26/08/2026
Absolutely. The Esan (also called Ishan) are one of the major ethnic groups of Edo State, Nigeria, with a rich history, distinct language, traditions, kingdoms, and strong connections to the wider Edo peoples.
Who are the Esan?
The Esan are an Edo-speaking people primarily found in central Edo State, roughly between Benin City and the northern part of the state.
Their homeland is commonly called Esanland or Ishanland. It includes areas such as:
* Ekpoma
* Irrua
* Uromi
* Ubiaja
* Ewu
* Igueben
* Irrua
* Opoji
* Emuado
* Ugbegun
* Ujiogba
* Okaigben
* Ewohimi
Esanland contains numerous towns and villages, each with its own history and traditional institutions.
1. Where did the Esan come from?
The origins of the Esan people are connected to the broader history of the Edo peoples and the ancient Benin Kingdom, although Esan history is more complicated than simply saying that all Esan people “came from Benin.”
According to oral traditions, different Esan communities developed through several migrations and settlements.
Some groups trace their ancestry to people who migrated from Benin, while others have traditions of migration from other neighbouring areas or of being indigenous to their particular territories.
One important historical relationship is between Benin and Esanland. During the expansion of the Benin Kingdom, many communities in present-day Esanland came under Benin’s political influence.
This helped create strong historical, linguistic and cultural connections between the two peoples.
2. Esan is not one single kingdom
This is one of the most important things to understand about Esan history.
Unlike the Benin Kingdom, which historically had one central monarch—the Oba of Benin—the Esan people traditionally consisted of many autonomous communities and kingdoms.
Examples include:
* Onojie of Uromi
* Onojie of Ekpoma
* Onojie of Irrua
* Onojie of Ewu
* Onojie of Ubiaja
* Onojie of Igueben
* Onojie of Emuado
The traditional ruler is generally called an Onojie.
Therefore, it is more accurate to speak of the Esan kingdoms/communities rather than an ancient “Esan Kingdom” ruled by one king.
3. The Onojie
The Onojie is the traditional ruler of an Esan community.
The institution is hereditary in many communities and has historically been responsible for matters such as:
* Traditional governance
* Land and community affairs
* Conflict resolution
* Cultural ceremonies
* Preservation of customs
* Relations with other communities
Today, the Onojie remains an important cultural institution, although traditional rulers operate within Nigeria’s modern constitutional and governmental system.
4. The Esan language
The Esan language is called Esan and belongs to the Edoid language group within the Niger-Congo family.
It is closely related to other Edoid languages, including Bini/Edo, spoken around Benin City.
There are also differences in pronunciation and vocabulary between different parts of Esanland.
For example, you may hear people identify themselves according to their particular town or area, such as:
“I am Esan, from Uromi.”
or
“I am Esan, from Ekpoma.”
Local identity is very important.
5. Esan names
Esan names often carry meanings connected with:
* God
* Family circumstances
* Birth
* History
* Hope
* Character
* Royal or ancestral traditions
Many Esan names are also recognisably related to names found among other Edo peoples because of their shared linguistic and cultural history.
6. Esan society and family
Traditionally, Esan society placed considerable importance on family, lineage and community.
Extended families were important social units. Elders had significant authority, and communities maintained systems for resolving disputes and organising collective activities.
Marriage traditionally involved not just the couple but their families.
Respect for parents and elders remains an important value in many Esan communities.
7. Farming and traditional economy
Historically, Esanland was predominantly agricultural.
Important crops included:
* Yam
* Cassava
* Plantain
* Maize
* Cocoyam
* Palm produce
* Vegetables
Yam has traditionally been particularly important economically and culturally.
Farming also influenced the seasonal calendar, festivals and community life.
Today, Esan people are involved in virtually every part of Nigeria’s economy, including education, medicine, law, business, politics, engineering, civil service and the professions.
8. Esan culture and festivals
Esan communities have numerous traditional festivals and ceremonies.
Some celebrate:
* New yam
* Ancestors
* Community history
* Traditional rulers
* Marriage
* Age grades
* Agricultural cycles
One particularly important cultural institution is the age-grade system.
People of similar age may belong to an age group that has social responsibilities within the community. Traditionally, age grades could participate in activities such as community development, maintaining roads and paths, security and other communal work.
9. Esan traditional religion
Before Christianity and Islam became widespread, Esan communities practised indigenous religious traditions involving belief in a supreme creator and various spiritual forces and ancestors.
Ancestor veneration was important in many communities.
Traditional religious practices varied considerably from one community to another.
Today, Christianity is widespread among the Esan, while elements of traditional culture continue to coexist with Christian and modern practices.
10. Esan and the Benin Kingdom
The relationship between the Esan and the Benin Kingdom is a fascinating part of the history.
Benin exerted political influence over parts of Esanland, particularly during periods when the Benin Kingdom was expanding.
However, Esan communities retained their own local rulers, institutions and identities.
So it would be inaccurate to describe the Esan simply as “Bini people.” They are a distinct Edo-speaking people with their own language, history and identity, while sharing significant historical connections with the Benin/Bini people.
11. Uromi and Okojie
Uromi is one of the best-known Esan communities.
Its traditional ruler is the Onojie of Uromi.
Uromi has a particularly prominent place in modern Esan history because of its political, educational and commercial importance.
It is also associated with important historical traditions concerning the relationship between Esan communities and Benin.
12. Ekpoma
Ekpoma is another major Esan town.
It is particularly well known today because it is home to Ambrose Alli University, making it an important educational centre in Edo State.
Ekpoma is also the traditional centre of the Ekpoma kingdom.
13. Important Esan people
Esan people have made major contributions to Nigerian society.
One particularly notable figure is Ambrose Alli, who served as governor of the former Bendel State from 1979 to 1983. Ambrose Alli University was named after him.
Other prominent Esan people have contributed to Nigerian politics, medicine, academia, business, law, the military, entertainment and other fields.
14. Esan identity today
Today, being Esan can involve several overlapping identities:
Esan → Edo State → Nigeria
A person may identify strongly with their particular village or kingdom, with Esanland as a whole, with Edo State, and with Nigeria at the same time.
The Esan diaspora is also significant, with Esan people living throughout Nigeria and in countries around the world.
In simple terms
The Esan are an Edo-speaking people of central Edo State with a long history connected to the ancient Benin world but with their own distinct identity and traditions.
Their traditional political system consisted of numerous communities ruled by Onojies, rather than one central Esan king. Their culture is strongly associated with farming, extended family networks, age grades, traditional institutions, festivals and a deep sense of community.
Esanland is therefore an important part of the history of Edo State and of pre-colonial southern Nigeria.
