BENIN AND HER IKA NEIGHBOR: A STUDY OF INTER-GROUP RELATIONS IN PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

ABSTRACT

There are many evidences that has been able to show the social political and economic organization in Ika South local government area. Delta state and Bini. many stories which can portray the pre-colonial relationship between Ika and Bini communities . Some to show their performances like shield and that of the slave trade as it affects Agbor people. Basically, the Ikas migrate from Benin in many ways and settled in Agbor, Owa, Umunede and other Ika towns. It was also said that the first Obi of Agbor was a Benin Prince and that most Obis of Ika land were Benin Prince and noble men. The early languages of the Ika was called Bibi which is close to Benin language and later other people migrated from Igbo land to join them and then the language started evolving which therefore means that Ikas were Benin descendants, we know that under Oba Ewuare and Esigie, Benin descendants whether in Benin City proper or outside of Benin had the tribal mark called Igu, this mark was the same mark giving to the ancient Ika people.