Bahumono
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The Bahumono (Ehumono, Kohumono) are a southeastern Nigerian ethnic group that primarily resides in the Abi local government area of
Cross River State Cross River State is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Named for the Cross River, the state was formed from the eastern part of the Eastern Region on 27 May 1967. The state has its capital as Calabar and is bordered to ...
. They are the largest ethnic group in the region. They speak the Kohumono language.


History

The Bahumono live along the Cross River, but according to Bahumono tradition and folklore, the group migrated from Hotumusa. Hotumusa, is the land where the rock Ekpon รก Rara is located. And it is that land, the Bahumono consider their spiritual and ancestral homeland. During the colonial era, the Bahumono opposed the laws of the British Empire. The Bahumono, alongside other upper Cross River tribes, foiled the Cross River expeditions of 1895, 1896 and 1898. These particular efforts resulted in the deaths of several British personnel. The Bahumono were once part of the Aro Confederacy although, as of now, the tribe consists of eight villages: Ebijakara (Ebriba), Ebom, Ediba, Usumutong, Anong, Igonigoni, Afafanyi, and Abeugo. They are closely related to the
Efik The Efik are an ethnic group located primarily in southern Nigeria, and western Cameroon. Within Nigeria, the Efik can be found in the present-day Cross River State and Akwa Ibom state. The Efik speak the Efik language which is a member of the ...
, Waawa, Yakurr, Akunakuna,
Ekoi people Ekoi people, also known as Ejagham, are an ethnic group in south east Nigeria and extending eastward into the southwest region of Cameroon. They speak the Ejagham language. Other Ekoi languages are spoken by related groups, including the Etung pe ...
, and Annang people.


Culture and tradition

The Bahumono culture and tradition shares similarities with neighboring communities . Individuals trace their origin and ancestry through the Eshi which literally means womb or navel, people from the same eshi are considered as brothers and sisters and will 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 religion .


Festivals

Major Bahumono festivals include; * Rathobai * Afu wrestling festival * Masquerade parade * Oboko * The annual Humono festival * 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 *
Fufu Fufu (or fufuo, foofoo, foufou ) is a pounded meal found in West African cuisine. It is a Twi word that originates from the Akans in Ghana. The word has been expanded to include several variations of the pounded meal found in other African c ...
* Okho(Oha) soup * Edikang Ikong * Ehkpan


See also

* Usumutong * Ebijakara * Ediba


References

{{reflist Society of Nigeria Ethnic_groups_in_Nigeria