WHO ARE THE IGBOMINA? UNVEILING THE CULTURAL IDENTITY AND GLORIOUS DAYS OF THE IGBOMINA PEOPLE

The Ìgbómìnà people are a subgroup of the Yoruba ethnic group are located in the north central and southwest Nigeria. They speak a dialect called Ìgbómìnà or Igbonna, classified among the Central Yoruba of the three major Yoruba dialectical areas. The Ìgbómìnà spread across what is now southern Kwara State and northern Osun State. Traditional Ìgbómìnàland consist of Four local government areas (LGAs) of Kwara State: Irepodun, Ifelodun, some part of Ilorin East and Isin LGAs, as well as two local government areas of Osun State: Ifedayo and Ila LGAs. The major Ìgbómìnà cities in Osun State are Oke-Ila Orangun, Ora, and Ila Orangun, while the major Ìgbómìnà cities in Kwara State which has most of the Ìgbómìnà land and population include: Omu-Aran, Òbà, Ajasse Ipo, Ilala, Eju-land (Igbonla & Sanmora), Eku-Mesesan-Oro (Ijomu-Oro, Iddo-Oro, Okerimi-Oro, Afin-Oro, Okeola-Oro, Ibode-Oro, Oro, Iludun-0ro, Agbeola-Oro),Agbamu, Edidi (Edidi-ona, Edidi Idera, Edidi Oja), Oke-Onigbin, Isanlu Isin, Ijara-Isin, Aran-Orin, Rore, Esiẹ, Omupo, Omido, Ipetu-Igbomina, Igbaja, Ora, Oke-Ode, Owu-Isin, Oro-Ago, Oko- Irese, Ahun, Arandun, Shaare, Oke-Aba.

The villages in Igbomina Ile-Ire are: Owa Onire, Owa Kajola, Owode Ofaro, Idoba Araromi ( This village settled on Owode Ofaro Land, their so called ancestral land at Idoba Orioke near Owa was owned and given to them by Owode Ofaro), Ikosin (Ile Ire District Headquarters where the popular ancient Igbo Ejimogun market was located), Oke-Oyan, Idera, Afin, Alaabe, Obinn or Obinrin Aiyetoro, Oreke Oke, Okeigbo, Babanla. Other Igboimna towns are in Idofian districts, Okanle, Fajeromi, Odo-eku, Ola, Idofin, Iwo, Agbonda, Agbeku, Olayinka, Alakuko-Irorun, Edidi, Ijan-Otun, Agbele, Omido, Okeya, Babanlomo, Agbamu, Ijan, Pamo-Isin, Egii-Owu, Owa-Onire, Durosoto, Koko-Afin, Maloko, Olomi Oja, Omirinrin, Faje, Ajengbe, Alasoro, Idofin Ayekale, Eyin Afo, Idofin Igbana, Idofin Aga, Ekudu, Manasara, Oko Adigun, Kudu-Isin, Oke oyi, Alegongo, Sabaja, Oponda, Oree, Agunjin, Apado, Eleyin, and Yaru to mention but a few.

Prof. Emmanuel Olaniyi Ibiloye is a renowned professor of Economic History specialising in Migration phenomenon, specifically on Igbomina Migration/Diaspora studies. He is a lecturer in the Department of History and International Studies, Osun State University, Osogbo. Of greater importance are his diverse subjects, specifically on Igbomina history which can be easily accessed online, particularly some on the Amazon trading outlet. It is gratifying to note that his work on Igbomina history has brought some hitherto hidden aspects of Igbomina diaspora history to the limelight.

Prof. Emmanuel O. I takes us through the history of Igbomina in the past and present and the struggle for group identity in the 21st century. Seat and enjoy his scholarly perspective on Igbomina history.

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