A HISTORY OF EBIRA MIGRANTS IN IKIRE COMMUNITY, 1915-2015

This study reconstructs the history of Ebira migrants in the Ikire community of Osun State from 1915 to 2015. The Ebira people, primarily located in North-Central Nigeria, have a long history of internal migration driven by the mountainous geography of their homeland and their pursuit of fertile agricultural lands. The research investigates their arrival, settlement patterns, and the socio-economic and cultural impacts they have had on the host community. Using a historical approach combining oral interviews and secondary sources, the study reveals that the Ebira first arrived in Ikire as traders of traditional 'Kijipa' cloth before transitioning into robust agricultural practices. Over the century, they significantly boosted local food production, engaging in the cultivation of yams, cassava, and maize, while maintaining their identity through institutions like the Ebira Vonya Association. Despite facing challenges such as land tenure insecurity, language barriers, and recent clashes with nomadic herdsmen, the Ebira people have successfully integrated through intermarriage and peaceful conflict resolution. The study concludes that the Ebira migration is a testament to cultural adaptability and inter-ethnic harmony in Nigeria.