Diplomatic Rituals, Trade and Colonial Negotiations: A Study of Nembe and Epie Relations

This research explores the intricate tapestry of inter-group relations between the Nembe and Epie peoples in the Niger Delta, with a particular focus on diplomatic rituals, trade interactions, and colonial-era negotiations. The Ijoid and Delta Edoid-speaking communities have historically shared complex socio-religious ties shaped by kinship, commerce, ritual diplomacy, and later, the pressures of colonial imposition. The research examines how traditional diplomatic practices-such as oath-taking, exchange of ritual items, and intermarriage functioned not only as conflict resolution tools but also as frameworks for sustaining peaceful coexistence and mutual economic benefits. The study is underpinned by the Transactional Theory of Diplomacy as a process of reciprocal exchange involving both tangible (trade, gifts) and intangible (prestige, alliances) assets. This theoretical lens allows a deeper interrogation of how local actors navigated authority, identity, and autonomy amidst changing political and religious landscapes. The thematic foci to guide this inquiry are as follows: Ritual Diplomacy and inter-group Covenant-making-which analysis indigenous protocols that governed relations and conflict mediation; Trade Networks and Maritime Exchange-by this assessing the role of canoe-borne commerce and barter systems in shaping regional economy is structured; and Colonial Interference and Negotiated Adaptations-investigating how colonial agents disrupted or co-opted existing diplomatic systems, especially during treaty-making and the imposition of indirect rule. The research contributes to the growing literature on Niger Delta history by foregrounding subaltern diplomatic practices often overshadowed by colonial documentation. It underscores the resilience and agency of local communities in adapting and resisting external pressures through culturally embedded negotiations. In conclusion, understanding NembeEpie relations offers new insights into pre-colonial and colonial diplomacy in Africa. Recommendations include incorporating indigenous diplomatic knowledge into peace-building frameworks and emphasizing oral histories in reconstructing inter-ethnic relations.