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The 'Itsekiri' (also called the 'Jekri', 'Isekiri' or 'Ishekiri') are an ethnic group of Nigeria's Niger delta area, particularly the city of Warri. The Itsekiri number roughly 450,000 people.
In the fifteenth century, the Itsekiri adopted a prince from the Kingdom of Benin as a monarch, and quickly coalesced into a kingdom under his rule. Traditionally fishermen and traders, the Itsekiri were among the first in the region to make contact with Portuguese traders. These interactions led the Itsekiri to become primarily Roman Catholic. The Itsekiri monarchy has continued to the present day, with the coronation of Ogiame Atuwatse II in 1987. The itsekiri, though small in numbers are considered to be a highly educated tribe and endowed with a rich cultural heritage.

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External links

External links

★ Urhobo Historical Society article

★ Africana Digitization Project article, "The Slave Trade in Niger Delta Oral Tradition"

★ Itsekiri US