TRIBE OF THE DAY: Idoma
The Idoma people are a West African ethnic group that primarily inhabit the lower western areas of Benue State, Nigeria. The bulk of their territory is inland, south of the Benue River, some seventy-two kilometers east of its confluence with the Niger River. The Idoma language is classified in the Akweya subgroup of the Idomoid languages of the Volta–Niger family, which include Igede, Alago, Agatu, Etulo, Ete, Akweya (Akpa) and Yala languages of Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Enugu, and Northern Cross River states. The Akweya subgroup is closely related to the Yatye-Akpa subgroup.
The traditional colours of the Idoma people are red and black stripes. This has only been around since the 1980s to foster a distinct Idoma identity.
While the marriage rites and customs of the Idoma people is not unlike that of the Igbos and some other south-eastern cultures, there are specific aspects that clearly distinguish their tradition. In some Idoma subcultures, the groom and his family have to present the bride with a rooster and some money on the marriage day after the bride price has already been paid. If she accepts, it is a sign of approval and disinterest if she rejects the gift. While there are no certain reasons to justify the need for a rooster, it remains an interesting part of the ceremony.
Sources are 101lasttribes.com and Wikipedia but there is videos of the idoma people on YouTube. And a full website about them although it was hard to navigate.
But
LETS CELEBRATE THE IDOMA PEOPLE
