WESTERN IJAW AND HER ITSEKIRI NEIGHBORS

SUMMARY

This research work examined the relation between the Western Ijaw and Itsekiri people of Niger Delta in pre-colonial period. It was informed by the fact that these two group despite the hostiles directed at each other in recent time, both groups once had peaceful relations but along the line having had contact with the Europeans the status quo changed. Furthermore, this Research work also examined the Origin of both the Ijaw and the Itsekiri groups or tribe in the Niger Delta region, Such as Oral tradition, Migration, interaction as well as the political and cultural difference and similarities that existed among the various groups. In other words, this research work tried to give a detailed assessment of why there is somewhat enmity between the Ijaw and Itsekiri people of the Niger Delta region. Consequently, this research work led to the discovery that although both tribes benefited from the trade and education which the European introduced, the beginning of the enmity that existed between both groups could also be attributed to the same development.