Yoruboid · Nigeria’s peoples

Itsekiri

The Itsekiri of western Delta State built the Kingdom of Warri (Iwere) under the Olu of Warri, trading with the Portuguese from the 16th century.

See the Itsekiri on the map Kingdom of Warri

At a glance

Where do the Itsekiri people live?: Their homeland is in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West in Delta State, across 3 local government areas.
What language do the Itsekiri speak?: Itsekiri, a language of the Yoruboid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Defoid › Yoruboid).
Who is the traditional ruler of the Itsekiri?: Olu of Warri.
Which kingdoms are part of Itsekiri history?: Kingdom of Warri

Overview

The Itsekiri of western Delta State built the Kingdom of Warri (Iwere) under the Olu of Warri, trading with the Portuguese from the 16th century. Their language is close to the Yoruba of the Ilaje.^[2]High confidence

Where the Itsekiri 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.

Delta
- Warri North(Shared area)
- Warri South(Shared area)
- Warri South-West(Shared area)
- Sapele(Smaller presence)

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

Communities beyond the homeland

Koko

Warri North, Delta State.^[3],[4]High confidence

Headquarters of Warri North and a sea port; Nana Olomu settled near Koko on his return from exile in 1906.^[3],[4]

Fishing, canoe carving, net weaving, hunting, cloth dyeing, trade and farming.^[3]

Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri)

Warri South-West, Delta State.^[5]Medium confidence

The island capital of the Warri kingdom and still the site of coronations and royal funerals; Ginuwa's successors set up the royal seat here.^[5]

Ijala and Okere

Warri South, Delta State: Okere.^[5],[6]High confidence

Ginuwa died and was buried at Ijala, where later Olus were also buried; Okere was founded by men of a Benin force under Ekpen who could not cross the Warri river and later submitted to the Olu.^[5]

Language

Itsekiri, a language of the Yoruboid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Defoid › Yoruboid). ISO 639-3: its.^[1]High confidence

Traditional ruler

Olu of Warri.^[2]High confidence

In history

Kingdom of WarriKingdom of Warri at its height, 1600

Sources

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