Esan people

The Esan people, or Ishan people (Esan: Ẹ̀bhò Ẹ̀sán) are an ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria who speak the Esan language. The Esan are traditionally agriculturalists, trado-medical practitionals, mercenary warriors and hunters. They cultivate yams, cassava, maize, groundnut, bananas, oranges, plantains, and various vegetables.

The modern Esan nation is believed to have been organized during 15th century, when citizens, mostly nobles and princes, left the neighbouring Benin Empire for the northeast; there they formed communities and kingdoms called eguares among the aboriginal peoples whom they met there. There are on the whole 35 established kingdoms in Esanland, including Ekpoma, Ubiaja, Uromi, Igueben, and Ewu.

The Esan kingdoms often warred among each other. Despite the wars, the Esans kept a homogenous culture which was chiefly influenced by the Benin Empire. However, these kingdoms were colonized, along with the Benin Empire, by the British Empire during September 1897, only gaining independence 63 years later in 1960 when Nigeria became independent from British Colonial rule. After independence, the Esan people have suffered from civil war, poverty, and lack of infrastructure.