Edo people
The Edo people, sometimes referred to as the Bendel people, are an Edo-speaking ethnic group. The Edo who predominantly reside in 7 southern local government areas of the State of Edo, Nigeria are known as 'Benin'. They are speakers of the Edo language and are the descendants of the founders of the Benin Kingdom Ogiso Igodo. They are closely related to other southern Nigerian tribes, such as the Esan, the Etsakọ, the Isoko, and the Urhobo.
An Edo children's cultural assembly | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 5- million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Edo State | |
| Languages | |
| Edo and English | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Afemai, Esan, Isoko, Urhobo |
The name "Benin" (and "Bini") is a Portuguese corruption, ultimately from the word "Ubini", which came into use during the reign of Oba (ruler) Ewuare, c. 1440. "Ubini", an Edo word meaning Livable, used by Pa Idu, the progenitor of the Edo people to describe the area found as a Livable Locale, during their sojourn from the River Niger Area. Ubini was later corrupted to Benin by the mixed ethnicities living together at the centre; and further corrupted to Benin around 1485, when the Portuguese began trade relations with Oba Ewuare giving them coral beads.