South South
Bayelsa State
Capital: Yenagoa · Created 1996 · ≈2.5 million · Area 10,773 km²
Population
≈2.5 million
Size
10,773 km²
Capital
Yenagoa
Year created
1996
Geopolitical zone
South South
Languages
Izon (Ijaw) · Nembe · Ogbia · English
Ethnic groups
- Ijaw (majority)
- Nembe
- Ogbia
- Epie-Atissa
Natural resources
- Crude oil & gas (major)
- Fisheries
- Timber
- Silica
Signature foods
- Kekefia (fish pepper soup)
- Polofiyai (yam-plantain porridge)
- Kalabari fresh-fish soup
- Native soup with periwinkle
Notable people
- Goodluck Jonathan (former President)
- Timipre Sylva (politician)
- Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (former governor)
- Melvin Ejiogu (activist)
Culture, values & festivals
- Ijaw seven-day week and Amanyanabo (paramount ruler) system
- Boat regattas
- Owigiri and Ijaw high-life music
- Peri-water riverine communities
Top places to visit in Bayelsa
- 1
Oxbow Lake, Yenagoa
Recreational lake and adjacent shopping arcade.
- 2
Ijaw National Museum, Otuoke
History and artefacts of the Ijaw people.
- 3
Akassa Slave Port
Historic slave-trade departure point.
- 4
Nembe Waterfront
Colourful boat markets and traditional Ijaw architecture.
About the South South
Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers. Niger Delta, oil belt, mangrove creeks, Calabar carnival.