|
Tribe Snapshots Idoma |
| Location: |
Central Nigeria |
| Population: |
250,000 |
| Language: |
Idoma (Idoma Cluster of Kwa) |
| Neighboring
Peoples: |
Ibibio,
Igbo,
Mama, Mumuye |
| Types
of Art: |
Idoma art in Western collections primarily consists
of wooden masks which are used at funerals and
for social control and of anthropomorphic wooden
figures that may often be quite large. |
| History: |
Linguistic evidence suggests that the Idoma
have lived in their present day region for at
least four to five thousand years, and that they
probably moved into the area from the north along
with the forbearers of Yoruba, Bini, and Igbo
peoples sometime before that. All of these peoples
belong to the Kwa family of languages, and linguists
are able to estimate separation times based on
the differences in their individual languages.
They broke off of one of the larger ethnic groups
in the area at some point in the distant past
and began developing their own culture in relative
isolation from their parent group. |
| Economy: |
Most Idoma are farmers. Their staple crops are
yams and taro, known locally as cocoa yams. Harvesting
is a time for great celebration. Yams are produced
efficiently enough to export them to their neighbors.
They also harvest the fruit of the oil palm which
is processed into oil and exported to Europe in
large quantities, making it a fairly profitable
cash crop. Other crops of importance include maize,
manioc, peppers, peanuts, tomatoes, squash, and
sweet potatoes. Goats, sheep, chickens and dogs
are kept by nearly everyone. Although hunting
no longer provides a substantial contribution
to the local economy, fishing has remained very
important throughout the region. |
| Political
Systems: |
The Idoma may live in compact villages or in
relatively dispersed family homesteads. Political
ties exist primarily on the community level with
a headman, or chief, who inherits his position
along patrilineal lines. Royal succession among
the Idoma often alternates between two patrilineal
lines, to some extent weakening the power of the
ruler. The chief usually consults a council of
elders before making any important decisions.
In the past, age-grade societies and the related
masking traditions contributed to social control.
|
| Religion: |
Idoma religion focuses on honoring lineage ancestors.
Funeral ceremonies among the Idoma are often quite
dramatic, with greater attention afforded to members
of the community who have reached a combination
of advanced age and prestige. Extensive funerals
are held for both women and men in preparation
for sending them on their final journey away from
the village to the spirit world across the river.
A memorial service, or second burial, is held
for the deceased some time after the original
burial in order to ensure that the dead pass on
to the ancestor world in proper style. |
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