Bahumono

The Bahumono (Ehumono, Kohumono) people are an ethnic group in Nigeria located primarily in the Abi local government area of Cross River State and are the largest ethnic group in the region.

Bahumono
Bahumono traditional dancer
Total population
58,000 (1989, est)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Abi, Cross River
 Nigeria58,000[1]
Languages
Kohumono
Religion
Christianity, Traditional African religions
Related ethnic groups
Yakurr, Efik, Igbo, Ekoi people, Biase and Anang

They speak the Kohumono language.[2]

History
Further information: Abi, Cross River

The Ehumono live along the Cross River and are known to have migrated from Hotumusa around the region of a rock called Ekpon a Ruhura, which they claim to be their spiritual and ancestral home. The tribe consists of eight villages, namely Ebijakara (Ebriba), Ebom, Ediba, Usumutong, Anong, Igonigoni, Afafanyi, and Abeugo.They are closely related to the Igbo, Efik, Yakurr, Akunakuna, Ekoi people and Annang people. The Bahumono people during the pre colonial period were adamant to accept the laws of the Europeans and British administration. They and other upper Cross River tribes foiled the Cross River expedition of 1895,1896 and 1898 leading to the massacre of several British personnel. [3][4][5]

Culture and tradition

The Bahumono Culture and tradition shares similarities with the neighboring communities. Individuals trace their origin and ancestry through the Eshi which means womb,people from the same eshi are considered as brothers/sisters and can trace their origin to the same father and mother similar to the Ananng people. Apart from the Eshi,villages are further divided into Rovone. The practice of the Ekpe secret society and fattening room is widely observed while few people practice the Bahumono traditional religion.

Festivals

Major Bahumono festivals include;

  • Rathobai
  • Afu wrestling festival
  • Masquerade parade
  • Oboko
  • the annual Bahumono festival[6]
  • the traditional boat racing challenge
  • Obam

Cuisine

The Bahumono traditional food is similar to the Efik,Igbo and other Cross River communities.Major dishes include

See also

References
  1. Joshua Project - Kohumono,Bahumono in Nigeria
  2. Ekpo, Samuel Etan. (1993). Unwe a Khohumono. [S.E. Ekpo]. ISBN 978-2210-00-5. OCLC 606194101.
  3. "British massacred in Africa;Cross River expedition defeated by the Ediba tribes". The New York times. 2 February 1898. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  4. "British fight in West Africa.; Capt. Fenton killed in an engagement against the Ediba tribes". The New York times. 5 February 1898. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  5. "Cross River Natives". African Affairs. 4 (XV): 383–385. April 1905. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.afraf.a093919. ISSN 1468-2621.
  6. Bright, Collins (2019). "Anong Bahumono Festival Cross River State". Nigeria galleria.
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