THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF ESANLAND

ABSTRACT

The preludes to this chapter shows evidence that the Esan people who are an ethnic groupin Nigeria and among the Edo- speaking people of south- western Nigeria have toanextent a rich cultural heritage and historical background worth looking into. TheEsanpeople are a cohesive unit with common language (Esan), cultural practices, noteworthypolitical and social structure, they can be considered a cohesive group in this sensethat they have a shared cultural identity and language. The Esan ethnic group is made upofdifferent villages and communities, such as Uromi, Ubiaja, Ekpoma, Igueben, Ewohimi, Irrua amongst others. These villages have unique political and social settings pertainingto one another, and this research work has been able to fully bring to the fore knowledgethe political and social organization and setting of the Esanland using the Irrua Kingdomas a case study.