Ibani tribe
{{Short description|Nigerian ethnic group}}
The Ibani people are Indegenous Ijaw people who live in Bonny and Opobo areas of Rivers State, Nigeria.{{Cite web |last=PeopleGroups.org |title=PeopleGroups.org - Ibani of Nigeria |url=https://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=13835 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=peoplegroups.org}}
Bonny town is the tribal seat of the Ibani, and is located on the bight of Bonny River. Bonny's development was significantly shaped by the tribe's close interaction with European traders from the 15th century to the 18th century.{{Cite web|last=Bortolot|first=Alexander Ives|date=October 2003|title=Trade Relations among European and African Nations|url=https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/aftr/hd_aftr.htm|access-date=2021-09-14|website=www.metmuseum.org}}
History
The Kingdom of Bonny was a major trading center{{Cite web|title=Bonny {{!}} Nigeria|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Bonny|access-date=2021-09-11|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}} from the 16th century onwards. They traded in ivory, elephant teeth and spices before they became major players in the trans-atlantic slave trade. Its people were later known for the exportation of palm oil and palm kernel.{{Cite web|title=Bonny {{!}} Nigeria|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Bonny|access-date=2021-09-14|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}} The indigenes of the Bonny and Opobo kingdoms are collectively known as the Ibani people.{{Cite journal |last1=Enemugwem |first1=JH |last2=Romokere |first2=BS |date=2009-10-08 |title=Obolo (Andoni) Women in The Nigerian Civil War, 1967-1970 |journal=Lwati: A Journal of Contemporary Research |volume=6 |issue=2 |doi=10.4314/lwati.v6i2.46559 |issn=1813-2227|doi-access=free }}
Language
The Ibani language, is part of the Izon Language classification, which is a dialect that has existed since before Nigeria was given its name, is widely spoken in Bonny Kingdom and the Opobo Kingdom, although its pervasiveness has been declining in more recent years due to Westernization.
Wars
Historically, Bonny engaged in several wars against its nearby rivals, such as Elem Kalabari, Obolo people and Andoni.Alagoa, Ebiegberi Joe (2005). A History of the Niger Delta, Port Harcourt: Onyoma Research Publications. {{ISBN|978-37314-5-9}}
Settlements
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Indigenous peoples of Rivers State}}
{{Ethnic groups in Nigeria}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Indigenous peoples of Rivers State
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