Kabba is a very special location in Kogi State. This is because, geographically, it lies at the intersection of roads from Lokoja, Okene, Ogidi, Ado-Ekiti, and Egbe, near the Osse River. Kabba Tribe is a major enthic group in Kogi State, Nigeria. It is surrounded by mountains and a beautiful environment. Kabba is one of the Yoruba-speaking tribes in Kogi State; located in Okun. The people, as well as the dialect they speak is referred to as Owe.
Trado-political structure and the Economy of the Kabba People
The people of Kabba Kingdom operate a tripodal ruling system namely; The Obaro, The Obadofin, and The Obajemu ruling systems, produced by the Ilajo ruling house, Odolu, and Otu respectively.. The Obaro is the head of the Okun traditional council. Therefore, the other two heads are chosen by The Obaro. The people of the Kabba Kingdom have remained on the ruling structure of Obaro Odide; thereby making the title of the traditional ruler of the Kabba people (Kabba king)- ‘Obaro’.
Kabba is the headquarters of the Kabba/Bunnu local government area of Kogi state. Economically, the Kabba people thrive on farming. Some of the predominant crops and produces cultivated and traded there includes the following: coffee, cocoa, yams, cassava, maize, sorghum, shea nuts, peanuts (groundnuts), beans, cotton, and woven cloth produced by the Yoruba. These products are sold or traded with the Yorubas, the Ebira, and other peoples of the surrounding area, who serve as their major trade partners.
A Few Other Facts about the Kabba People
Here are some few other facts about the Kabba people:
- Kabba is often also referred to as “Kabba Oloke meta”, which means ‘Kabba with three mountains’. It has three major communities that make up its tribe. The names of these communities are as follows; Odolu, Katu, and Kabba.
- Kabba Kingdom comprises a total of fourteen clans. Odolu has five; Katu has three; and Kabba has six clans under it. These three communities have clans under them.
- There are three main traditional titles in the Kabba Kingdom. They are, Igemo, Orota and Ololu.
- Kabba people have very peculiar meals. Most of them are prepared with beans. One of the very well preferred delicacy is referred to as ‘ajiere’, which is basically prepared by boiling beans, sieving it dry and then frying in palm oil. Another is the akara papa, which is prepared by grinding guinea corn to form a paste, moulding it in between the palms to form shapes and then fried in palm oil. A third one is popolo, which is basically beans cake fried in palm kernel oil.
- The Kabba territory is well populated with so many secondary schools as well as religious institutions. The people have also been greatly influenced by Christianity. A prove of this has been the numerous Christian priests, that have made a name both in Nigeria and globally, that are of Kabba descent or offshoots of the ancient Sacred Heart Catholic church in the Kabba province.
References