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

The people of the Andoni Ethnic groups have some interesting facts about them. Learning about the different ethnic groups in Nigeria is important especially if you are a Nigerian and if you are from the Andoni Ethnic group it is also important for you to know about your people.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of the Andoni Ethnic Group

Every ethnic group in Nigeria is filled with history, cultures and traditions, so the Andoni Ethnic Group is no different.

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

The people of the Andoni Ethnic Group have quite some interesting facts about them and these facts would be shared with you in this article.

1. They Can be Found in Two States in Nigeria

The people of Andoni occupy two states in Nigeria and these States are Rivers State and Akwa-Ibom State. They occupy areas that are close to water.

2. They are a Large Ethnic Group

The Andoni people are a large ethnic group, having a population of one million people and counting. They are really large.

3. This Ethnic Group has Been Around for a Long Time and this is one of the Interesting Facts About the People of the Andoni Ethnic Group

This ethnic group is believed to have existed for a long time and the people accepted Christianity long before 1969. They have also made contact with European and Portuguese traders.

4. The Andoni People’s Language

The language of the Andoni people is called Obolo and it is their only language. Though now it is now a combination of Efik, Ibibio, Oron and Ijaw dialects.

5. They are also known by Another Name

The Andoni People are also called Obolo or Idoni. They have historical relations with the people of Oron, Ohafia, Igbo Ogoloma, Ido and Ibeno who are also from the Niger Delta.

6. They Celebrate An Annual Fishing Festival and this is Among the Interesting Facts About the People of the Andoni Ethnic Group

The annual fishing festival is an important celebration. This festival is called Ijok-Irin and it is celebrated every July fifth. The festival marks the end of the annual traditional fishing season as migrant fishermen return home.

7. They also Have a Masquerade Celebration

This masquerade is called Nwantam Masquerade and it is celebrated every first of January. This celebration is the highlight among these people and they share it with the Opobo, Nkoro and  Bonny people.

8. They are Very Cultural

They are very cultural and they still maintain a lot of their traditions and values to this day. Also, they still perform their annual festivals which include the Nwantam Masquerade, the annual fishing festival and so on.

9. They Address Themselves as Egbe and this is one of the Interesting Facts About the People of the Andoni Ethnic Group

They have been known to have addressed themselves as Egbe. The term Egbe means tiger in simple English but to them it means warrior, it also means strong and fearless brave people.

10. They were Commercial Before the Colonial Era

Before the colonial era, the Agoni people already had commercial contacts with other neighbouring tribes. They are also known to have made commercial contacts with European traders. They also interacted with the Bonny, Okrika, Kalabari, Nkoro and Ette People.

11. They are Mainly a Fishing Settlement

Since they mainly live on islands their major source of income became fishing. They have the largest fishing settlement and they have also fought in a lot of wars with the Ogonis, yet still being on good terms with them.

12. They Have Settled in Several Parts of the Niger Delta and this is Among the Interesting Facts About the People of the Andoni Ethnic Group

Over the years the Andoni people have settled in different areas of the Niger Delta and also different parts of west Africa. They have migrated to Akwa Ibom, Andoni, Kala-Ido and Ogoloma in Okrika and Kalabari in Rivers state.

13. Their Villages are Situated on Islands

The Andoni people have their villages and towns situated on islands. These islands comprise of Ngo Ile Town, Akaradi Province, Ikuru Town, Unyeangala, Asukama, Agana, Egwede, Ayamboko Town, Agwut-Obolo, Ilotombi, Ekede and stretched to Oyorokoto.

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