Edoid · Nigeria’s peoples

Urhobo

The Urhobo, about 7 million people, live in 24 kingdoms in central Delta State, each with its own Ovie or equivalent ruler (the Orodje of Okpe, for example).

See the Urhobo on the map

At a glance

Where do the Urhobo people live?: Their homeland is in Delta State, across 8 local government areas. They are also a large share of Warri South in Delta State.
What language do the Urhobo speak?: Urhobo, a language of the Edoid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Edoid).

Overview

The Urhobo, about 7 million people, live in 24 kingdoms in central Delta State, each with its own Ovie or equivalent ruler (the Orodje of Okpe, for example).^[2]High confidence

Where the Urhobo 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
- Ethiope East(Homeland)
- Ethiope West(Homeland)
- Okpe(Homeland)
- Sapele(Homeland)
- Udu(Homeland)
- Ughelli North(Homeland)
- Ughelli South(Homeland)
- Uvwie(Homeland)
- Warri South(Shared area)
- Patani(Smaller presence)
Bayelsa
- Sagbama(Smaller presence)

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

Communities beyond the homeland

Okpe kingdom

Okpe, Delta State: Orerokpe, Osubi.^[4],[5]High confidence

One of the Urhobo kingdoms; its LGA article dates it to 1770, with Orodje Esezi I as the first king. The Okpe founded Sapele, and the Orodje still has authority over its land.^[4]

Sapele

Sapele, Delta State: Amukpe, Oviri, Okuovwori, Jesse, Mosogar.^[6],[5]High confidence

On the land of the Okpe Urhobo; the Okpe say the name comes from Uriapele, a local deity whose shrine still stands in the city centre.^[6]

Udu

Udu, Delta State: Aladja, Ovwian, Emadadja, Egini, Orhuwhorun, Igbogidi, Ekete, Ujevwu.^[7],[5]High confidence

An Urhobo kingdom under its own ovie, in three historic sub-clans, among them Evwrirhe and Oniere; its headquarters is Otor-Udu.^[7]

Ughelli

Ughelli North, Delta State: Orogun, Agbarho, Agbarha, Ufuoma, Evwreni, Afiesere.^[8],[2],[5]High confidence

One of the two oldest Urhobo kingdoms, traced to about the 14th century; its founder Ughene is remembered as the son of Oghwoghwa, a Benin prince.^[2]

Oghara

Ethiope West, Delta State.^[9]High confidence

Headquarters of Ethiope West.^[9]

Language

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

Sources

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