Ogoni Nation

Ogoniland lays along the Niger river delta in Southern Nigeria. For Centuries the people have relied upon the fertile soil deposits from the river to fuel the land and provide the crops they need to survive. With the emergence of Shell Oil company in 1962 discovering oil in the land the Ogoni people were at harmony with their environment.

Nigeria has more than 500 ethnic groups, with varying languages and customs, creating a country of rich ethnic diversity. The largest ethnic groups are the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and Fulani, accounting for more than 70% of the population, while the Edo, Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio, Ebira, Nupe, Gwari, Itsekiri, Jukun, Urhobo, Igala, Idoma and Tiv comprise between 25 and 30%; other minorities make up the remaining 5%

The Ogoni people are traditionally known for their terrocotta clay scultptures which represent the beauty of their ancestral heritage.

Location

Ancient

1885

1962

Cultural Art

Ethnic groups

Nnamdi Azikiwe first African President of Nigeria, 1960

Independence1960

The origin of the Ogoni Nation: ccording to oral tradition, the Ogoni people migrated from ancient Ghana down to the Atlantic coast eventually making their way over to the eastern Niger Delta. Linguistic calculations done by Kay Williams place the Ogoni in the Niger Delta since before 15 BC, making them one of the oldest settlers in the eastern Niger Delta region. Radiocarbon dating taken from sites around Ogoniland and the neighboring communities oral traditions also support this claim.[3] Traditionally, the Ogoni are agricultural, also known for livestock herding, fishing, salt and palm oil cultivation and trade.

Colonial History; British Colonizers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogoni_people

Modern Struggles of the Ogoni to maintain their land and culture

Ogoni Nation (Nigeria, West Africa)