Eloyi, Afo in Nigeria

Introduction / History

The Eloyi are found scattered among the Benue, and Plateau Provinces in central Nigeria. The principal geographic feature in their region is a fifteen mile range of steep rocky hills, in which most of the Eloyi lived until 1918.

In 1918, a revolt occurred, and most Eloyi were forced to leave their strongholds in the rocks and to settle in the plains at the foot of the range. Since then, some have moved back to the rocky hills, leaving them again isolated, even from their Eloyi brothers in the plains.

In 1932, the British divided the Eloyi into ten village areas, each under a village head. However, the Eloyi preserved their attitude of independence and refused to recognize the village head, feeling that their customs, traditions, and religion were being threatened. Today, though many of their customs persist, large numbers of Eloyi are working for wages as they gradually become integrated into a larger commercial economy.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In comparison to some other tribes in the Benue Valley, the Eloyi are more economically advanced. The Eloyi in the hills plant guinea corn, cotton, yams, and tobacco. They specialize in weaving and dyeing, since there is a high local demand for cloth. They travel far distances to trade their surplus goods. The Eloyi of the plains, however, are mostly farmers who trade only on a small scale. They obtain cash from the export of palm-oil and dried fish. Eloyi men hunt, clear the land for agriculture, and do most of the fishing and large-scale trading. Women trade at the local level, often making more money than do their husbands. They also help in cultivation and perform most household responsibilities, such as caring for children and preparing meals.

The Eloyi live in compact villages or towns; some of them walled. The larger villages are divided into wards, which are sometimes separated into distinct hamlets. In the hills, round huts with conical thatched roofs serve as Eloyi houses. They are grouped in a compound around a central courtyard, which serves as a place for social gatherings and relaxation. The plains people fortify their villages and construct large houses, adopting the Hausa pattern of compounds.

To most Eloyi, the village community is everything and the tribe, nothing. No tribal organizations have been found among them. Each village has a stubborn independence of the next, causing frequent tension between the Eloyi tribe as a whole.

Each village has a chief who is assisted by a council of elders. Together, they handle most village affairs and try cases. The gado is the father of the community and the final authority on Eloyi custom. He orders the performance of village planting and harvest rites, which are carried out on the grave of their ancestors. He also decides questions of law.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Although a small number of the Eloyi have become Muslim, the majority continue to practice their traditional beliefs. The Eloyi believe in the impersonal god, Owo. The cult of Owo is personal and not a group affair. Owo is symbolized by either a white silk cotton tree or a fig tree, depending on the location in which a particular Eloyi lives.

Ancestor worship (the belief that the spirits of deceased ancestors are alive and need to be fed and cared for) is important in Eloyi life. Masked ancestor impersonation is central to their worship. Witchcraft, magic, and divination with strings, are also a part of Eloyi ethnic beliefs.

What Are Their Needs?

The Eloyi have few Christian resources available to them; thus the need for Bible translators and literacy workers is great.

Continuing prayer and intercession is needed to reach the hearts of these people with the love of Christ.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into central Nigeria to work among the Eloyi.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to missions agencies focusing on the Eloyi.
Pray that God will give the Eloyi believers boldness to share Christ with their own people.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Ask the Lord to bring forth a growing Eloyi church for the glory of His name!

Text Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center