Ghana: Have you ever wondered why Akans call Ewes "Ayigbe" people?

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In today's video, we'll walk you through a frequently asked question about a popular tribe in West Africa and also tell you how the Ewe tribe (or The Gbe People of Ghana) ended up with the name 'Ayigbe'? According to wikipedia, there are 6 million ewe people in Ghana, 0.58 million in Nigeria, 3.1 million in Togo and 0.60 million in Benin. The Ewe people are also a minority ethnic group in Ivory Coast. They speak the “Ewe language”. Some archaeological evidence suggests that they can be traced back to the 13th century to Oyo, Nigeria. Other oral and archaeological traditions suggests that serious migrations started in the 11th century. It is also said that the ewe people might have spent time in Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. When the British, Belgian, French, German and Portuguese colonies created borders in the 19th century, the Ewe people were divided; the Ewe speaking people of West Africa inhabit the areas between the river Volta in modern Ghana and the river mono on the western borders of the ancient kingdom of Benin. This has meant that Ewe people, like many other ethnic group in Africa have developed different dialects amongst themselves, and are ruled by different governments.
You still want to know how they earned or git the name Ayigbe in Ghana or Why some Akans call the Ewes, Ayigbe people? Well, we have two stories for you! The Ewes are not Ayigbe! Ayigbe people are Ga people that went to stay in togo because of tribal war between Ga and Akwamu at Ayawaso war, so they now live in Togo but still have Ga names Ayi, Ayitey etc but they speak Togo Ewe, after the war they were called to return but they refused hence the term 'Ayi-gbe' meaning Ayi, who was their leader at that time refused to come back.
But there is a myth that the Ashantis once saw Ewe people celebrating a grand funeral of their dead great chief. At that time, the Ashantis didn’t know who they were then. The Ewe people were weeping and calling the name or title of their dead chief, Ayi. Ayi, the chief of Gbe people is dead, which literally translates to Ayigbe. So from that time, the Ashantis started calling the Ewes, 'Ayigbefour'. That is why till date, some Ashantis refer to the Ewes as Ayigbefour!
Which of the two oral stories hold true to you? Kindly drop your comment and catch you soon for next stories.

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