Afemai people

The Afemai, also spelled Afenmai, are an ethnic group living in the northern part of Edo State, South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Afemai people occupy six local government areas of Edo state: Etsako West, with headquarters in Auchi, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Owan East, Owan West and Akoko Edo. These make up the Edo-North Senatorial District. The Afemai are also known as the Afenmai, Etsako, Etsakor, Iyekhee, or Yekhee people. In Benin, they are also known as Ivbiosakon people. Previously the name used by British colonial administration was Kukuruku, supposedly after a battle cry "ku-ku-ruku", now considered derogatory. The Afenmai language is a Ghotou-Uneme-Yekhee language, belonging to the North-Central branch of Edoid languages. Afemai is closely related to Edo. Afemai has several documented dialects: Auchi ("Yekhee") Avainwu (Fugar) Aviele Ekperi Ivhiadaobi South Ibie (South Ivbie) Uwepa-Uwano (Weppa Wano) Uzanu, Anegbette, Udochi, Imiava [Uneme] Uzairue. Okpameri Owan Okpella/Okpekpe/ North Ibie ("Ivie") Afemai is made of several kingdoms and clans (large villages/townships ruled traditionally by monarchs) and many of them seem to have their oral historical versions of the origin of Afemai as well as its starting point in history. Historical accounts claimed that they migrated from Benin, during the tyrannical rule of Oba Ewuare, the greatest warrior legend and the most outstanding king in the history of the Benin Empire. “The title Ewuare (Oworuare), meaning "all is well" or the trouble has ceased and as a result, the war is over. The title symbolizes an epoch of reconciliation, reconstruction, and the return of peace among the warring factions in Benin between 1435 and 1440 AD. Shortly after this critical period of war, Akalaka and his two sons Ekpeye and Ogba migrated further southeast to first settle at Ula-Ubie, and subsequently other groups moved out of Benin City and migrated north. However, it has recently become clear that there were people living in Afemai land prior to the migration from Benin City.