Edoid · Nigeria’s peoples

Esan

The Esan of central Edo State were a loose confederation of about 35 kingdoms, each under its own Onojie, rather than a single state.

See the Esan on the map Kingdom of Benin

At a glance

Where do the Esan people live?: Their homeland is in Esan Central, Esan North-East, Esan South-East, Esan West and Iguegben in Edo State, across 5 local government areas.
What language do the Esan speak?: Esan, a language of the Edoid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Edoid).
Which kingdoms are part of Esan history?: Kingdom of Benin

Overview

The Esan of central Edo State were a loose confederation of about 35 kingdoms, each under its own Onojie, rather than a single state.^[2]High confidence

Where the Esan live

Local government areas by state. Homeland: the group is the majority. Shared area: a large share of a mixed area. Smaller presence: present, but a small share.

Edo
- Esan Central(Homeland)
- Esan North-East(Homeland)
- Esan South-East(Homeland)
- Esan West(Homeland)
- Iguegben(Homeland)

Areas are approximate and show where people live. They are not claims of land ownership.

Communities beyond the homeland

Uromi

Esan North-East, Edo State: Obeidu, Ivue, Uzea, Ewoyi, Eguare, Atani, Amendokhian, Arue, Ebue.^[3],[5]High confidence

Uromi, headquarters of Esan North-East, is made of villages such as Obeidu, Ivue, Uzea and Ewoyi, which have grown into suburbs; by the Oriire account Uromi joined the Akota alliance against the Nupe in the 1890s.^[3],[4]

Ekpoma

Esan West, Edo State: Iruekpen, Ujemen, Emaudo, Ukhun, Idoa, Urohi, Ujiogba, Ogwa.^[6]High confidence

Headquarters of Esan West. Ukhun has the Ekhuan shrine and the Orosun falls.^[6]

Ubiaja

Esan South-East, Edo State: Ewohimi, Ohordua, Emu.^[7],[5]High confidence

Headquarters of Esan South-East. The Esan are thought to have been savanna people who kept to the higher land between rivers when they settled Esanland.^[7]

Igueben

Iguegben, Edo State.^[8],[5]High confidence

Founded around 1516, by Christopher Okojie's account, around a camp set up during Benin's war with the Attah of Igala in 1515–1516. It is ruled by an Onogie.^[8]

Language

Esan, a language of the Edoid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Edoid). ISO 639-3: ish.^[1]High confidence

In history

Kingdom of BeninKingdom of Benin at its height, 1600

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).