A Brief History of Kogi State Nigeria
Introduction:
Kogi state is located in the North Central region of Nigeria, it is a multi-ethnic state that is home to many tribes, languages, and cultures. Coordinates: 7°30′N 6°42′E
Despite the ever-changing social and political climates of the state, some traditions have managed to remain intact, such as age-long ceremonies and festivals, as well as language and some traditional customs. Let’s take a look at the history of Kogi state Nigeria.
The culture of Kogi state
There are three major ethnic groups in Kogi state, namely Igala, Okun(Yoruba), and Ebira. The Igala people are the major ethnic group in Kogi state and their culture is rich, diverse and well preserved.
Kogi state is known for its traditional music, dance and masquerades. There are many traditional ceremonies that are still observed today, such as the Ibaji harvest festival, Ovi osese festival, Oro festival in in Kabba, Ebira masqurades, and the Ankole birthday ceremony.
The traditional crafts and attire of the Igala, Okun, Ebira and Bassa people are also still popular and can be seen in markets and souvenir shops throughout Kogi state.
Kogi state towns and Villages
Kogi state is one of the 36 states in Nigeria. It was created on 27th August 1991, carved out of Benue and Kwara states. Kogi is located in the Middle Belt of Nigeria and shares boundaries with 10 other states namely Nasarawa, Taraba, Benue, Enugu, Niger, Kwara, Ekiti, Ondo and The Federal Capital Teritory.
The state is administratively divided into 21 local government areas. The major towns in Kogi state are: Lokoja, Okene, Kabba, Egbe, Ajaokuta, Idah, Ankpa, and Ayingba.
Ethnic tribes in Kogi state
The Igala people make up majority of the population in Kogi state, and the Okun, Ebira, and Bassa, Kakanda, Ogori people are the other main ethnic groups. in total Kogi comprises of over thirteen tribes.
Each group has its own distinct culture, which is evident in the Language, traditional dresses, food, music and way of life. The Igala people are known for agriculture and are resopnsible for producing the famous ibaji yam, palm oil, cashew nuts, etc.
While the Ebira people are well-known for their craft work and cloth weaving. The Okuns are known for their intelctual and creative abilily, and produce food and cash crops such as maize, cassava, and cocoa. Kogi state is a rich and culturally diverse area with a fascinating history. We invite you to explore it further!
The role of Kogi state in Nigeria
The Kogi people are one of the largest tribes in Nigeria, with a population of over 5 million. Kogi state serves as the link Nortehen and Southern Nigeria. The indegines people of Kogi are believed to have migrated from different parts of the country.
The Kogi people have a rich history and culture, which has been strongly influenced by their interaction with other tribes in Nigeria. Kogi is the most educated state in Nothern Nigeria and they are renowned for their hign intelect, traditional movies and their crafts and artworks are highly sought-after.
Prominent People from Kogi are: Yahaya Bello, Dino Melaye, Prince Abubakar Audu, John Obaro, Tunde Ayeni, Mercy Johnson.
Kogi state food and crops
Kogi state is located in the central region of Nigeria. It is bordered by Nassarawa state to the north, Benue state to the east, Kwara state to the south, and Kastina state to the west.
The Kogi people are the primary inhabitants of the state. The state is known for its yam, rice, cassava, beans, and maize crops. The yam is a staple food in Nigeria, and Kogi state is one of the primary producers of yams in the country.
The state is also known for its egusi soup, a popular Nigerian dish made with ground melon seeds. The soup is made with vegetables, meat or fish, and a thickener.
Conclusion:
The history of Kogi state cannot be complete without mentioning the fact that Lokoja, the state capital was the first administrative capital of Nigeria. state is widely regarded as the “mini Nigeria” as a result of its political culture resembling that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. However, with regard to population size it ranks 20th out of the 36 states in Nigeria. The name Kogi means River.
