The people of Ekiti state belonged to the Yoruba race; descendant of Oduduwa in Ile-Ife. They are bounded to the north by Kwara and Kogi, to the west by Osun and south by Ondo. The main language or dialect which is spoken in their towns and villages. These include Ado-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti, Iyin-Ekiti, Otun-Ekiti, Ise-Ekiti, Aramoko-Ekiti, Erinjiyan-Ekiti, Ilawe-Ekiti, Omuo-Ekiti, Ijero-Ekiti and so on. ‘Ekiti-kete’ is a collective name used for all the indigenes of the state. The people on its own is said to be coined from ‘Okiti’ which means hilly because of the large number of hills in the area.
The people are predominantly hunters and farmers. They grow food crops such as cocoyam, yam, maize, leafy vegetables, okra, melon, etc. The people are skillful hunters. The hunt for games in their cowries decorated outfits and bags. They sometimes hunt in numbers, using dogs to catch their games. The best food of the people is pounded yam best served with shapa (zobo leaf) and melon soup. This delicacy is enjoyed with fresh palm wine and bush meats. You would hardly see an indigene without a mortar and pestle in their homes. They are tools for making their favorite food.
The people are led by kings and chiefs. One of which is the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti. The monarchs are dressed in agbada (robes), neck beads, wrist beads, crown and irukere (horse tail). Aso-Oke is the major type of clothing in the state. The women would tie Aso-Oke as a wrapper, use another piece of the material as gele (headgear) and the body is adorned with beautiful beads. This is the ceremonial form of dressing in the land. The people are also rich in cultural music. They make use of sekere, agogo (gong) and drums as their musical instrument. Masquerades who are dressed in palm fronds or grasses also add glamour to their ceremonies and festivals.
The modern people of the state are educated and learned. The state has the largest number of Professors in the country. A town in it is said to have nothing less than ten professors. They have all contributed to the educational institutions in Nigeria and the world. Notable academia includes Professor Niyi Osundare, Professor Babalola Borishade, Afe Babalola and Femi Falana. No wonder the states’ slogan is ‘Fountain of Knowledge’. The people are accommodating and well-to-do group of people.