Ijo

The Ijo, or Ijaw, are implanted next to the Niger delta, in a forest area, traditionally dedicated to the production of palm oil. This facilitated contact with Europeans who supplied captured slaves between the Igbo. By living many of them in wetland areas their houses are built on palafitos. They are engaged in agriculture and fishing. Oil has recently been found in their territories. Another major group settled on the coast and is also engaged in salt production agriculture. Its social structure is based on autonomous groups chaired by a Council of Elders and its chief, the oldest, must belong to the dominant lineage. The chief, as heir to the ancestor founder, is the chief priest. They are mostly animistic, their main divinity is Amatemesuo and especially worship the spirits of water, offering them their prayers for their protection. They have numerous secret societies. Their most important society is the Sekiapu or Ekine. This society has large masks that are held horizontally over the head, its otojo scimers. The Ijo think that these spirits share the same virtues and defects as humans since these before the birth of live man lived among them. Their masks are generally large and often represent marine or river animals.