THE CENTRAL DELTA STATE OF NEMBE

The Nembe people are a well known tribe in the Delta region of Nigeria.  The origin of the Nembe was one not truly defined as there were so many traditions on how the once great state came to be. For this exposition we shall follow the tradition recorded by the historian E.J Alagou. According to this tradition, Nembe was founded by three men namely; Obolo, Olodia and Onyo. These three were believed to have migrated from the region of Benin, warri or around western Ijo. These men defeated indigenes of the Nembe area and took over the land. To this day these three men are locally worshiped as gods in the Nembe area. 

Not long a second migration occurred. The man Ogidiga who was of the linage of Ginuwa who founded Ode-Itesekiri led a band of war-like immigrants to the Nembe area. Ogidiga and his fellow migrants came from Benin-Warri area.

A third Migration occurred from the Benin-Warri area. This band of third immigrants established the ports of Twon and Akassa.

These influx of war-like migrants yielded fruit after a while. According to the historian E.J Alagou, the first notable ruler of Nembe Kala-Ekule, began his reign around 1450AD or 1500AD. This led to the birth of the Kala-Ekule dynasty, the dynasty lasted for several years until the death of Basau the last king of the Kala-Ekule dynasty. The death of Basau resulted in a long bloody civil war in Nembe. His sons went to war against each other for the right to the throne. The two sons Mingi and Ogbodo fought on for a time but none came out victorious and they had to contend themselves with carved out kingdoms. 

Mingi became the king of the state of Nembe Bassambiri while the brother ruled over a second portion Ogolommabiri. Both Kings headed a very powerful house. Traditions holds it that the King of Bassambiri was a stout very tall man and could be said to be a giant. He was believed to be strong enough to lift and throw a full grown man with one hand. He stammered in speech and had a repulsive appearance, he also suffered from quick temper and was cruel to his people.

Ogbodo on the other hand was the opposite of his brother. He loved peace. Ogbodo fought his brother for a good part of his reign for the sake of peace and prosperity for his people. Many who found a means fled the oppressive rule of Mingi and joined up with Ogbodo’s Ogolombiri. Though these migrations continued for a time, the weaker nature of Ogbodo meant he was unable to effectively establish a strong dynasty for his successors. It is worthy to note that Ogbodo was the senior among the two brothes.

King Mingi died around 1770 and was succeeded by his son Ikata. Unlike his father, Ikata was a wise warrior who showed mercy in war. War captives were treated well under his rule. He also introduced war canoes into Nembe. This allowed for quicker movement of his troops.

One of the most famous wars he partook in was the Bile war. Around 1780AD, king Ikata sent some traders to contact the European merchants located across the Kalabari area. The traders went through the bonny and Kalabari areas in search of these European merchants. The successful traders on their way back were greeted by the King of Amakiri of Elem Kalabari. The King who had a deep respect for King Ikata gave these traders gifts of Ivory for their King. The traders continued their journey homeward but as they crossed the region of Bile they were raided by the Bile inhabitants. Many of the traders were killed and few managed to reach Nembe. At first King Ikata took the news as an event of fate and refused to go to war against the Bile state. His sister ridiculed him for not avenging the ill suffered by his traders.  Though he chose a path of peace, however wanting to prove to his sister the decision to avoid war was to prevent more bloodshed rather than fear, he assembled his war canoes. His warriors went after the army of Bile which they utterly destroyed proving his initial silence meant peace and not weakness. Ikata strengthened the Kingdom of Nembe, this led other states to jostle for her alliance especially the king of Amakiri