The United Esan Organization extends warm wishes to you and your family for a joyous and memorable Christmas celebration. May this season be filled with love, peace, and togetherness. As we welcome the New Year, we wish you good health, renewed hope, and abundant prosperity in all your endeavors. May the year ahead bring continued blessings and success to you and your loved ones. Iselogbe!
Esan People and Culture
The Esan people and culture of Esanland are generally homogenous. Esanland (Esan: Otọesan), otherwise known as Esan Nation, is a cultural region located in Edo State, Nigeria. It is composed of five Local Government Areas in Edo State. Esanland lies west of the banks of the Niger River. It is bordered by Kogi State, Delta State, Edo South Senatorial District, and Edo North Senatorial District. Esanland covers about 2,800 square kilometers and is home to over half a million people.
The Esan people are also known for their acrobatic dance known as igbabonelimi (English: clap to the spirits), which is a significant aspect of their cultural heritage.
There are 35 established kingdoms in Esanland, including: Amahor, Ebelle, Egoro, Ewohimi, Ekekhenlen, Ekpoma, Ekpon, Emu, Ewu, Ewato, Ewosa, Idoa, Ifeku, Igueben, Ilushi, Inyelen, Irrua, Ogwa, Ohordua, Okalo, Okhuesan, Onogholo, Opoji, Oria, Orowa, Uromi, Udo, Ugbegun, Ugboha, Ubiaja, Urohi, Ugun, Ujiogba, Ukhun, Uzea.
They are known to cultivate palm trees, Irvingia gabonensis (erhonhiele), Cherry (Otien), bell pepper (akoh) coconut, betel nut, kola nut, black pear, avocado pear, yams, cocoyam, cassava, maize, rice, beans, groundnut, bananas, oranges, plantains, sugar cane, tomato, potato, okra, pineapple, paw paw, and various vegetables.
The people of Esan primarily speak the Esan language. The term Esan
has been applied to the Esan people for hundreds of years, and was used before contact with Europeans. It is believed by many historians that the name Esan
(originally, E san fia
) owes its origin to Benin (meaning, they have fled
or they jumped away
). Ishan
is an Anglicized form of Esan
, the result of colonial Britain's inability to properly pronounce the name of this ethnic group. It is believed that similar corruption has affected such Esan names as ubhẹkhẹ (now obeche
tree), uloko (now iroko
tree), Abhulimẹn (now Aburime
), etc. Efforts have however been made to return to status quo ante.
Map of Esan Land, Local Government Area and Towns
| LGA | Headquarter | Villages/Towns |
|---|---|---|
| Esan Central | Irrua | (Uneah comprises Ibore, Atuagbo and Ugbalo), Adenu, Afuda, Afuogbo, Atuagbo Ujabhole, Ehanlen, Ehenwen, Eidenu, Ekilor, Eko, Eko, Ekori, Equare, Ewu, Ibhiolulu, Ibore, Idoa, Idumoghodor, Idumoza, Idumoza, Iduwele, Imokano, Irrua, Ohe, Okharomi, Opoji, Udomi, Ugbalo, Ugbegun, Ugbokhare, Unogbo, Usugbenu, Uzokholo |
| Esan North East | Uromi | Amedokhian, Arue, Atani, Awo, Ebhoijie, Ebue, Ebun, Efandion, Egbele, Eguare, Eko-Ibadin, Eror, Ewoki, Ewoyi, Idumoza, Odigwele, Onewa, Oyomon, Ualor-Oke, Ubierumu-Oke, Ukoni, Unuwazi, Uromi, Utako, Uzea |
| Esan South East | Ubiaja | Eguare-Ewatto, Emu, Ewohimi, Feku, Illushi, Inyenlen, Okhodua, Okhu-Esan, Onog-Holo, Oria, Orowa, Ubiaja, Udo, Ugboha, Uroh |
| Esan West | Ekpoma | Akahio, Ebhakuala, Egoro Amede, Egoro Naoka, Ekhiro, Ekoh-Ine, Ekpoma, Emaudo, Emuhi, Idoa, Idumebo, Ihumudumu, Illeh, Iruekpen, Ogwa, Uhiele, Ujemen, Ujiogba, Ujoelen Eguare, Ukhun, Ukpenu, Urohi |
| Igueben | Igueben | Amaho, Ebele, Ebhosa, Ekpon, Igueben, Okalo, Udo, Ugun, Ujorgba |