NAIJACLIFF:HOME OF EDUTAINMENT

 The Obolo language is spoken by over 500,000 people living in a riverine area of about 630sq.km on the south South coast of Nigeria. Obolo is a Benue Congo Language of the Lower Cross subgroup of the Cross River group of languages. There are six major dialect groups in the language, namely: (from west to east): Ataba, Unyeada, Ngo, Okoroete, Iko and Ibot Obolo. Ataba dialect is spoken in all the towns and villages of Ataba while Unyeaba dialect is spoken in all Unyeada and Asarama towns and villages, and in Egendem. Ngo dialect is spoken in all the towns and villages on the Island ( I.e Uyangala, Egwede, Agana, Agwot-Obolo, etc. except Okoroboile) and the adjacent islands from Oronja through Akaradi to Ebukuma. Okoroete dialect is spoken in Okoroboile. Okoroinyong, Ibot Ama Jaaba (except Okorobilom), Obianga, Emeroke, Amadaka Okoroete, Okoromkho and Okoroiti. Iko dialect is spoken in Iko, Atabrikang I, and Ikonta, while Ibot Obolo dialect is spoken in Ibot Obolo. Ntafi

Obolo dominated the entire system of water-ways between the Bonny River and Qua Iboe River. They used age-old fishing devices like: Edek, Otunwa, Oket, Njin, Igba, Ukog, etc. To ensure that the fish caught in the traps did not disappear mysteriously, the obolo fisherman tied mgbek leaves and faggots to his traps as well as planted an Ogboloatasuk nearby. The leaves and faggots were believed to have the power of warding off evil spir its which, they saw fish like humans, while the ogboloatasuk was intended to scare away human beings and thus suggests that it was more than a scare crow. Types of fish caught by this methods includes: 1. Afari 2. Ikop 3. Ona 4. Obu 5. Ejeke 6. Inan 7. Ofuruma 8. Adot Women seem to have operated from their home villages rather than making a long distance expeditions made by their menfolk. Women went for: efie, nlori, mgbut, urion, ntutut, etc.

Wrapper has been the major clothing article of the Obolo people for both males and females. There are certain style of cloth tying in the community. The cloth called Mkpopu (George) was used for male elders, who were ‘free born’. This clothe was tied with the style known as utong-ikwi (it is tied to the right hand side by free born while slaves tie to the left side of the waist), mainly for identification purpose. -MALE'S DRESS CULTURE IN THE TRADITIONAL ANCIENT OBOLO SOCIETY Clothing article in pre-colonial Obolo, was Ekut-ikpo (towellike clothe), Alo (foreign wax), was later added then the elder’s clothe called Mkpopu (George). All these clothes were tied with the shirt called Afont jijini or Afroko. In Obolo communities, they were neither trousers nor pant. In the place of pant, the traditional Obolo people especially the elders, do what is called I

Obolos were known for crafting unique weaponry during the pre colonial era which were then used for various activities like war, fishing, traditional ceremonies and some even for prestige. Most notable weapons were the broad-bladded spears, arrows, metallic head as well as the bow. The blackmiths made arrows, spear and other weapons from iron mined and smelted. In 1471, the quest for glory and profit brought Port uguese navigators to the Niger Delta and established contact with the local people. However, it was 10 years later that the first royal emissary visited the court of the Oba of Benin. The relationship between both sides was cordial with early reports of the Portuguese being allowed to speak in the Oba’s court. The relationship was formed over mutually beneficial trade, exchanges which saw the Oba offer peppers, ivory and slaves in exchange for coral beads, textiles, mirror and other products from a more developed European markets. During this period of slave

The provision of shelter is an important aspect of life no man can do without. The major comfort of man here on earth is enhanced by the construction of a residential home where man derives his convenience. To achieve this, buildings must be well designed and efficiently constructed to exclude not only the adverse environmental factors such as weather, noise and heat but s hould provide adequate light and ventilation. The construction of fantastic structures is a major attribute of man that distinguishes him from the beast. Over the years, Obolo man has developed some materials like thatches, sticks, etc. for the construction of house. The application of thatches in construction of shelter does not require much energy to manufacture it unlike brick cement, steel, concrete, etc. Thatch house building is simple and can be easily recycled. The house being constructed on island pro

Canoe is a very crucial means of transportation in Obolo history. The canoe in Obolo was the equivalent of horse in the North among the Hausas and Fulanis. It enable them to move from village to village. Obolos are canoe-users, their canoe varied in size. The larger canoe were sometimes converted into house-boats ( Uji Ofo or Uji Agalaga), in which the owner might live for months on long distance fishing or trading expedition s. The canoe was also used as a means of transportation, it was responsible for the transfer of persons or goods from one location or village to another. Perhaps, the most important use of the canoe was in fishing (Uji Mbom).In so far as all fishing technique involved off-shore operations, however, all were equally dependent on the canoe. The canoe was also used for cultural festival ( Oke, Ofiokpo, Ikini, etc), and inter-village competition. Finally, the canoe was vital to Obolo warfare ( Uji Akon ), which was largely conducted in t