13 Interesting Facts About the People of Owan Ethnic Group in Nigeria

This article contains 13 Interesting Facts About the People of Owan Ethnic Group in Nigeria. The name Owan was derived from the longest as well as largest river in the Owan area. Owan in their language means One who makes merry in affluence. The Owan people of Nigeria occupy a region which they proudly dominate in south-south Nigeria.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Owan Ethnic Group

The Owan people live in areas where rivers surround them like the Owan River which is the largest and longest. They believe their origin is tied to a notable daughter of the Egomi of Uvbiato which is currently the present day Uhonmora which means head of all Ora.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Owan Ethnic Group in Nigeria

Keep reading to learn more interesting and educative facts about the people of the Owan ethnic group in Nigeria.

1. State of Residence in the Country

The Owan people of Nigeria are in the northern region of Edo state which is in the south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

2. Local Government Area

Currently, the Owan tribe consists of two local government areas namely the Owan East and also the Owan West.

3. Population; Interesting Facts About the People of Owan Ethnic Group

Owan is not a small ethnic group in Edo state. The people of Owan dominates the Owan West and Owan East local government area in which they live. They are more popular than any other than in the two towns they live in but not as popular as every other Edo tribe.

4. Language

Owan people speak the Owan language which is their primary language and most popular in Owan local government areas. The language is an Edoid language.

5. Clans of Owan

The Edoid people of Owan have numerous clans that form the bulk of their population. The most notable clans are;

  • Ivbi-Mion
  • Ikao
  • Ivbi-adaobi
  • Lulehap land
  • Igue
  • Otuo
  • Ozalla
  • Ora
  • Ikhin

Note that these clans make up the Owan tribe.

6. Ethnicity is Among the Interesting Facts About the People of the Owan Ethnic Group

Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan People.

People Cluster: Benue.

People Group: Owan.

Ethnic Code: NAB56b.

7. Notable Owan People

They are;

  • Modupe Ozolua
  • Aize Obayan
  • Yisa Braimoh
  • Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede
  • Mai Atafo
  • Mabel Segun
  • Waje
  • Dele Momodu
  • DJ Neptune

These notable people hail from the Owan ethnic group.

8. Tourist Centres

Owan East and Owan West local government areas are blessed by nature with do many beautiful places that attract visitors and tourists. Some of the attractable places are;

  • The Giant Footprints of Ikhuse-osi in Owan West
  • Akatamiyan Shrine in Ihievbe, Owan East.
  • The Great Hills of Urhoe in Owan East.
  • The lapping risks of Igwe-sale in Owan East.
  • Arthe Spring in Uzebba in Owan West.
  • Agbede Abohi in Avbiosi in Owan West.

Each of these locations holds histories and stories behind them. These stories attract people and visitors to the towns and also the aesthetic of the locations.

9. Natural Resources; Interesting Facts About the People of Owan Ethnic Group

There are not many minerals in the local government area of the people of Owan but Edo state is rich in minerals like gold, gypsum, and clay, and also has risks like limestone, and marble. Other natural resources include lignite, phosphate, iron-ore, glass sand, oil and gas, and bitumen.

10. Neighbours

Edo state has boundaries to the northwest, east, southeast, south-south, and also west. These states are Kogi State, Anambra State, Delta State, and Ondo State respectively. Delta state shares boundaries to the southeast as well as south-south.

11. Education

Owan local government area does not have any University for the people to attend, however, there are reputable universities in Edo state available and open to all indigenes of Edo state including the Owan people. Here are some of the universities.

  • University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin.
  • Ambrose Ally University, Ekpoma.
  • Igbinedion University, Okada.
  • Edo Technical College.
  • Mudiame University, Iruua.
  • College of Education, Ekiadolor.

12. Occupation is One of the Interesting Facts About the People of the Owan Ethnic Group

They are mostly farmers. However, some of them are literate and have good jobs. They are not a poor ethnic group. They involve themselves in lots of tourist activities and also mining activities that provide them with a source of income.

13. Religion

The largest religion is shared between Christianity and Islamic religion. Though a large percentage of the population are Christians and Muslims, a good percentage of them also practice ethno-religion.

Conclusion

With these facts above, you now know some foundational basics about the Owan people in the Edo state of Nigeria.

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