The Founding of Kula
Kula is one of the ancient Kingdoms in the lower Niger Delta, situated at the tip of the Atlantic Ocean between the estuaries of River Santa Babara and St. Bartholomew. The name Kula was derived from the founder, King Kulabe (Tari Kulabe). The people speak Kalabari, a variant of the Izon language.
The original founders were Ijaws who migrated from Okpoin-Ama in the current Central Delta. They landed at the Warri area (Iselema) at a place called Ita-Kula (Itsekiri junction), where they inter-married with the Itsekiri people before setting off to the lower Niger Delta.
The 14 Communities
Under the central leadership of Opu-Kulabe, the people flourished. Kula developed into 14 communities spread across the bight of Bonny:
- Opu-Kula (Capital)
- Boro
- Obiama
- Nangwoama
- Ariama
- Kongoama
- Owanga/Okoma
- Isoma
- Offo-Kilama-Diaba
- Ngeje/Ngereje ama
- Boye Ama
- Singi-ama
- Toni/Ndama
- Ibiame or Agudame
Modern Kula & The Arrival of Esara
Following the meeting of the various community heads and King Opu-Igbaniye-Oko, a decision was made to move the 14 communities to a single settlement for administrative convenience and defense. On arrival, land was allotted by Chief Ibiamina-Ekeke.
It was during this period that Esara (now Sara) arrived. Esara, a palm wine tapper fleeing from Ikordi via Bille, was granted asylum by King Igbaniye-Oko. He was settled at a place he named "Otome" (Kula thank you). Esara was a refugee who pledged perpetual loyalty to the Kula Kingdom; he was never a chief or a king.
The Spiritual Endorsement of King Oko
The kingship of Kula has a deep spiritual base. A beautiful woman named Queen Oruba (wife of the river god, Adum) visited King Igbaniye-Oko from the river. The King treated her with immense kindness and did not touch her. Infuriated by her praise of the King, Adum abducted the King into the river for seven days.
When brought before the court of the water gods, King Oko did not fear for his life; instead, he corrected their seating arrangement based on hierarchy. Impressed, the gods released him with heavy spiritual prowess. He exchanged his raffia crown (Ebeda) for Adum's white cloth crown (Ogborigbo) and the staff of office (Oko Inkpara), which are still used in Kula today.