CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Satire in the Oral Poetry of my Community (Igbanke) 

This project work is written on the account of research carried out on the topic: 

However, before I go further to give the detail result of my research, as regards, the manifestation of Satire in oral poetry of Igbanke, I shall first of all give a detail background of Igbanke community.

1.1DETAILED BACKGROUND OF IGBANKE COMMUNITY 

The Origin of Igbanke 

Igbanke is said to have originated from different towns and villages which include: Benin, Ishan, Agbor, among others. 

Components: Igbanke community comprises seven different villages which are:

Ake 

Igbontor

Idumuodin 

Omuolua 

Obiogba 

Oligie 

Ottah

1.2GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF IGBANKE 

Igbanke is located in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. To the Eastward, Igbanke is bounded by Mbiri village in Delta state, to the West, it is bounded by Alishimien village also in Delta State; while to the North, it is bounded by Ekpon village in Edo state and finally to the South, bounded by Agbor town in Delta State.

1.3SIZE AND POPULATION 

Igbanke community covers the geographical landmass of about 2,382 kilometre square (2382km2) and has the population of about 182,717 as at the last census (2006)

1.4LANGUAGE SPOKEN 

Igbanke community speaks “Ika”. Ika is a language spoken by some parts of Delta e.g. Agbor and Igbanke in Edo state. Such towns and villages in Delta state and Igbanke in Edo State which speak Ika were formally known by the name “Bendel Ibo” until they were split into Delta and Edo state, which is why we now have speakers of “Ika” in Delta state and also in Edo state. 

Description: 

Ika is Igbo-like language with a blend of few other languages such as: Benin, Yoruba, Oredo, among others.

1.5RULERSHIP STRUCTURE

Igbanke community is ruled by rulers with such titles as: Obi, Eze and Enogie depending on the village. That is at the kingship level. 

At the family level, Okiolor (meaning the ruler of the house), presides over the family and it is the oldest male member of the family that does this.

Again, in a particular quarter of the village, the oldest man in that area who is given the title “OGELE”., rules over the quarter; while the Obi, Eze and Enogie rule over the various component villages. 

1.6SUPREMACY OF AUTHORITY 

Igbanke community is subjected to the authority of the Oba of Benin. Hence the Obi, Eze and Enogie all pay homage to the Oba of Benin as the Supreme ruler. 

1.7TRADITION 

Nwobu festival (New yam festival): This is the festival that is celebrated by the entire Igbanke community to mark the beginning of new yam harvest and to appease the god of harvest called “Nwobu” 

1.8RELIGION 

Christianity and Traditionalism 

The majority of Igbanke men and women are Christians while others are traditionalists.

1.9GREETING (VARIETIES) 

The people of Igbanke have different ways of greeting according to the different villages. They are: 

Alua-Welcome / well done 

Laweze-Good morning 

Elie-Good morning 

Asisio-Good evening 

Ndor’O-Thanks or well done 

Yemeke-Thank you very much 

Yarunka-You have done well 

1.10TYPE OF MUSIC PLAYED 

Agbara Music: This is a special form of traditional highlife music which involves the use of certain instruments like: gong, Maracres, rattles, Carved elephant tusk etc. 

Members often wear beads and tie rappers. The instrumentalists often dress like title holders, thus wearing caps adorned with feathers.

1.11HOSPITALITY 

The people of Igbanke community are very hospitable, loving and happy people.