CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Introduction
Inter-group relations is a very common trend across the African continent as there exist evidences pointing to the fact that various ethnic groups have interacted with one another in diverse ways even before the coming of the white man.1 In Nigeria, there exist a plethora of literatures depicting the robust relationship that had transpired among various ethnic groups. These inter-group relationships took diverse forms such as war and diplomatic intercourse, marriages, migration patterns, trade and commerce, traditional and religious settings, among others. Whatever dimension inter-group relations may have taken, it is important to uphold the truision that inter-group relations existed and is still in existence even in contemporary times as it cuts across pre-colonial, council and post-colonial eras.2
An appraisal of the historical and cultural background of the Ika is critical to our understanding of the people and society. In this study, a broad based and circumspective examination of the evolution and development of Ika ethnicity is attempted. This study examine the inter-group relations between the Ika people and their neighbours.
It was only until recently that the boundary of Nigeria was fixed at 4° and 14° north longitude. 2° east and 15° east of the Greenwich meridian. This is an area of 922,200 square kilometers (356,000 square miles). However, the period which will be considered in this study has no such boundaries.3 Rather, it was an era where people moved freely about in and outside the boundaries of their villages. The intergroup relationship between them was unhindered and this is why many school of thoughts trace the history of these different villages to one another because of the high level similarities among them. You find the resemblance in culture, language, ideologies and heritages among these different communities.4
Even to date after boundaries have been set and people have clung to the originality of their culture, we find very obvious identically between these people which of course justified the idea of intergroup relations between them in those days and denies the idea that the people might have developed their history distinctively. It is on this note that this work seeks to examine the intergroup relations between the people of Ika and her neighbours in pre-colonial times.5
The total population of people of Ika is unknown but they represent a large percentage in the Nigerian population. However, a 2002 census numbers 240,000 and this number is believed to have doubled in 2022. Ika is divided into two. Ika South and Ika North. Ika communities can also be found in parts of Edo state such as Igbanke, Inyelen, Owanikeke, Ute Obagie, Owa-Riuzo Idu, Igbogili. Iru and Ekpon. In Delta, they can be found in Agbor, Owa, Umunede, Owerre Olubor, Ekuoma, Emuhu, Mbiri, Abavo, Orogodo, Otolokpo, Igbodo, Ute-Okpu, Ute-Ogbeje, Idumuesah and Akumazi.6
The Ika people share a unique difference in language. The language of the Ukwani for instance, is quite different from the people of Agbor and the language of Agbor has bits and bits of differences from other regions like Ute, Akumazi etc. The greetings of the Agbor people is quite different from that of the Ute people. The significant similarity they share is rather in their names. Meanwhile, the domicile Ika people in Edo state share similarity in the Benin names and cultures largely.7 This work examines the intergroup relations between the Ika people and her neighbours in the pre-colonial period.
Aim and Objectives
This study aims to examine the intergroup relations between the people of Ika and her neighbours: Specific objectives includes
1. To examine the history of Ika
2. To examine the economic relations between Ika people and their neighbours
3. To examine the impact of the social relations between Ika people and their neighbours
Scope of Study
The study will cover the intergroup relations between Ika and her neighbours in pre-colonial times
Methodology
In order to have an understandable and precise historical analysis, a historical methodology employed will centre on two sources of history. The primary and secondary sources. The primary sources will include oral sources from domicile indigenes of the land while the secondary sources will include written works such as books, articles, journals, documentaries etc. These secondary sources will better supplement the primary sources.