ENGENNI
The Engenni peopleare an Ijaw subgroup that live in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. They are considered to be Ijoid based on linguistic grounds. They are actually Ijoid (they are of Ijaw root). This is because their oral history connects them with their Ijaw relatives. They primarily live in Ahoada west local government area of Rivers state, Nigeria. Although they consider themselves to be Engenni, the Engenni speak an Ijoid language. Alagoa (2003) said: “The penetration of the Niger-Delta by Edoid groups extends to the Epie-Atissa and Engenni of the central and Eastern Niger-Delta—-The Epie, along with the Ogbia and other groups of the central and eastern Niger-Delta, are historically united with the Ijaw.” The other groups of the central and eastern Niger-Delta which Professor Ebiegberi Alagoa said that were historically united with the Ijaw, include the Engenni, as shown from his narrative above. The Engenni have close relations with neighbouring Ijaw tribes such as the Zarama and Epie-Atissa.
