is also the State’s industrial nerve-centre, for instance, was already inward existence inward the 15th century. The starting fourth dimension crowned Oba at Ota was Oba Akinsewa Ogbolu inward 1621, spell the starting fourth dimension Alake inward Abeokuta, Sagbua Okekenu was crowned on eighth August 1854.
The Awori constitute the mass of the indigenous population of seventeen, out of the 20 local authorities areas of Lagos State equally at the twelvemonth 2003, the solely exceptions beingness Epe, Ikorodu in addition to Ibeju-Lekki amongst minimal Awori inhabitants. In these areas, they receive got developed many kingdoms in addition to chiefdoms.

Ogogo kulodo masquerade from Ota Awori inward Ogun State

On the other hand, the Badagry surface area is of import historically to Awori people because it is ane of the starting fourth dimension places to receive got had contact amongst the exterior world. It is, inward fact, commonly referred to equally the gateway to Christianity inward Nigeria, for it was at Badagry town that Christianity was starting fourth dimension preached inward Nigeria inward September 1842. Christmas was celebrated in that location on Dec 25 of that twelvemonth (Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I—the Akran of Badagry, 1994; Alabi, 1996). The starting fourth dimension storied edifice inward Nigeria was also built in that location inward 1845. The town also served equally an of import terminus during the trans-Saharan merchandise in addition to the notorious trans-Atlantic slave merchandise (Ogunremi et al., 1994).

Language
The Awori beak a distinct North-West Yoruba (NWY) dialect of Yoruboid languages that belong to the larger Niger-Congo linguistic communication group. The Awori equally a sub-group possesses a distinguished speech.

An anthropologist, W.G. Wormalin inward his Intelligence Report on the Badagry district of the colony (1935) gives a graphic description of the early on Awori when he writes that:
"They beak depression in addition to slurred dialect of the Yoruba language. They mostly engage inward farming in addition to fishing. Their lack of figure in addition to unity seems to receive got combined amongst the unfavourable nature of their habitat to homecoming them a ‘poor’ lot from the breeding holler for of sentiment amongst the exception of those of them inside the part of Lagos from earliest fourth dimension to date."
As explained before Awori are bilianghual. They beak Yoruba, Ogun in addition to Edo (bini) languages.

Awori Yoruba people of Lagos at traditional marriage gathering

Economy
In the distant past, agriculture was the main economical activity of Aworiland. The master copy Awori inhabitants adept crop farming, poultry farming, in addition to cattle/sheep rearing, line-fishing in addition to hunting on a minor scale. Of all these, the people concentrated to a greater extent than on crop farming in addition to fishing.
Crop farming was of ii geographical categories: chemical compound farmland called Oko-Etile in addition to distant farmland called Oko Egan. It is inward Oko Egan that most of the permanent crops similar cocoa, palm trees in addition to crops of commercial value similar maize cocoyams, cassava, guinea corn etc, were grown. The Oko Etile is marked past times tillage of garden crops such equally pepper, tomatoes in addition to onions, Okro lemons, melon, vegetables, pumpkins, in addition to soya beans, etc (Olatunji, 1998). Oko Etile was visited at brusk intervals, specially when in that location was the possibility of the farmer having an important
visitor at home. On the other hand, Oko Egan was commonly located at a far distance in addition to the farmer commonly spent a relatively longer catamenia in that location compared to the Oko Etile.
Swamp farming was rattling mutual inward Aworiland. On these swamp farms, vegetables, rice, maize in addition to other consumables were cultivated. Though, the women did non characteristic prominently inward farming but they had the responsibleness of accompanying their husbands to the farm inward guild to assist them specially during the harvesting of farm products, such equally cassava. The women processed them into finished products such equally gari, the staple nutrient of all Aworis. The women harvested, peeled, washed in addition to processed the cassava into either gari or fufu.
The peasant farmers also adept some shape of brute husbandry. They engaged themselves in
keeping in addition to rearing of such animals equally goats, sheep, short-horned cattle, local pigs in addition to domestic fowls inward identify unit of measurement compounds. These animals, amongst the exception of fowls are kept inward special places (within the identify unit of measurement compound) variously called Ogbo Maalu, Ogbo Ewure, Ogbo Elede etc. equally the instance may be. These animals were commonly taken to the land past times immature children for pasture or they are fed amongst cassava or other edible leaves spell other people kept their animals inside the
chemical compound in addition to fed them or adept guarded pasturing inward guild to avoid conflicts amongst other farmers inward instance the animals destroy the crops.
The Awori also engaged inward fishing. This is done either early on inward the morning, belatedly inward the eve or nighttime depending on the line-fishing implement to last used in addition to the conditions condition. The people,
particularly, the women engaged inward swamp fishing. They commonly had a land twenty-four hours during the dry out flavour when the swamps were relatively dry, thereby allowing unhindered access to the fish. There was also line-fishing through the utilisation of combination of hooks in addition to nets. The hooks, armed amongst bait, such equally earthworms, are laid inward the H2O amongst a float on the surface of the water. The float helps the fisherman inward knowing whether a fish had been trapped or non (i.e the float sinks whenever fish is caught). The fisherman may become to river the next twenty-four hours to collect his catch, or await some until a grab is made, depending on the catamenia of the day. In addition, the people fished via the utilisation of Ogu, a conical basket-like trap made from Opa, raffia palm fronds. This trap that permits solely H2O to current inward betwixt the woven pieces is tied to some reeds or a potent tree at the border of the
river. As the river flows, the fish which are unaware of the trap larn into it in addition to remain in that location until the fisherman comes for inspection. The economical value of this venture was that the fish were sometime sold fresh to standby
customers or taken habitation to last preserved through
smoking before selling at the neighborhood market
commonly at a higher value than the fresh type.

Gender Roles
Traditionally, Awori women performed such roles equally cooking, washing, fetching of firewood, drawing water, nursing in addition to cleaning of their surroundings. Among the Iba clan, they cleaned the markets in addition to swept the whole town, from its centre to Oba Oyonka’s shrine in addition to to the Oniba’s palace (Balogun, 1999).

Women also served equally the earliest laid of teachers for the child. They tutored them on pronunciation, greeting, dressing, toileting in addition to bodily care. Furthermore, women helped their husbands inward line-fishing in addition to farming activities. They carried cassava, maize, banana, coconut, vegetables in addition to sea foods to the marketplace for sale. They also engaged inward nutrient processing in addition to preservation, gathering in addition to processing of local herbs for medical purpose. Indeed, women inward Aworiland contributed greatly to the physical in addition to mental well-being of their communities. Some of
these women, variously called Iya Alagbo or Elewe Omo, were traditional physicians in addition to chemists who saved many people from dying from curable diseases. The women were highly skilled inward the training in addition to utilization of traditional medicine. As early on equally the pre- 1900 period, in that location were medicine for curing diverse diseases, keeping away evil forces in addition to attracting prosperity (Ajetunmobi, 1996).

Women also contributed immensely to the socio-cultural festivals of the area. As an illustration,
women featured inward varying degrees inward the festivals of Gelede, Oro, Ogun in addition to Egungun. In fact, the Iya Agan performed a key role during Egungun festival. After obtaining the Oba’s consent, the Iya Agan inward conjuction amongst Alaagba (head of all Egungun worshippers), proceeds to brand necessary arrangements for the send of a successful festival. She joined the Alaagba at the Igbale for necessary preliminary rituals. The Iya Agan also performed the responsibilities of informing her associates most arrangements, including the appointment in addition to attire for the festival (Balogun, 1999).

According to tradition, the Agan who is the traditional spiritual leader of Egungun is similar a boy to Iya
Agan. Significantly, without Iya Agan no Agan could come upward out in addition to no Egungun festival could accept place. Iya Agan is a send service held past times a adult woman who is side past times side inward rank to Alaagba. She is the caput of the woman mortal fly of Egungun adherents. She is highly respected past times the cult to the extent that she is allowed access to the Igbale, mostly a no-go-area for women. Moreover, all masquerades
in addition to females pay homage to her during the festival. She performs spiritual functions of asset Isan (a special cane), giving the sword to special Egungun, handing over religious ability to them in addition to withdrawing it during the visitation to Igbale (Ajetunmobi, 1996)

The Oloris (kings wives) in addition to Iya Oba (kings mother) also performed of import roles inward the traditional socio-political set-up of Awori. These women gave moral in addition to psychological back upward to the Oba. They were commonly gaily dressed, in addition to sat some him, specially during ceremonies inward the palace. It was unheard of for an Olori to abandon the side of the Oniba during such occasions. Sometimes the Oloris treated the Oba to trip the calorie-free fantastic toe steps. They also coordinated in addition to oversaw feeding in addition to other domestic requirements. In the contemporary period, women inward Iba however perform much of the traditional roles, although to a lesser grade due to the effects of modernization.