Did you know that there are 35 established kingdoms in Esan land? No? Well, there are. And before you start wondering how that is your cup of tea, let me tell you, the Esan people are a very interesting tribe of people.
Esan People of Edo State
For the few who do not know, the Esan people (Esan: Ẹ̀bhò Ẹ̀sán) are an ethnic group in Edo State, Southern Nigeria. They speak the Esan language. Their origin story is sort of funny because it reminds me of present-day millennials. Why? Well, something about saying no to unnecessary hardship and japa-ing for Africa.
I mean, when a certain Oba started making life hard, these people, mostly nobles and princes, left the Benin Empire for the northeast and formed communities and kingdoms called Eguares among the people whom they met there. And they never looked back.
The Esan Kingdoms
Today, the names of these kingdoms in Esanland include:
Amahor, Ebelle, Egoro, Ewohimi, Ekekhenlen, Ekpoma, Ekpon, Emu, Ewu, Ewato, Ewosa, Idoa, Ifeku, Igueben, Ilushi, Inyelen, Irrua, Ogwa, Ohordua, Okalo, Okhuesan, Onogholo, Opoji, Oria, Orowa, Uromi, Udo, Ugbegun, Ugboha, Ubiaja, Urhohi, Ugun, Ujiogba, Ukhun, and Uzea.
Don’t be confused by the term “kingdoms”, many of these places are just towns and villages.
Esan Land in Modern Times
Some people believe that the Esan people who reside in Esan land number about one million to 1.5 million citizens in Nigeria, with a sizable population abroad.
Whichever way you want to look at it, most Esan people are very beautiful to look at. Most of them have fair skin and desirable features. They have also made a lot of impact in all aspects of Nigerian life.
Are you Esan or know someone who is? Comment below.
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