ORIGINS: Several historians have recorded that a total of thirty-four kingdoms (large villages/townships ruled traditionally by monarchs) make up Esan and many of them seem to have their own oral versions of the origin of Esan.  A good majority agree that…. The name ‘Esan’ owes its origin to Bini (Edo) language (meaning, ‘they have fled’ or ‘they jumped away’).  ‘Esan’ people ‘fled/jumped away’ from Benin City for many reasons – the most notable migration occurred for political reasons during the oppressive reign of Oba Ewuare of the Benin Empire (mid-15^th century).  

GEOGRAPHY: ‘Esan land’- where Esan people settled after leaving Benin; is in modern day Edo State, Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa.  Esan land is on a plateau west of the lower Niger River (the third longest river in Africa after the Nile and Congo River).  Esan land is bordered by Etsako to its north and east, the Kukuruku Hills to its west and the Edo State capital – Benin-City, to its south.

AGRICULTURE: Rubber tree (used for the production of rubber products) and palm tree rank highest among Esan trees. The land’s variety of fruits range from mango, orange (ate), grapefruit, pineapple (edin’ebo), guava, cashew, banana (oghede), plantain, black pear, avocado pear, lime to walnut and even more. Cassava, yam, cocoa yam, sweet potato, pepper, okra and rice are some of its farm produce. Traditionally, the Esan people were subsistent farmers.

EDUCATION: The modern Esan man and woman are equally well educated. They occupy high government (civil) service positions at the local, state and federal levels. Indeed, the Esan person can be found in important positions all over the world. There are currently two universities situated in Esanland. The first, Ambrose Alli University was started under the governorship of Prof. A. F. Alli, an illustrious son of Esanland in 1981 while the second, Samuel Adegboyega University, established by the Apostolic Church Mission at Ogwa was approved March 2011 as the 117^th university in Nigeria. There is also the College of Education at Igueben in the area.

CULTURE & TRADITION:  Esan people are great poets and musicians (e.g. the great Umonbuarie).  Everyday life and gossips are expressed through music and dance.  Esan traditional music and dance types include Ijeleghe, Asono, Olukhu (Uje), Ukele, Agbenojie, Ikhio, Ojeke, Ohogho, Akpoja, Oleke,  and the world renowned Igbabonelimin (acrobatic dance).  Unfortunately, many of these music/dances are no longer common except during special ceremonies. Marriages were usually arranged between two families which included payment of dowry by the groom’s family to the bride’s. On the night of delivery of the bride to her new family, it was expected to have “fallen trees” (obstacles) across the road which must be cleared (money paid) to be able to get the bride to her groom.

Notable Esan Sons and Daughters

Anthony Enahoro, late politician and nationalist who raised the motion for the independence of Nigeria in 1953 at the age of 30.

Dr. Christopher Okojie, one of Nigeria’s foremost doctors and a nationalist, was leader of the Mid-West regional House of assembly from 1964-1966. He was an author and historian, perhaps the best source of Esan history and culture. He founded the private Zuma Memorial Hospital in Irrua to supplement the few government hospitals in the area.

Retired Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, formerly the Archbishop of Lagos in the Roman Catholic Church was one of the cardinal priests who elected the current Pope and his predecessor

Ambrose Folorunsho Alli, late professor of Anatomy and former Bendel State Governor was founder of Bendel State University, now renamed Ambrose Alli University in his honor

Stella Obasanjo the First Lady of Nigeria from 1999 until her death in October 2005

M. Duze, a cartographer who authored many atlases for schools in Nigeria and West Africa

Sonny Okosun, late “Ozzidi” musician who later in life became a Christian minister and gospel musician

Chris Oyakhilome, an internationally renowned evangelist with the Christ Embassy Ministry

Common Esan Names and their Meanings

Ofure—Peace

Itohan—Mercy

Eronmosele—My prayers have been answered (by God)

Oseremhen—God’s gift (to me)

Ehikioya—God fights (intercedes) for me

Ehimen—God is good; Good luck

Area Hospitals & Facilities:

1. Irrua Specialist & Teaching Hospital, Irrua  
2. St. Camillus Hospital, Uromi 
3. Zuma Memorial Hospital & Orphanage, Irrua