THE QUESTION OF NDOKI IJAW ORIGIN: MYTH OR REALITY

Résumé

The question of the origin of ethnic groups has been the concern of many historical scholars so much so that it has often generated controversies. Many argue and described the search for historical origins as efforts in futility. That said, one cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that ethnic groups or group of persons have their historical origins without which, a question mark is left on the existence those groups. This paper is an articulate attempt to investigate though the origin of the Ndoki in particular. While many unscrupulous, misguided and historical deficient minded persons argue that the Ndoki are Akwa Ibomites, some submit that they are Ogonies/Rivers. That notwithstanding, I shall in this paper try to investigate and paint a vivid picture of this group. Consequently, it is also imperative to observe that these group of people known and called the Ndoki are one indivisible entity that have lived together as a people for many centuries in their present abode and speak Igbo language though but today are balkanized and are found in Oyigbo (Obigbo) Local Government Area of Rivers State, Ukwa-East Local Government Area in Abia State; and the Uhuobu group of villages which are today part of Akwa Ibom State. It is unfortunate that this calculated military mistake happened to this group in an attempt to keep them perpetually marginalized and impoverished through the mechanism of balkanization. Posterity have proved them wrong that no matter how hard they tried to put a knife in what held these group together which transcends Crude Oil and other selfish sentiments, things refused to fall apart. The paper shall rely heavily on oral sources and archival materials which the researcher believes will provide a more objective account of this group of people (the Ndoki)