For those who missed part 1 and 2

https://www.nairaland.com/4329808/itsekiri-people-brief-history

https://www.nairaland.com/4334378/itsekiri-people-brief-history-part

During the course of part 2
Anti spam bot banned me so i was unable to finish the 2md series..



Let's hope its different today

Cc Efewestern macof

*THE PRE - GINUWA PERIOD IN ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRILAND)* : ```THE ORIGINS AND VALUES OF THE CORONATION RITUALS OF THE OLU OF WARRI AND THE ITSEKIRI PEOPLE``` .

*NOMENCLATURE*
According to EREJUWA II, the Late OLU Of WARRI, in an address presented to the interdenominational congregation on Sunday, 18th March, 1984, to mark the 33rd anniversary of his coronation, he said, inter alia:
_The word 'WARRI' is derived from BENIN word IWEREĘ, which is used to describe both the KINGDOM and the (ITSEKIRI) People._

The YORUBA call them ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI), but we have also heard the BINI calling them ISEKHERE (ITSEKIRI). There is a street in BENIN called ISEKHERE (ITSEKIRI) about which OMONEUKANRIN has this to say:
_The Man ITSEKIRII was possibly a descendant of ISEKHERE, the Great Ferryman of the OVRA (OVIA?) River fame, and, apparently, one of the earliest political refugees from BENIN via IDAH with the IGARA Language, which bears some similarity to that of YORUBA
_
From study, the word 'similarity' could only be appropriate, when comparing ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI) Language with YORUBA Language. IGARA, correctly called IGALA, is a different language altogether with some words borrowed from ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI) and YORUBA just as YORUBA borrowed from HAUSA, and ISEKIRI borrowed from PORTUGUESE and SPANISH.
The borrowing of words by one tribe from another is characteristic of trade connections and boundary towns.

Moreover, the URHOBO call the ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI) 'IRHOBO', a witticism meaning, floating on the river. The URHOBO version could also be rendered IRHEBIE, that is, rowing on the river.
The EZON call the ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI) ISELEMO. The word ISELEMO, probably was derived from two EZON words: SEGHE, meaning, dance; and LEIMO, means, enter (canoe). That is, those who dance in canoes (on water). This has been part of ISEKIRI(ITSEKIRI) culture till today.

For centuries, as pointed out earlier on, IWERE and ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI) have passed through various stages of spellings.
The _PORTUGUESE_ , who were the first _EUROPEANS_ to sail under the flag of _Prince HENRY_ the Navigator through Western to Southern Africa on the Atlantic Ocean, recognized in the Sixteenth Century the existence of _OEYRE KINGDOM_ (IWERE KINGDOM).

According to _WILLIAM A. MOORE,_ the PORTUGUESE first had intercourse with GINUWA at IJALA , in about 1516.
However, other explorers soon followed with several other variants of spellings, as much as they could acoustically comprehend the pronunciation of the Name IWERE
Thus WARRI became an important trading post through River FORCADOS, for the PORTUGUESE.The other name of the People, ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI) came up at IJIJEN's arrival at OKOTOMU (ITSEKIRI) was the Landlord of OKOTOMU who welcomed ÌJÌJÈN to his domain.

Fake history.
Itsekiri is a break out clan from the eboe(Igbo) tribe.
That's why they look more like Igbo people from anambra

Incase u guys don't get a swift update just know i have been banned



Furthermore, the arrival of the _DUTCH_ on trade exploration to West Africa in the Seventeenth Century gives birth to another variant expression, " _Kingdom Of OVWERE or OVEIRO_ ".
Thus the title, OLU Of WARRI, is not new, but had been established by EUROPEANS over five hundred years ago.
By the Eighteenth Century, the presence of the _FRENCH_ added yet another variant, _OWARE_ (IWEREĘ).
Similarly, the advent of _BRITISH_ Merchants and Naval Captains at the beginning of the Nineteenth Century brings another spelling, _WARRE_ (WARRI).
Dovetailing this is _Captain JOHN BEECROFT_ 's version _WARI_ .

Consul RICHARD BURTON, who sailed for the "Renowned City of WARI" in August, 1862, says that the BENIN River is called UWOKO JAKRI, meaning, according to him, outlet of JAKRI.
There is the reference to the KINGDOM Of WARI or WARREE and that they call themselves JAKRIMEN. UWOKO is probably a corruption of UGHOTON
The ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI) term for an outlet (of a river into the sea or creek) is ARUNTON, Mouth of a River, and not UWOKO

I know Itsekiri are called Isekìri by many Yorubas but that might not be the original Yoruba name for the people.

I find "Ijekiri" fitting, it means 'wandering voyage'
Illustrating the early Itsekiri sea fearing to distant places like the Ijebu 'voyage of the deep'

It's no news that Itsekiri are mostly of Ijebu origin

Also European records have the Itsekiri as Jekri

Probably what BURTON called UWO KO may be the abbreviation of his own understanding of UBO TI A KELE WOO OKO ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI), meaning, where one enters the boat that goes to ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI).
It is important to observe however, that UGHOTON in BENIN River was BENIN Port from where anybody coming from BENIN to ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI) domain would take a boat for his journey.

Finally, the various spellings of _WARRI_ reached its bar when the _NIGER COAST PROTECTORATE_ was established in 1893.
_HENRY L.G. GALWAY_ was appointed Vice - Consul of BENIN River, and it was he who introduced the present variant spelling _WARRI_ , which had stuck to the _KINGDOM_ .
Thus the Kingdom Of WARREE or WARRI is synonymous and interchangeable with the Kingdom Of IWERE
However, as noted earlier on, the name _JAKRI_ or _JEKRI_ could be traced to YORUBA _ , granting that ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI)_ himself emigrated from ILE-IFE

Thus from the foregoing it is apparently clear that right from the Fifteenth Century all _EUROPEAN Explorers_ to this part of the present day _NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA_ , have been calling the territory the KINGDOM OF WARRI and not the kingdom of ISEKIRI (ITSEKIRI)

I am sad to announce the decision to continue with this topic reasons been that the anti spambot have been frustrating efforts to make this thread a success.

My sincere apologies

Onuwaje