SOCIALSTRUCTURE

 

Anda(Clan)

The word 'Anda' in its strongest translation denotes clan as it’s the only English word that really connotes what ‘Anda’ means. Using words like 'Kindred' 'family' connotes blood relationship as in Igarra two persons can be from the same 'Anda' stock and not be related by blood yet sexual relationships between them are considered incestuous by customs which dates back to prehistoric times. On the other hand two persons closely related by blood could fall into two different ‘Anda’, i.e. if their parents are siblings or half siblings one is male and the other female.

Essentially an Anda is a group of persons who belong to the over fifteen batches of arriving migrants each under particular figures whose emigrational leadership they freely consented to hence consider such fugues as their father them their children.

Classifications

Presently there are only fifteen surviving ‘Anda’ with some been threatened with extinction on account of having just few males left as descent in Igarra is patrilineal while some suffered some set-back resulting in the loss of large numbers of their people. The clan names fall naturally into three intonation prefixes such as the (ESHI) group, the (EZl) group, and the (AN) group. No one has yet been able to give any authoritative interpretations of the three groups.

It has, however, been suggested that both the ESHI and the EZI groups originated or descended from their named ancestors, while the AN group denotes the functions or identity of the people.

Like the Ebira people, there are two major clan alignments in Etuno: EZIEZU and EZIOBE. These are not clans in themselves but merely affiliations and alignments, which means children of ‘Tiger’ and  ‘Hunter’ respectively. The Eziezu group is made up of Andede, Eshinagada, Eshinogu, Eshinavaka and Andiba; while those of the Eziobe are Anonyete, Anona, Anoverewa, Eziodu, Ezioga, Eziakuta, Eziakozi and Eshimozoko clans. Legend has it that Ezumoroye clan rather than join the rest migrant clans uphill opted for a place on the protective plains but unfortunately, as common in those days got wiped out by invading Nupe army and Bini conquerors. Likewise Eziodu clan on their way back from communal farm decided to have a rest at the Abasu area speifically under a boulder but that fateful day the boulder collapsed and crushed most of them to death. These rather unfortunate, historic events have contributed to the drastic reduction of the above named clans in Igarra till date.

1. Anonyente Clan has four irenguopo namely Ava, Eshi, Odumoro and Akada.

However, Eshi is further divided into the following Abara; Oseh, Akande, Afekhai, Akpologun, Obe obani, Oketa, Idania.

2. Anona has two irenguopo Uvete and Upogo the Abara into which these two are subdivided includes; Apere, Ijimoh ochi, Saiki, Ogidama, Ettah, Inani Uko, Akande, Akpeji, Okakurefu

3. Andede

4. Andiba

5.Anoverewa

6. Anoseri

7. Eshimizoko has three irenguopo namely Uzumi, Ivisheba and Okenga

8. Eshinagada has; Ogaiuku, Ubauru

9. Eshinogu has: Ivishe, Ogbodo, Oshiogu, Aboro

10. Eshinavaka has the following irengwopo; Osiwo, Onobo, Avi, Ibemi

11. Eziakuta has three Irenguopo namely; Onfere, Opoporiku, Afuesha, Abuba.

However Opoporiku is further divided into seven Abara which are; Ukanah Onubeji, Apeji Ivarafi, Obayin idogun, Ogaji, Emah, Olowojoba, Gadimoh.

12. Eziodu has four abara namely: Ibalogun/okeje, Adanuva, Orijio, Okara

13. Ezioga has the following Irengwopo: Iretoji, Usege, Adumveku, Eshionniyyozame.

14. Eziakozi Family

15. EziUzomoroye

Each of these surviving Anda is headed by their clan heads that is traditional, spiritual and political head of his clan. The members of each clan owe allegiance to a head elected by themselves only, the clans head domain does not in any way extends to other clans as other clans live in autonomy in the same system.

While Eziakozi, Ezioga, Anoverewa, Eziodu, and Eziakuta constitute the Ezidowo group headed by OSHIDU of Igarra; Andede, Andiba, Eshinavaka, Eshinogu, and Eshinagada constitue the Eziezu group headed by the OTARU of Igarra. Eshimozoko, Anona, Anonyete stands individually on their own headed traditionally by the OSHEMI of Igarra, OTU of Igarra and OSHEMDASE of Igarra respectively.