Nembe is a town and Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The people of Brass, Nembe and Southern Ijaw Councils of Bayelsa State have bemoaned their neglect by oil companies operating in their areas.

They also lamented years of oil spillages that have destroyed their environment, aquatic life, as well as air and water pollution and called on the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC) and international communities to come to their rescue.

History

It has an area of 760km and an estimated population of 327,500 as at 2024. The postal code of the area is 562. Much of the area of the LGA is occupied by the Edumanom National Forest.

Nembe is one of the major communities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The Nembe people primarily reside in Nembe Local Government Area, as well as in the towns of Twon Brass and Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area. They are also present in other coastal parts of Bayelsa State, reflecting their traditional livelihoods as fishermen, traders, and farmers.

The Nembe people speak the Nembe language, a sub-dialect of the Ijaw language. Like many other ethnic groups, they observe traditional customs and taboos. In Nembe Kingdom, the killing of snakes—particularly pythons—is forbidden and regarded as a serious offense. According to local folklore, the people have a longstanding cultural relationship with pythons, a connection passed down through generations.

Masquerade Culture in Nembe

The masquerade culture of the Nembe people is inherited from ancient times. The masquerade culture is an ageless and ancient traditional practice amongst the Nembe people. The masquerade culture has retained its basic features, and have continued to colour the social and cultural landscape of the Nembe people.

History or tradition has it that masquerades are spirit beings, and the belief of the Nembe people is that masquerades are spirit beings, signifying that the ancestors of the community are embodied in them. Masquerades appears in different forms and shapes and can perform in daytimes as well as in odd hours of the night. In Nembe land, masquerade displays are commonly seen in festive occasions or periods, and in burial of prominent personalities such as kings and chiefs. The Masquerade dance is also common during coronation ceremonies.

The Nembe masquerade culture can be traced to a dance club called Sekiapu. Claims have it that Sekiapu was founded in the 18th century by Meinyai Orugbani, the last son of King Mein of Nembe. He introduced the Sakiapu club which became a unified umbrella body of many masquerades from Kula, his maternal home.

List of towns and villages in Nembe LGA

Nembe Local Government Area consists of many villages and towns, below is the list:

1. Adukiri

2. Agada

3. Agbakabiriyai

4. Agrisaba

5. Akalukiri

6. Akakumana

7. Allagaokiri

8. Amasara

9. Atubo

10. Bendick-kiri

11. Benkiri

12. Dorgu-Ewoama

13. Dumobi-Kumakiri

14. Ekperikiri

15. Elemuama

16. Enyumuana

17. Etiema

18. Ewokiri

19. Fantuo

20. Fekorukiri

21. Igbeta-Ewoama

22. Ikensi

23. Isaiahkiri

24. Iseleogona

25. Iserekiri

26. Kalabile-ama

27. Mini

28. Namapogu

29. Nembe creek

30. Obiama

31. Obiata

32. Odekiri

33. Okipiri

34. Okokokiri

35. Okoroba

36. Okparantaba

37. Ologoma

38. Olusasiri

39. Oromabiri

40. Otatubu

41. Otumakiri

42. Sabatoru

43. Sangakubu

44. Shellkiri

45. Tengelkiri

46. Tengikokiri

47. Tombi

Notable people

• Frederick William Koko Mingi VIII of Nembe

Chief Ebiegberi Joe Alagoa (born 14 April 1933) , , is a Nigerian academic and author. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters.

Climate

The wet season is warm and overcast in Nembe, the dry season is hot and mostly cloudy, the temperature typically varies from 72°F to 86°F over the cost of the year and is rarely below 65°F or above 89°F.

References