Esan language

Ceremonial activities abound in traditional African societies whose functions are still very much germane to contemporary milieus in Nigeria and elsewhere. These ceremonies are often accompanied with much music and dance and, of course, music and dance constitute an integral part of masquerade performance. Several studies have been done on Igbabonelimhin as a masquerade performance, especially in relation to its potentiality for geriatric and entertainment purposes. This present effort examines the extra-theatrical functions of Igbabonelimhin with a view to X-raying its ritualistic and cleansing propensities and the need to incorporate these offerings into the social fabric of contemporary Esan society, the whole essence being the promotion of a more harmonious and progress-minded society.

The Esan people (Esan: Ẹ̀bhò Ẹ̀sán) or Ishan people are an ethnic group in Edo state in the South-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria. They speak the Esan language which is more modernly called Ishan language by British Colonial translators. The Esan are traditionally agriculturalists, trado-medical practitioners, mercenary warriors and hunters. They cultivate palm trees, Irvingia gabonensis (Ogbono, erhonhiele), Cherry (Otien), bell pepper (akoh) coconut, betel nut, kola nut, black pear, avocado pear, yams, cocoyam, cassava, maize, rice, beans, groundnut, bananas, oranges, plantains, sugar cane, tomato, potato, okra, pineapple, paw paw, and various vegetables. They are very rich in Culture and Traditions. Arguably one of the most diversed Ethnicity in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Esan people are illustrious and hold the elements of their ethnicity as sacred.