Igbanke

Igbanke
Community/ethnicity
Igbanke
Igbanke Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°23′13″N 6°09′53″E
Country	Nigeria
State	Edo
LGA	Orhionmwon
Government
• Councillors	Isan Chuks Osariemen Daniel
Area
• Total	170.3 km2 (65.8 sq mi)
Population  (2017)
• Total	30,500
• Density	24.41/km2 (63.21/sq mi)
Climate	Aw

Igbanke (formerly known as Igbo-Akiri) is a community located in Orhionmwon, Edo State. Igbanke belongs to the Ika speaking group of the Igbo people with a significant number in the Ika South and North East LGAs of Delta State. Igbanke was carved into Edo State during the creation of the state on August 27, 1991 hence separating them from the larger Ika group in Delta State. The Igbanke community is divided into 6 villages: Omolua, Ottah, Idumuodin, Ake, Olije and Igbontor.

History

Igbanke consists of six villages which came together from the earliest times preceding the slave trade era. The people of Idumu Odin, Ake, Omolua, Oligie, Ottah, and Igbontor are the villages that came together to establish their settlement which over the years has been referred to as Igbanke.

Occupation

Igbanke is located within the rainforest belt of the vegetation zone of West Africa. Traditionally, the Igbanke people are majorly farmers. Their agricultural products are yams, cassava, vegetables and plantain. Other occupations include hunting, trading, and medicine. The women are mostly traders. The Igbanke Eke Market, located at Oligie, served as a major market that connected the northern and southern regions during the colonial era. some Igbanke people are also craftsmen/women and some specialize in blacksmithing, pottery, and basket making among others. There are also traditional midwives and healers, and diviners in Igbanke. However, in modern times, the Igbanke are represented in most fields of human endeavours across the world