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Culture

Esan people are ardent farmers. They also engage in other productive activities such as regional trading with their neighbors. In the arts/music arena, the Esans have various cultural dances ranging from Agbenojie, Uleke, and Ikhinabojie, Asonogun or Abayon, etc. Most notable is the highly popular acrobatic dance and display called "Igbabonehlimin."

They are also gender sensitive and this reflects in every aspect of the culture. For instances, the dress code for the men (Igene) is the traditional "Ubunuku", while for title holders like Chiefs (Okhaemon), they dress in traditional "Ukponesan" with coral beads (ivie). On the other hand the women are known for their unique hair do "Eto-Okuku" adorned with coral beads as well. Their political structure is monarchical and the principle of primogeniture takes precedence. The first son of the traditional Monarch named the "Onojie" usually inherits the rulership of the village/town after the demise of his father. This historical value is applicable to all independent homesteads. As it relates to religion, Esan's idea of a supreme being is monotheistic, "Osanobua" "God". However, some Esans also acknowledge the existence of lesser gods or deities.

Esan Local Government Areas / Edo State, Nigeria:

  1. ESAN-CENTRAL

    2. Headquaters:
    Irrua
    Official Address:
    Esan Central Local Government Secretariat, P. M. B. 04, Irrua.
    Telephone:
    08033547226, 08058815770.
    Major Year of Creation:
    1991
    Towns and Villages:
    Irrua, Ewu, Adenu, Ugbalo, Ibore, Unogbo, Opoji, Idumoza, Ugbegun, Imokano, Afuogbo,Okharomi, Equare, Atuagbo Ujabhole, Ibhiolulu, Udomi, Afuda, Idumoza, Ohe, Idumoghodor, Ehenwen, Idoa, Uzokholo, Ehanlen, Eko, Ekori, Eko, Iduwele, Ugbokhare, Ekilor to name a few.
    Economic Mainstays:
    Commerce, Cottage industry, Agriculture, Funiture Making, Wood processing
    Tourist Centers/Attractions:
    Lake Obiemen, Obiemen Shrine, Ogirrua's Palace and Ugbalo spring
    Natural Resources:
    Kaolin, Clay and Timber
    Major Agricultural Products:
    Yam, Tomatoes, Rice Pineapple, Kolanuts, Rubber, Oil palm. Cassava and Oranges
    Health Facilities:
    The Irrua Specialist Hospital, (Otibhor Okhae Hospital, Irrua, Edo State the School of Nursing and Midwifery, public primary health centers, public and private hospitals such as the Zuma Memorial Hospital. clinics and maternity homes.
    . clinics and maternity homes.
    Educational Facilities:
    Famous secondary schools such as Annuociation Catholic College in Irrua, Igueben College, Ewu Grammar School, Uneah Sec School as well as Adult Education Centers which were set up to provide education for adults without formal education.

  2. ESAN-West

    3. Headquaters:
    Ekpoma
    Official Address:
    Esan West Local Government Secretariat P.M.B 03, Ekpoma.
    Telephone:
    055-98741, 98383, 98384, 98470, 98488
    Major Year of Creation:
    1991
    Towns and Villages:
    Ekpoma, Iruekpen, Ujemen, Idemebo, Ihumudumu, Uhiele, Emuhi, Uke, Ekhiro, Ukpenu, Ujoelen Eguare,Emaudo,Egoro Amede,Egoro Naoka, Ebhakuala,Ukhun,Idoa,Urohi, Akahio, Illeh, Ujogba.
    Economic Mainstays:
    Commerce, Cottage industries, Farming Wood processing, Furniture making.
    Tourist Centers/Attractions:
    Commemorative statue of Professor Ambrose Alli, Ibiekuma River and Onojie Palacesg
    Natural Resources:
    Limestone and Timber
    Major Agricultural Products:
    Cocoa, Oil palm, Rubber, Kolanuts, Cassava, Cocoyam Pineapple, Rice and Citrus fruits.
    Health Facilities:
    The Professor Ambrose Alli University Teaching Hospital is at Ekpoma, along with various public health centers, private and public hospitals, clinics and maternity homes.
    . clinics and maternity homes.
    Educational Facilities:
    In addition to the Prof. Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, there are forty eight(48) primary schools and twelve(12) Ekpoma, Christ Fondation Nursery and Primary School; secondary schools including Mousco International School; Christ the King Nursery & Primary School, Christ Adam College, Cosmopiltan Church Primary School, Ujoelen Grammar School Ujoelen, Ekpoma.

  3. ESAN-NORTH-EAST

    4. Headquaters:
    Uromi
    Official Address:
    Esan North East Local Government Secretariat P.M.B 013, Uromi.
    Telephone:
    055-98741, 98383, 98384, 98470, 98488
    Major Year of Creation:
    1991
    Towns and Villages:
    Uromi, Egbele, Unuwazi, Utako, Onewa, Awo, Uzea, Eror, Idumoza, Arue, Ubieru-Oke, Ebue, Ewoyi, Odigule, Eguare, Oyomo, Eko-Ibadin, Efandion, Atani, Alor-Oke, Amedokhia, Ukoni, Ewoki, Ebu.
    Economic Mainstays:
    Commrece, Cottage industry, Agriculture, Funiture making, Wood processing
    Tourist Centers/Attractions:
    The Onojie Palaces.
    Natural Resources:
    Rubber, Kaolin and Timber
    Major Agricultural Products:
    Cassava, Rice, Yam, Maize, Tomatoes, Okro, Melon Cocoyam Rubber
    Health Facilities:
    The General Hospital, Uromi. clinics and maternity homes.
    .
    Educational Facilities:
    There are fifteen(15) secondary schools and thirty five(35 private primary schools. Among these schools are the Our Ladies of Lourdes Girls College, Onewa Technical College

  4. ESAN-SOUTH-EAST

    5. Headquaters:
    Ubiaja
    Official Address:
    Esan South east Local Government Secretariat P.M.B 002, Ubiaja
    Telephone:
    055-91250
    Major Year of Creation:
    1991
    Towns and Villages:
    Ubiaja,Ewwatto, Emu, Ewohimi, Orowa, Inyelen, Illushi, Oria, Ogboha, Ifeku, Uroh, Onogholo, Amalu, Udokpa, etc.
    Economic Mainstays:
    Agriculture, Cottage industry, Fishing, Trading, Wood processing, poultry, pottery
    Tourist Centers/Attractions:
    The Onojie Palaces.
    Natural Resources:
    Clay, Kaolin, Sandstone, Laterite, Timber
    Major Agricultural Products:
    Cassava, Rice, Yam, Maize, Melon, Fish, Okro, Rubber, Cocoyam
    Health Facilities:
    The General Hospital, Ubiaja.
    .
    Educational Facilities:
    There are ten (10) public secondary schools and forty public primary schools.

  5. Igueben

    6. Headquaters:
    Igueben
    Official Address:
    Egueben Local Government Secretariat, Igueben.
    Telephone:
    .
    Major Year of Creation:
    1991
    Towns and Villages:
    Igueben, Ebelle, Okalo, Ewossa, Ekpon, Amahor, Idomogo, Obierumu, Egbessan, Ugun and Udo to name a few.
    Economic Mainstays:
    Commerce, Agriculture, Fishing and poultry
    Tourist Centers/Attractions:
    The Okomu-udo National Game Reserve, and Amahor waterfalls
    Natural Resources:
    Kaolin, Clay and Timber, laterite, rubber and sandstone
    Major Agricultural Products:
    Yam, Rice, Okro, Rubber, cocoyam, Cassava and Oranges
    Health Facilities:
    The General Hospital, Igueben.
    . clinics and maternity homes.
    Educational Facilities:
    Igueben College and Igueben Grammar School.
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