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

The major tribes in Nigeria include the Yoruba, Hausa as well as Igbo tribes with more population than every other tribe. There are still some small tribes that are not so popular today. One of these small and unpopular tribes is the Olukumi people. This post will give you 13 Interesting Facts About the People of Olukumi Ethnic Group in Nigeria.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Olukumi Ethnic Group

One major fact you will learn is the clarity about the Olukumi people tied to the Yoruba ancestry. Lots of scholars and also the Olukumi people are of the opinion that they share a Yoruba origin and also an Olukumi origin. With this article, you get to find more Olukumi people interesting facts.

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

With the following, you can learn interesting as well as educational facts about the people of Olukumi ethnic group in Nigeria.

1. State of Residence in the Country

The Olukumi people of Yoruba origin are residing in Delta state which is part of the Niger Delta and it is the south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

2. Local Government Area

In Delta state, they only live in one local government area where they gave all their clans and communities as well as subgroups. They are in Aniocha North local government area in Delta State.

3. The population is One of the Interesting Facts About the People of Olukumi Ethnic Group

The people are a growing population. They are not a big ethnic group. A population survey estimated them to be 20,000 in number. Together they live with the Igbo ethnic group in the same local government area but their population is far lesser than that of the Igbo people.

4. Language

The primary language to them is Olukwumi. This language is part of the Benue-Congo language recognized only in Delta state, Nigeria with a maximum of 20,000 speakers.

5. Towns of Olukumi

There are 7 towns and one village in Olukumi. They are;

  • Ukwu Nzu
  • Ugbodu
  • Idumu Ogo
  • Idumu Ogo
  • Ugboba or Ugbo Oba
  • Ogodor
  • Ogbe Onei or Obomkpa
  • Animal Village

Each of these towns has an origin and a notable person.

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

Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan People

People Cluster: Benue-Congo

People Group: Olukumi

Ethnic Code: NAB56b

7. Notable Olukumi People

They are;

  • Prince Joseph Akabudike
  • Joseph Ndidi Ofulue
  • Helen Anyamelune
  • HRE John Ofulue
  • Nduka Ugbade
  • Chinedum Mordi

These notable people are mostly known due to their professional paths in Delta State.

8. Non-Village Olukumi Ancestry

It is very important to note that there are some villages that the Olukumi people do not live in but however, these villages carry some of the ancestral origins of the Olukumi people.

They may have their origin probably because the Olukumi people once existed there and may have migrated. The villages are Onichaku or Ubulu Uku and also Ogbekenu of Onicha-Ugbo.

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

There are not many natural resources in their area but the rock chalk which is a soft white porous sedimentary rock s very prominent there while the kaolin mineral is abundant. They mine these resources for different commercial purposes.

10. Geography

The state where the Olukumi people live; Delta state shares boundaries with four states. Edo state to the north, Anambra to the east, and also Rivers state to the east, and Bayelsa state to the south.

11. Education

There are so many Universities and tertiary institutions in Delta State that the people of Olukumi can access at any time. Here are some of the institutions;

  • University of Delta in Agbor
  • Delta State University, Abraka
  • Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun
  • Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Ughelli
  • Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun

These aforementioned are the few Universities in Delta State.

12. Occupation; Interesting Facts About the People of Olukumi Ethnic Group

They usually mine chalk and kaolin for different purposes like commercial purposes and health benefits and also they are farmers and fishers. They gave access to some mining industries around them and also to public offices.

13. History

The Olukumi people are known to be emigrants of the Yoruba tribe. Sometimes, people refer to them as part of the Yoruba ancestry but they are no longer part of it since they broke out to form their own tribe.

Also, apart from leaving the Yoruba tribe due to wars that rages during pre-colonial Africa in the 18th century, they claim to be the first to be in their current location way long before the arrival of their Igbo neighbours.

Conclusion

These facts above have been able to establish and distinguish the Olukumi people tribe from the Yoruba ancestry. You can learn more by reading about the Yoruba tribe.

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