Afemai people
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 274,000 (1995) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Nigeria
|
|
| Languages | |
| Afemai | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Islam and African traditional religion |
The Afemai people, also spelled Afenmai are a group of people living in the northern part of Edo State south geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
Afemai people occupy six local government areas of Edo state: Etsako West, with headquarters in Auchi, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Owan East, Owan West and Akoko Edo. These make up the Edo-North Senatorial District.
The Afemai are also known as the Afenmai, Etsako, Estakor, Iyekhee, or Yekhee people. In Benin, they are also known as Ivbiosakon people.
The Afenmai language is a Ghotou-Uneme-Yekhee language, belonging to the North-Central branch of Edoid languages. Afemai is closely related to Edo.
Afemai has several documented dialects:
Afemai is made of several kingdoms and clans (large villages/townships ruled traditionally by monarchs) and many of them seem to have their own oral history versions of the origin of Afemai as well as its own starting point in history. Historical accounts claimed that they migrated from Benin, during the tyrannical rule of Oba Ewuare, the greatest warrior legend and the most outstanding king in the history of Benin Empire. “The title Ewuare (Oworuare), meaning "all is well" or the trouble has ceased and as a result the war is over. The title symbolizes an epoch of reconciliation, reconstruction and the return of peace among the warring factions in Benin between 1435-1440 AD.
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