Egba

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The Egba are a subgroup of the Yoruba people who live in western Nigeria. Many Egba live in the city of Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State.

History

The Egba nation originally under the Oyo empire became independent following the collapse of the Oyo empire in the first half of the 19th century. Tribal wars with the dahomey where the Egba were successful partly due to the protection afforded by the Olumo Rock led to the founding of the city of Abeokuta, which literally means "under the rock".

The Egba are made up of the following sub-divisions - the Ake, Owu, Okeona, Gbagura and Ibara, each with its own king. During colonial rule, the British appointed the Alake of Ake (king of Ake) as the paramount ruler and is therefore referred to often now as the Alake of Egbaland. The titles of the kings of the aforementioned sub-divisions are the Alake of Egbaland, the Olowu of Owu, the Agura of Gbagura, the Oshinle of Okeona, and the Olubara of Ibara.

Egbaland was not only where Henry Townsend lived but also boast of the first newspaper in Nigeria; "Iwe Irolin".

People

Traditional Attire

Men *Trouser, kembe/sokoto; *Top, Buba and Agbada; *cap, Fila (a beti aja)

Women *Wrapper, Iro; *Top, Buba; *Head Gear, Gele; *Others - Ipele - Piece of cloth placed on the shoulder or wrapped around the waist

Food *Lafu, (White Amala) and Ewedu soup;

Drink *Wara, (Cottage Cheese Drink)

Notable Egba people

   Royal Family of ilugun-Asalu Ake Egbaland.A notable chartered surveyor & valuer with
   enviable and meritorious record of service in the Nigeria Real estate sector.
  • [Chief Opeki Fabunmi Sowunmi] 1920-2003 Ifa Priest Co-Founder del Instituto Orunmila Orisa de Cultura Uruguay, South America. He is survived by many children and grand children among them Mr Olaniran Sowunmi and Barrister Awolowo Sowunmi London Uk. Chief Opeki Fabunmi Sowunmi was the first Ifa Priest from Nigeria to have travelled far and wide spreading the Ifa Gospel to Brasil and the rest of South America.Aboru Aboye Baba sun re o.

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