The Isokos are a unique people found in Delta State, the heart of the Niger Delta. It is a district ethnic group made of nineteen (19) clans with a total of about 2.1 million people[i](personal opinion)[/i]. Isoko occupies a space of land in South East of Delta State of Nigeria; bounded by Kwale to the North, Urhobos to the West, Ndokwa Osimili/Aboh to the East; and Ijaws to the South while the Delta Igbos and Itsekiris are not left out. The Isokos are a peaceful people as there are no records or history of conflicts or wars between them and their neighbors in the past. The major occupation of Isoko people are farming, trading, fishing and teaching. They thirst for education and they are directly progressing in these areas of specialization. It is of record that today Isokos can be found in most of the sensitive professions in Nigeria like Lawyers, Accountants, Economists, Engineers, Doctors, Estate Surveyors, Journalists and general business contractors. Isoko land houses a campus of the Delta State University at Oleh and a state polytechnic at Ozoro.

The oral history has it that the first group of Isoko ancestors migrated from Benin Kingdom in about 1600 AD at the same time as the ancestors of Aboh. The ancestors in the first group were Erowa (the senior) Uzere, and Okpe. Isoko oral history told that the second group led by ancestors of Iyede left Benin about 1650- 1700 AD during the reign of Oba Ozolua, the Oba of Benin. After, a short while the ancestors of Ughelli, Ogor and Agbarha- Otor (3 brothers) in Ughelli North Local Government area followed the trail of Iyede ancestors and settled in their present sites. Between 1600-1700 AD there were many migrations from Benin kingdom to many parts of the present Edo and Delta States as a result of incessant internecine wars coupled with the unbridled wickedness of the princes of Benin Kingdom. There were further migrations by some of the first and second groups and in some cases their children moved from their parents settlements to settle in virgin lands.

Most Urhobo historians, linguists and cultural anthropologists are of the opinion that Isoko is but only a dialect and a cultural unit of Urhobo. In fact, this was upheld by the British that these two ethnic groups were once referred to as the "Usobo" people, a term largely refuted by both groups. Later on the Isokos were called the Eastern Urhobos but more on this will be treated later on. Till now, some people are of the belief that these two ethnic units are but one due to similarities in culture, language, food and virtually everything. The Isoko and Urhobo names for most items are mostly the same. They greet the same way ( Urhobos say Meegwo and Isokos say Deegwoo ), marriages are in the same tradition, traditional religion and philosophy is akin and even dressing is the same.   However the Isokos are of a different opinion. The Isoko historians are of the opinion that most Urhobo clans migrated from their land.

The ancestors of Effurun- Otor in Ughelli local government area, LGA, came from Erowa in Isoko South LGA, whilst Effurun In Uvwie clan migrated from Effurun- Otor. Ekpan and Ugborikoko towns moved from Effurun to settle in their present sites.Irri came fom Uzere whilst Oleh and Agbon clan in Ethiope East LGA migrated from Irri, Agbon consists of Kokori, Okpara , (Inland and wasterside ) and Eku towns. The present Okpe clan in Urhoboland, i.e in Okpe and Sapele LGAs migrated from Okpe in Isoko along with Ozoro. Ozoro settled in their present site whilst Okpe went further to Orerokpe their present settlement. Ofagba clan came from Okpe. Emevor and Owho clans migrated from Iyede and Ibrede and Iyede- Ame in Ndokwa LGA are direct descendants of from Iyede to settle in their present sites. Ellu clan, i.e Ellu, Aradhe and Ovrode are descendants of Owho. The ancestors of Aviara migrated from Benin and came to its present settlement through the River Niger. The only Isoko community that migrated from Urhoboland is Olomoro clan which descended from Olomu clan in Ughelli South LGA about 1750-1800 AD.

The ancestors of all the clans in Isoko migrated from Benin with the exception of Igbide, Okpolo/ Enhwe and Evwrheni now Ughelli South , which came from East of the river Niger, i.e the present day Anambra, Bayelsa and Rivers states. They came through the river Niger to Isoko creek (a tributary of river Niger) near Patani, and advanced in land to settle in their present sites. Late Professor Obaro Ikime elucidated on the historical facts of Isoko nation. Umeh ancestors came from Onya on the River Niger opposite river Nun, a tributary of river Nun, a tributary of river Niger and came through Isoko creek near Patani and advanced in land to settle on the banks of Isoko creek where they are at present. There was further movement of Owhawha ancestors from Igbide in Isoko South LGA to settle in Jeremi clan, Ughelli South LGA.

The re-migration of people from Isoko to Urhoboland was due to insufficient choice of land for settlement and also due to constant flooding during rainy season and also due to river Niger flowing its banks.


Before the advent of the British to the Niger Delta the communities in Isoko were frequently engaged in conflicts between and amongst themselves owing to disagreements resulting from ownership of land struggle for crude power to have dominion over others. The salutary point however, was that wisdom prevailed in the long run, and as a result the leaders initiated and entered into covenants between themselves to ensure sustainable peace . Some of the covenants are still in existence today and they are respected by the communities that covenanted as they were respected in those days. For example, the covenant between Erowa and Iyede and Aviara is highly respected and feared. It promotes peace and understanding among the people of these communities; no evil or harm is done to each other under any circumstances. The one between Igbide and Oyede is also highly respected.

In 1951, the Richards constitution came into operation in Nigeria. The Western Region Delimitation Commission created two constituencies from Eastern Urhobo Native Authority (NA) , and elections to the Western House of Assembly were conducted by electoral college system on individual or personal basis although political parties were behind the candidates. Late Chief James Otobo from Uzere kingdom for Isoko. Chief Mowarin for the other side of Eastern Urhobo, NA. They both contested and won their elections to the Western House of Assembly, Ibadan. Late Chief James Otobo for NCNC and Chief Mowarin for Action Group. At the 1954 general elections, Chief James Otobo again contested, this time under the platform of NCNC party and won and was returned to the Western house of Assembly. In 1957, Isoko was given a modicum of Independence of Isoko District Council from Eastern Urhobo. Chief James Otobo influenced the creation during his tenure as a member representing Isoko at the Western house of Assembly, Ibadan. This marked the beginning of Isoko as a recognised distinct ethno-linguistic group as opposed to its previous categorisation as an Urhobo dialect

Some of the highly intelligent and bravery Isoko sons and daughters who have one way contributed largely to the sustainable development of the region in likes of Chief Ufuoma Edwin Ozah, Chief (Mrs) Rita Ozah, Hon Raphael Okelezo, Hon Fineboy Dickson,Prince Frank Egbodo, Hon Benjamin Essien, Chief Paul Eriri, Felida Essi. Otunba Isaac Emiyede, Engr Okpithe Solomon, Chief Oke Akpojene, Stella Omu, Owho Ovuakporie, Archbishop Apena, Chief John Okih, Evang Saviour Ede, Cordelia Okpei, Barr Ejaita Otouniyo , Iduh Amadhe , Barr Akporero, Alex Ogbomudia, Felix Ogbaudu, Ben Oheri, Goodluck Orie, Goodluck Ofehe, Paul odhomor, Hon Osiga Oghale, Hon Mike Ogwah, hon Obi Eneruvie, Apostle Joseph Ovedhe, Comrade Samuel Macaulay, Elder Peter Erebi, Prince Obaro Unuafe, who contested for 2011 Delta state governorship election, Prof Stephen Akpavie, Emmanuel Omojefe who donated #10 million to recent flood victims in Isoko, Zeb Ejiro, Barr Jonathan Okiogbero and just mention but a few . Many Isoko sons and daughters have done so well to salvage the region while some still believe in traditional system of leadership which no longer in vogue. 


Isoko Wadooooooooooo!

Sources:
http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/103138/1/who-is-who-in-isokoland.html 
Italicized Moderation by Me

Insert pictures: Isoko people

ISOKO.. Our certified and bonafide brothers

#Proudly_URHOBO tho (all the way from Effurun, Uvwie LGA)
#DELTA_State_of_Mind

Nice.

literarymathy:
Cc
Lalasticlacla
Ishilove
Seun
Alkarulezz
Unibenstudent
Barcanista

Who told you say Barcanista na MOD?

BUT THEY ARE VERY VERY VERY CUNNY AND WAYOISH

literarymathy:



Sources:
http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/103138/1/who-is-who-in-isokoland.html 
Italicized Moderation by Me

bisten14:


Who told you say Barcanista na MOD?

Wasn't aiming at mods. Just people to see the thread.

Proudly Isoko

I still don't see any difference between Isoko and Urhobo. Saying that both groups are different tribes is the same as saying that Arochukwu, Ngwa, Otuocha, Awka, Oji variety of Igbos are different.

deegwoo, megwoo is just a little change. I wish I am from one of these two tribes really really understand the differences.



Let's look at the same sentence in Igbo dialects.

Queens English: I am going to school.
Standard Igbo: M na-aga ülö akwükwö.
Onitsha Igbo: M na-aga ünö akwükwö.
My village: M le-eje ülö ekwükwö.

All these mean the same thing but look different.



literarymathy give us more info

saintneo:
I still don't see any difference between Isoko and Urhobo. Saying that both groups are different tribes is the sane as saying that Arochukwu, Ngwa, Otuocha, Awka, Oji variety of Igbos are different.

deegwoo, megwoo is just a little change. I wish I am from one of these two tribes really really understand the differences.



Let's look at the same sentences in Igbo dialects.

Queens English: I am going to school.
Standard Igbo: M na-aga ülö akwükwö.
Onitsha Igbo: M na-aga ünö akwükwö.
My village: M le-eje ülö ekwükwö.

All these mean the same thing but look different.



literarymathy give us more info

The truth is that I am of the opinion that isoko is a dialect of Urhobo. Although isoko is more of a proto-edoid language than urhobo. Both languages evolved from Edo and of the two of them, isoko is closer to Edo than urhobo which proves the theory that isoko might be older than urhobo. Other than that, the languages are the same. It's just that the intonation of isoko is different from that of Urhobo and that makes isoko more musical. Isokos also repeat a lot. Some words are also different while others are mainly variants in terms of pronunciation.
I.e. Urhobo will say Yanrobone meaning come here whilst Isokos will say Yanzobone Yanzobone
Notice the deliberate repetition and minor variation. Linguistically, the languages are exactly like what you described earlier.

Culturally, isoko & urhobo are virtually the same. They believe in the same concept of life, they have the same religions, philosophy, world view, songs, etc. They are just a faction of Urhobo just like the Okpes and Uvwies. Furthermore, isoko has common myths with urhobo and can perfectly hear urhobo. Urhobos maybe able to hear isoko with a little focus. But because of political reasons, the Isokos deemed it fit that they have their autonomy as an ethno-linguistic group. This was granted them in the 50s but I don't think it is to their favor because they are the smallest minority now in Delta State and have just 2 LGAs. If they had been with the Urhobos, perhaps they would have fared better. Perhaps... The judgment is thus simple; Isokos are politically seen as a distinct group whereas they are culturally & linguistically the same with Urhobos.

Awesome !!! Proudly Isoko!!!

@ literarymathy, please change the bolded text "Owho" to "Owhe". Owhe is the right spelling. That's my place.

Thanks for the info!

literarymathy:

The ancestors of Effurun- Otor in Ughelli local government area, LGA, came from Erowa in Isoko South LGA, whilst Effurun In Uvwie clan migrated from Effurun- Otor. Ekpan and Ugborikoko towns moved from Effurun to settle in their present sites.Irri came fom Uzere whilst Oleh and Agbon clan in Ethiope East LGA migrated from Irri, Agbon consists of Kokori, Okpara , (Inland and wasterside ) and Eku towns. The present Okpe clan in Urhoboland, i.e in Okpe and Sapele LGAs migrated from Okpe in Isoko along with Ozoro. Ozoro settled in their present site whilst Okpe went further to Orerokpe their present settlement. Ofagba clan came from Okpe. Emevor and Owho clans migrated from Iyede and Ibrede and Iyede- Ame in Ndokwa LGA are direct descendants of from Iyede to settle in their present sites. Ellu clan, i.e Ellu, Aradhe and Ovrode are descendants of Owho. The ancestors of Aviara migrated from Benin and came to its present settlement through the River Niger. The only Isoko community that migrated from Urhoboland is Olomoro clan which descended from Olomu clan in Ughelli South LGA about 1750-1800 AD.

I am proudly delta but I am urhobo sha


just sayin*
Job applications nowadays are like:

"We're looking for someone aged 22-26 with 30 years experience

Pls why??

lntresting

xx

Great piece

Too long to read

I served in isoko. Very wonderful peeps.

Isoko = urhobo

Tenim47:
Ugly peepz

and yorubas are beautiful ? Smh

Nice

Ugly peepz

Learning........

STORY FOR D GODS D GODS OOO