Rivers State is one of Nigeria’s most culturally diverse states, with about 23 different ethnic groups. The major tribes are Ikwerre, Ogoni, and Ijaw, which form the largest cultural groups in the state.
Other notable tribes are the Kalabari, Ekpeye, Ogba, Abua, Degema, Eleme, Opobo, Etche, Nkoro, Kula, Boma, Ibani (Bonny), Egeni, and Nkoroo.
Each group has its customs and language. In total, about 30 different languages and dialects are spoken across the state. These languages mostly belong to the Benue-Congo, Ijoid, and Ogoni families.
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Majority Tribes In Rivers State
| Tribe | Location | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Ikwerre | Upland areas around Port Harcourt | Igboid |
| Ogoni | Southern Upland (Ogoni land) | Ogoni |
| Ijaw | Riverine/coastal areas | Ijoid dialects |
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Ikwerre Tribe
The Ikwerre people, also called Iwhuruọha, are one of the largest ethnic groups in Rivers State, Nigeria. They live in the upland parts of the state, spread across four Local Government Areas: Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor, Ikwerre, and Emohua.
The Ikwerre are made up of seven major communities known as “Ikwerre Essa,” which include Elele, Isiokpo, Rumuji, Emohua, Choba, Aluu, and Igwuruta.
According to oral tradition and research, the Ikwerre people descended from the ancient Benin Kingdom. Led by a legendary figure named Akalaka, their ancestors left Benin due to internal disagreement and the search for more fertile land.
This movement brought them to the Niger Delta, where they founded the Ikwerre settlements. Though their language shares similarities with Igbo, since it is part of the Igboid language group, the Ikwerre have a clearly defined cultural and ethnic identity, which Nigeria’s 1979 Constitution officially recognizes.
The Ikwerre are mainly farmers, hunters, and traders, taking advantage of fertile soil and natural wealth in their region.
Their cultural life is lively, with events such as traditional wrestling, masquerades like Ekpo and Ekpe, and community festivals.
Traditional dress includes the “woko” shirt and wrapper for women, and the “opu wagoro” cap for men. Since 1963, the Ogbakor Ikwerre has served as the main cultural group that unites the people.
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Ogoni Tribe
The Ogoni people are an indigenous ethnic group living in southeastern Rivers State, Nigeria, in an area called Ogoniland.
This region covers about 1,050 square kilometers and includes four Local Government Areas: Khana, Gokana, Eleme, and Tai.
Their population is estimated to be between 700,000 and 2 million. The Ogoni have a rich culture, speak languages from the Ogoni cluster within the Niger-Congo family.
They do not usually marry outside their group, which helps preserve their customs. For over 500 years, the Ogoni have lived in their land, farming yams, cassava, and palm oil, and fishing in local waters.
Their way of life changed drastically after oil was discovered in 1958. Oil companies, especially Shell, caused severe environmental damage through spills and gas flaring.
Rivers were polluted, farmlands ruined, and many people lost their means of survival. In 1990, the Ogoni formed MOSOP (Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People) to demand justice, political rights, and environmental protection.
Led by Ken Saro-Wiwa, MOSOP stayed peaceful but firm. In 1993, over 300,000 Ogoni people marched to protest the exploitation of their land. However, in 1995, the Nigerian government executed Saro-Wiwa and eight others after a controversial trial.
Their deaths drew global criticism and showed the ongoing problems of environmental damage, ethnic discrimination, and political repression in the Niger Delta.
Ijaw Tribe
The Ijaw people, also called Izon or Ijo, are one of Nigeria’s oldest and largest ethnic groups, with a population of around 13 to 15 million.
They live in the river and coastal areas of the Niger Delta, including states like Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Ondo, Edo, and Akwa Ibom.
The Ijaw believe their ancestors came from the ancient Oru people, who moved from inner 23Africa to settle in the Delta region.
Their communities are organized into independent clans and kingdoms such as Nembe, Brass, Bonny, and Opobo, each with its own dialect. Traditionally, the Ijaw rely on fishing, canoe-making, and trade along the waterways.
By the 15th century, they were already trading with Europeans, dealing in goods like palm oil and, unfortunately, also participating in the transatlantic slave trade.
Water is a big part of their culture and religion, seen in their festivals, music, and dances.
Minority Tribes In River State
| Tribe | Location | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Kalabari | Riverine areas, mainly Bonny and Abonnema | Ijoid (Kalabari dialect) |
| Ekpeye | Upland areas around Ahoada and Ogba-Egbema | Igboid (Ekpeye language) |
| Ogba | Upland areas near Omoku | Benue-Congo (Ogba language) |
| Abua | Upland and riverine areas near Port Harcourt | Igboid (Abua dialect) |
| Degema | Degema Island and riverine communities | Ijoid (Degema dialect) |
| Eleme | Near Port Harcourt, upland and riverine | Ogoni language |
| Opobo | Riverine areas, Opobo city, and environs | Ijoid (Opobo dialect) |
| Nkoro | Riverine communities in Andoni LGA | Ijoid (Nkoro dialect) |
| Boma | Riverine settlements in Khana LGA | Ijoid (Boma dialect) |
| Nkoroo | Riverine areas near Bonny | Ijoid (Nkoroo dialect) |
| Etche | Upland areas near Omuma and Etche LGA | Igboid (Etche dialect) |
| Egeni | Riverine areas in Akuku-Toru LGA | Ijoid (Egeni dialect) |
| Ibani (Bonny) | Riverine areas, Bonny Island | Ijoid (Ibani dialect) |
| Kula | Akuku-Toru LGA, riverine communities | Ijoid (Kula dialect) |
| Ndoni | Riverine and upland areas in Ndoni LGA | Igboid (Ndoni dialect) |
| Okrika | Riverine areas around Okrika town | Ijoid (Okrika dialect) |
| Andoni | Riverine areas in Andoni LGA | Ijoid (Andoni dialect) |
| Engenni | Upland areas in Ahoada East LGA | Edoid (Engenni language) |
| Odual | Riverine communities in Abua/Odual LGA | Ijoid (Odual dialect) |
| Elele | Upland area, sometimes considered part of Ikwerre | Igboid (Elele dialect) |
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Kalabari Tribe
The Kalabari people are a well-known river-based ethnic group in Rivers State and part of the larger Ijaw nation. Their traditional homeland, the Kalabari Kingdom, includes towns like Buguma (the capital), Abonnema, and Bakana.
This kingdom was founded in the 1600s by King Amachree I and is still ruled by a king known as the Amanayanabo, along with a group of chiefs, many of whom come from royal families. With over 550,000 people, the Kalabari have a history of seafaring and trade.
In the past, they connected the inland regions to European traders. Their society is made up of War Canoe Houses, which are large family groups that handle leadership, defense, and business.
Kalabari culture is rich with water-based beliefs, ancestor worship, and colorful masquerades. Music, dancing, and bright clothing are key parts of who they are. They are also known for seafood dishes like fisherman soup and onunu.
Ekpeye Tribe
The Ekpeye people live mainly in Ahoada East and parts of Ahoada West in Rivers State, with Ahoada being their main town, numbering over 230,000.
However, the Ekpeye society is made up of seven major clans called Igbu, each led by a chief. Their highest traditional leader is Eze Ekpeye Logbo, whose leadership began officially in 1977.
The Ekpeye value their traditions, which include respect for ancestors, sacred animals, and rituals that have meaning. Most Ekpeye people are farmers and fishermen.
They celebrate festivals like Ogwu-Ukpukpumini, which is the farming season. Even with modern changes and Christianity, the Ekpeye still keep their customs alive through proverbs, stories, and songs, which pass down wisdom and history from one generation to the next.
Ogba Tribe
The Ogba people reside in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni area of Rivers State. They speak Ogba, a language with three dialects: Usomini, Igburu, and Egi.
Their ancestors came from the north, and they are closely related to the Ekpeye and other nearby groups. Ogba communities are independent and led by chiefs and elders. Their society is built around extended families and villages that manage their own cultural and social activities.
Farming is their main job, with crops like yams, cassava, and oil palm. They also fish and trade. The Ogba people enjoy traditional festivals that include music, dancing, and storytelling.
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Abua Tribe
The Abua people, also called Abuan, live in a riverine kingdom in Rivers State, Nigeria, about 10 miles from Port Harcourt.
Their language, Abua, is part of the Cross River language family and is spoken by around 35,000 people. It is related to Efik and Ibibio.
Oral stories made us believe that the Abua migrated from central Africa through the Cross River area and settled where they are now around the late 13th century.
However, their community is made up of clans that go back to a common ancestor named Abua. Some of their early villages include Emughami, Okpadien, Otami, and Agana.
The Abua people have long depended on fishing and farming in the rich lands of the Niger Delta. They celebrate the Eyaal-Abua New Yam Festival with dances, rituals, and colorful outfits to honor their ancestors.
Degema Tribe
Degema is both a town and a local government area in Rivers State, found in the Niger Delta. It shares borders with several other communities and has over 138,000 residents.
The people speak the Degema language, which belongs to the Edoid family, and it’s used in Degema Town and Usokun-Degema.
Though there are slight differences in dialect, they understand each other. Degema became an important trade center in the 1800s after the slave trade ended, especially for palm oil and palm kernels.
The land has mangroves and forests, making it good for farming and fishing. Christianity is the main religion, and cultural festivals like Agiri and Igugule are still celebrated.
Eleme Tribe
The Eleme people reside in ten major towns in Rivers State, covering about 140 square kilometers just east of Port Harcourt. These towns are Akpajo, Aleto, Alesa, and Ogale, among others.
The Eleme language is spoken by about 40,000 to 50,000 people and is part of the Ogoni language group. Even though it’s related to other Ogoni languages, Eleme is unique in its grammar and structure.
Traditionally, Eleme families grow crops like yams, cassava, plantains, and palm fruit. Things changed in 1958 when oil was discovered in the area.
This brought industries, oil refineries, and many new people into the community. While this development has created jobs and boosted the economy, it has also caused environmental damage, including soil pollution.
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Opobo Tribe
The Opobo people are part of the larger Ijaw ethnic group and live in the Opobo-Nkoro area of Rivers State. Their history began in 1870 when King Jaja, a respected leader from Bonny, founded the city of Opobo.
Since then, Opobo has grown into a notable trading center in the Niger Delta. The people live across several river-based communities like Opobo Town, Queenstown, Kalasunju, and Oloma.
They speak the Ibani dialect, though many also speak Igbo because of trade connections. Fishing, local trade, and water transport are their main ways of making a living.
In their customs, dogs aren’t kept as pets, shooting guns is only allowed with royal permission, and movement through compounds follows strict rules like removing caps and not stepping on certain parts of the walkway.
Cultural events, including the Egerebite and Bibite ceremonies for women and the War Canoe Festival, show their ties to water spirits and tradition.
Nkoro Tribe
The Nkoro people are a smaller Ijaw group living in the river areas of Andoni, Rivers State. They speak the Nkoro dialect, which is related to the language of other Ijaw groups like the Kalabari and Boma.
Fishing and trading are their main jobs, due to the creeks and waterways that surround them. Their society is built on clans, and decisions are guided by elders and chiefs.
Festivals with drumming, dances, and masquerades bring the community together. These events are believed to protect the environment and help with fishing.
The Nkoro have been affected by oil spills and pollution, which threaten their way of life. Still, they continue to fight for their land and hold on to their language and customs.
Boma Tribe
The Boma people belong to the Ijaw ethnic family and mostly live in Khana, Rivers State. Their lives revolve around rivers, where they fish, farm, and trade. They speak the Boma dialect and share many traditions with the Kalabari and Nkoro people.
Boma people are skilled at building canoes and growing crops like yams and cassava. Their festivals honor water gods believed to bring good fishing and community blessings.
Nkoroo Tribe
The Nkoroo people are a small group within the larger Ijaw ethnic family. They mostly live in Nkoro Town, found in the Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria.
Though they’re often called Nkoroo by others, they call themselves Kirika and speak the Kirika language. As of 1989, their population was about 4,700. However, they share their town and way of life with the Defaka people.
The Nkoroo trace their ancestry to the Okrika people and often refer to themselves as Kala-Kirika, which means ‘Little Okrika.
Located in the Niger Delta, their communities, such as Afakani, Ottoni, and King-Kpokpo benefit from access to rivers and trade routes.
The Nkoroo have a history of trade, including exchanges with Europeans. Fishing, farming, and trading shape their economy. They speak both the Okrika dialect of Ijaw and the Defaka language, which is now rarely spoken.
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Etche Tribe
The Etche people are native to the upland regions of Rivers State, primarily settled in the Etche Local Government Area. They are part of the larger Igbo-speaking group and share cultural ties with the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria.
Their land is fertile, which supports farming as their main source of income, with crops like yams, cassava, and palm. Christianity is widely practiced, with local customs.
Cultural festivals, especially the New Yam Festival, are important community events. Music, dance, and colorful masquerades are a big part of Etche life.
Egeni Tribe
The Egeni are a smaller ethnic group in Rivers State, living in the Akuku-Toru area. They speak a dialect of the Ijoid language and maintain shared traditions with nearby Ijaw communities such as the Kalabari.
Their villages are along creeks and rivers, and places like Egeni Town are central to their cultural life. Most Egeni families make a living through fishing and farming.
Their history speaks of peaceful migrations and trade with nearby tribes like the Kalabari and Okrika. They are known for festivals that celebrate water spirits and honor ancestors through music, dance, and masquerades.
Ibani (Bonny) Tribe
The Ibani people, part of the larger Ijaw ethnic group, reside on Bonny Island and around the Opobo area in Rivers State, Nigeria.
In the 16th century, the Bonny Kingdom grew into a major trading center, first dealing in items like ivory and spices, and later in the transatlantic slave trade.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Bonny was one of the busiest slave trading ports in West Africa. After slavery was banned, the Ibani people changed to trading palm oil and kernels, which still play a big part in their economy today.
Their language, Ibani, is closely related to other Ijaw dialects but is now less commonly spoken due to the influence of English and Igbo. Many traditional practices have given way to Christian beliefs over time.
Kula Tribe
The Kula people are a smaller ethnic group living in the riverine areas of Akuku-Toru in Rivers State. As a subgroup of the Ijaw people, they speak the Kula dialect.
Fishing, canoe making, and farming are the main ways they earn a living. Like other Ijaw communities, the Kula celebrate colorful festivals and have ties to nature, especially water.
Ndoni Tribe
The Ndoni people live in both river and inland areas of Rivers State. They are related to the Igbo and speak a dialect of the Igboid language. Most Ndoni people are farmers and fishermen, using the land and rivers around them to survive.
They originally came from the Igbo land and have held on to many Igbo traditions over time, including festivals and marriage customs.
Christianity is widely followed, but traditional beliefs are still part of everyday life. Even with pressure from modern life, they continue to speak their language and follow their customs.
Okrika Tribe
The Okrika people are also part of the Ijaw ethnic group and live on Okrika Island in southeastern Rivers State, Nigeria.
Their land has several riverine towns such as Kirike, Ogoloma, Ogu, Bolo, Abuloma, and Koniju, which later became the tenth traditional town.
Okrika Town is the main center and is home to the Amanyanabo, the traditional king who leads both spiritually and culturally.
Their traditions are very strong, especially the Iria Festival, which has existed since the 1500s. This yearly event celebrates young girls growing into women with dance, food, and rituals.
The Okrika speak a dialect of the Ijoid language, close to Kalabari, and their economy depends on fishing, palm oil, and crafts.
Andoni (Obolo) Tribe
The Andoni people, also called Obolo, live in the eastern Niger Delta of Rivers State. They are found in riverine towns like Ngo, Ikuru, Unyeada, Asarama, Ebukuma, and Dema.
About 700,000 people speak the Obolo language, which mixes with nearby languages like Igbo, Efik, Ibibio, and Annang. They are seen as the “first son” among the Ijaw and have a sea trade and war history.
They had ties with European traders and Ijaw neighbors like Bonny and Kalabari, often going to war, especially against Bonny and Ogoni. Their culture is rich, with major festivals like Nwantam on January 1st and the Ijok-Irin fishing event.
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Engenni Tribe
The Engenni people, also called Eghene, are settled along the northern banks of the Orashi River in Ahoada West, Rivers State.
They speak Engenni, part of the Edoid language group, not related to Ijaw or Igbo. Their language has three dialects: Enuedua, Ogua, and Ejiro, based on the three clans.
They came from the old Benin Kingdom and are linked to Isoko, Urhobo, and Edo people. The Engenni people first settled in Okilogua and have lived in the Niger Delta for over 900 years.
With around 23 communities such as Enusha and Ikodi, the Engenni people depend on farming, fishing, hunting, and handcrafting things like canoes and tools for their daily survival. Their land has oil, and the Adubawa oil wells in Joinkrama, found in 1957, are the second oldest in Nigeria.
Odual Tribe
The Odual people are primarily found in Rivers State, with some communities also in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. They belong to a small ethnic group with their own language, called Odua.
Around 18,000 individuals were reported to speak it in 1989. The Odual people are part of a larger group known as the Abua.
Their ancestors are believed to have migrated from what is now Cameroon, through the Cross River area, and settled along the Orashi River. Before establishing their present-day settlement, they passed through regions such as Obolo, Bonny, and Brass.
Traditionally, the Odual survive through fishing, farming, and small trade, growing crops like cassava, yam, and plantain.
Although Christianity is now widespread, they still hold on to their traditional culture through festivals, music, dances, and masquerades.
Elele Tribe
The Elele are a small tribe in Rivers State and form part of the broader Ikwerre ethnic group in Nigeria. Their main town is Elele, near Port Harcourt, with about 20,000 people. While grouped with Ikwerre, Elele has its language and traditions.
Their past includes movements from different Niger Delta regions, and some believe they share ties with the ancient Benin Empire.
The Elele speak a unique dialect related to the Igboid language, with rich cultural traditions, including the popular New Yam Festival, which features music, dancing, and food.