Waja

Ohioma Ifounu Pogoson
Institute of African Studies
University of Ibadan
Ibadan.

Abstract
The history of Northern Edo land, Nigeria has been subsumed in the history of
Benin kingdom and indeed, due to oversimplification, northern Edo history has
been reduced to the history of Benin. Presently, the only available means to salvage
the history of Northern Edo land remains the art objects collected by Northcote
Thomas from Edo land, between 1908 and 1914. The collection is now domiciled at
the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) of the University of
Cambridge, unutilized. The paper therefore undertook a comparative iconographic
study of selected objects from the Thomas’ collection with Benin art, in an attempt
to make some more specific and perhaps categorical statements about a possible
Benin-Northern Edo artistic relationship. Some of the works analysed from the
collection include kola nut bowls from Otuo, Uzebba decorated kola nut bowls,
Agbede bowls, and Okpe decorated ladle out of others. Evidently these artworks are
prestigious objects, yet the Edo north community is devoid of such powerful central
administrative system that could be in demand of such objects. This raises questions
about the peopling of the region. From the available evidential materials, under
consideration, it was then postulated that there could have been the possibility of
north-south movement and a later south-north movement in that region, which has
caused a thinning-out of the culture that produced the Thomas’ collection. The
paper concluded that the makers of the selected objects from the Thomas’ collection
might be different from the present day inhabitants of the region.

Revd Fr. Paul-Kolade Tubi, Ph.D*
E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract
Political power and religion bear directly on the lives of people of all communities.
This is particularly so of traditional societies. As globalization and westernization
rapidly set in upon the cultures of the world, it is imperative that ethnographers do
rigorous study before those cultures are completely altered. Globalization amends,
suppresses or erodes traditional practices, lores and mores. As a result of the
onslaught of westernization and globalization on traditional societies, it is
imperative that ethnographic methodologies are employed to study and document
aspects of traditional societies like the Okun-Yoruba that have come under the
influence of globalization.
This ethnographic study highlights the strong nexus between religion and
political power in indigenous societies like the Okun people who are confronted
with westernizing influence in their attempt to weld a coherent and functional
society within an authentic African culture.

Joseph Mangut PhD,
Department of Archaeology
and Heritage Studies,
University of Jos,
Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

Abstract
The peopling of the Jos Plateau has generated a lot of controversy. Historical
studies of the area have tended to emphasise recent origins and migrations of the
various groups to the plateau which over time led to mutual suspicion and
hostilities among them as a result of scarce resources. This paper reviews some of
these claims and investigates some of the early populations and occupation sites
with a view to shedding light on the nature of origins, migrations and urbanisation
problems in the area. It suggests that the Jos Plateau has a long settlement antiquity
and that migrations to the area have been in several waves right into the colonial
era resulting into the fusion of a number of ethnic groups belonging to both the
Chadic and the Benue-Congo speakers in an attempt to bring about urbanisation. It
therefore concludes that the integration of the various groups in the area is the best
option for a lasting peace and development which are very critical in urbanisation.
Key Words: Migrations, Urbanisation, Jos Plateau, Ronkulere, Chadic, Benue-
Congo.

Benedicta N. Mangut
Department of Archaeology,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]

Abstract

Oral traditions of the Borgu claim that they originated from the Middle East under
the leadership of Kisra, passing through several places before finally settling in
their present-day place. Using the historical archaeology approach this study
investigates the history of origin and migrations as well as language relationships
of the Borgu of Niger State. Preliminary findings however suggest that the eastern
origin claims could have been later creations as most of their historical traditions
seem to indicate a relationship with the other Mande language speakers around
them. This work therefore attempts to highlight the early history and traditions of
the people and suggests that a multidisciplinary approach involving linguistics,
geology and related disciplines is required if we are to understand the history of
origin, historical traditions and the nature of the peopling of the Borgu area as a
whole.
Key words: Borgu, Bussa, Historical archaeology, Kisra and Mande.