Interesting facts about Oron tribe of Nigeria

In this article, News360 Nigeria delves into the rich cultural heritage of the Iron ethnic group in Nigeria.

The Oron or Örö people are a group of several ethnic groups that make up the Akpakip Oro or Oron Nation.

Their population of roughly 250,000 makes them the third largest ethnic group in the state of Akwa-Ibom.

They are found in the riverine regions of Cameroon, the Cross River States, and southern Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom.

They are the second-largest oil-producing group in Akwa-Ibom State and are ancestorally related to the Efik people of the Cross River State, the Ibeno and Eastern Obolo in Akwa Ibom, the Andoni people in Rivers State, and the Balondo-ba-Konja people in the Congo.

History

The Oron people have a long history, and it is believed that their ancestors moved to the coastal area of modern day Akwa Ibom State.

The Oron ancestral figure known as “Ekpu Oro” represented the personal and social experiences of the Oron people, it also symbolized their spiritual beliefs and cultural history which was destroyed during the Biafran war.

Language

The Oro language, which is a member of the Benue-Congo Cross River language family, is spoken by the Akpakip Oro, a people renowned for their warrior heritage.

The Oron nation is commonly referred to as Okpo Oro Ukpavan, Akpakipu Oro, or Oro Ukpavan.

These names are derived from their ancestor Abang Okpo, the Akpakip Oro are made up of nine clans known as the “Afaha”.

Occupation

Historically, the Oron people were skilled fishermen, traders, and farmers, they were well-known for their maritime prowess and actively engaged in trade with nearby communities and European traders.

Today, many are engaged in various professions such as fishing, agriculture, trading, maritime activities, civil service, education, and entrepreneurship.

Population

The Oron people has a population of over 250 million people, making them the third largest ethnic group in Akwa-Ibom State.

They view the Efik, Obolo, Ibeno, and Ekid people as members of their ancestral family; however, there is much debate regarding the relationship between Oron and Ekid.

It is said to have soured when the Eket, under the leadership of Brigadier General U.J. Esuene, agreed to declare themselves a subgroup of the Ibibio nation in order to gain political significance and advantage.

It was also reported that U.J. Esuene had refused the Oron people the chance to locate the first Exxon Mobile terminal in the Oron Nation’s Mbo, Akwa Ibom, and Effiat Oron areas.

The six ethnic groups that currently make up the Oron nation are Efiat/Mbo, Enwang, Idua (Asang), Okobo, Oron Ukpabang, and Ebughu Otong.

Culture

Various aspects of Oron culture such as child naming customs, traditional attire, cuisine, and marriage are just a few of the distinctive features of Oron culture that makes them unique amongst other ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Naming

Oron people name their children based on the family they belong. An Oron native’s name is similar to that of his father and his family.

Dressing

The Oron people’s traditional attire is comparable to that of the Efiks.

The traditional clothing of the ancient Oron people was made of raffia fiber. Later, they wore locally made fabrics and beads called Ngwa.

The men of the tribe wore caps and clean-shaven beards, while the women let their hair fall naturally in plaits.

Modern Oron men wear a piece of red colored fabric called ‘Iyara’ on the head with a white tailored shirt and wrapper wrapped round the waist.

This outfit is perculiar to the Efik, Ibibio as well as the Annang ethnic group.

The women wear dresses just like the Efik women, they wear  long and colorful garments called Ọnyọnyọ mainly in special occasions.

Other feminine dresses worn are; ‘Ibûd Anang’ accompanied with many beads worn on the waist and ankles to perform traditional dances.

“Anana Ubok”, these are beads worn across the shoulders, “Nkpakhá Ubok”, colorful raffia’s worn over the hand, “Nkpakhá Etim”, raffias worn on the legs together with bells and ‘Akasi’ are some dresses and accessories used by the women during festivals and ceremonies.

A typical Oron woman is expected to be healthy, fair-skinned, intelligent with a full and attractive waistline to gain attention.

Marriage

Oron marriage is similar to that of the Efiks, the young maidens undergo the fattening room practice few months before the marriage ceremony so as to help prepare them for womanhood.

To consolidate the marriage, the groom visits the bride’s family with few of his kinsmen and pays the dowry and other items required by the bride’s family.

Cuisines

Being a hospitable people, the Oron tribe have lots of delicacies perculiar to their culture including Afang, Edikang Ikong, Ekpang Nkukwo (Ötotö), Atama soup and the Oron traditional soup called ‘Otong’ which is regarded as the traditional dish of Oron people.

Otong is very nutritious and is eaten with Iwe Ekpang, which is made of cassava (wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled).

Due to their riverine location, they are blessed with sea foods like crabs, fresh fish, prawns, oysters, crayfish etc.

 Beliefs

The Oron people have a deep spiritual connection to their ancestral heritage and believe in a supreme being known as Abasi Ibom (God).

Christianity is widely practiced among the Oron people, alongside traditional beliefs such as reincarnation, deities, divinities and the Supreme being called Abazi Oro (God of heaven).

They belief that Abazi Usong inhabits the earthly realms and is responsible for the wealth of individuals or society at large.

They belief in ‘Olughu’, a deity which they perform sacrifices, incantations and pour libations to pacify.

The Oron entire religious system believe on the Supreme God, the lesser god, the ancestors spirit, the various Olughu and Mbiams, the Ndem etc which is believed to help in the maintenance of order, law and social control as well as unifying influences among the people.

Secret societies of the Oron people are the ‘Ekung’, ‘Ekpe’, ‘Nka’, ‘Inam’, ‘Abang’, ‘Ukpok’, and ‘lban Isong’. They were used to maintain law and order in the society.