The Kalabaris are one of the largest tribes in the South-south geopolitical zones of Nigeria and among one of its communities is Tombia Kingdom. The people are found in Rivers state and some parts of Bayelsa state.
Those in Rivers state are situated in Degema Local Government Area of the state. Tombia people are a force to reckon with among the Kalabari communities which also include Bukuma, Buguma, Bille, Abonemma, Harry’s Town, Degema, and so on. The people of Tombia like all Kalabari communities have western names added to their local names.
Their inter-relations with their slave masters made this possible.
Names such as Briggs, Harry, Lawson, Davies, and so on are very common. This is added to their indigenous names such as Fubara, Dagogo, Alalibo, Tonye, Pokima, and so on.
The people speak the Kalabari language as well as the English language as a result of the concentration of the Whites (English, Dutch, and Portuguese) before Nigerian independence. ‘Mbate’ is a popular way of greeting here, and it means ‘good day’.
The people are highly educated and have a love for western education even though this has dropped in recent times due to the side effects of an amnesty granted to some militants in the Niger-Delta region.
They are known to have a high concentration of Professors, Lawyers, and Doctors. Because of their civilized and generally peaceful behavior, they were called English men in the past.
There are two secondary schools in the community; Government Technical College and Community Secondary School Tombia have helped to groom many great men to form the community.
All Kalabari communities are surrounded by water and Tombia Kingdom isn’t an exception. It has Iwofe, Ikpokiri, and Bukuma as its closest neighbors. The community can be accessed through its waterways by speedboats, canoes, and ships.
The people are mostly fishermen due to its coastal areas. Men spread drag nets, fishing baskets, ho
ok and lines, and other methods to catch fish for consumption and commercial purposes.
Women are mostly traders and they sell kinds of seafood such as fishes, oysters, periwinkles, and so on.
The people practice traditional religion as they worshipped their local goddess particularly ‘Owemenakaso’. The advent of Christianity brought by the missionaries has turned many to be Christians.
In fact, it was said that Pentecostal churches (RCCG in particular) spread through the community through a Kalabari woman who housed a serving corps member that brought this form of Christianity.
Today, there are many pastors in the Kalabari communities including Tombia.
The people’s rich culture and tradition are showcased in their dressing. Men are adorned in Chieftaincy wear which is styled with fine golden chains that extend from the chest buttons to the pockets.
Hats, walking sticks, and coral beads are also part of the men’s wear. Men also wear a Georgian wrapper or trouser below the chieftaincy wear.
Women are beautiful in their colored blouses, coral beads (worn in the neck, wrists, and on th
e head) and Georgian wrapper tied to the waist. A beautiful Tombian bride dressed in this local attire is all you would cherish as a groom-to-be.
This is another way the rich culture and tradition of the people which consists of their dressing, food, and music is being showcased. Dowry is being paid by the groom just as in several other places, while the ‘iya’ which is one of the most expensive aspects of the marriage is also done.
Seafood is an important part of people’s cuisine. The Kalabari soup is a popular delicacy and is also known as local soup. Fishes, periwinkles, crayfishes are all important ingredients in this delicacy.
The people believed the goddess ‘Owemenakaso’ opposed war and bloodshed. They also claimed she was the sister of the British goddess Brittana, who ruled the seas.
