The Original Founders
The original founders of the Kula Kingdom were Ijaws who migrated from Okpoin-Ama in the current Central Delta. They landed at the Warri area (Iselema) in a place called Ita-Kula (Itsekiri junction). Here they inter-married with the Itsekiri people. By the time they set off again, a substantial number of Itsekiris joined the expedition. The next destination was the lower Niger Delta, where they occupied different settlements according to their families, but under the rule of Opu-Kula.
Under the Central leadership of Opu Kulabe (or Tari Kulabe) they flourished. It was Opukulabe and his followers that first deforested Opu-Kula land and settled before allotting land to his followers. Those who followed him from Warri were appointed to take care of different settlements as heads and Chiefs. This he did over all the settlements under his influence, while he reigned from Opu-Kula, the Headquarters.
The 14 Communities
By the time the various groups settled, Kula had developed 14 Communities spread across the bight of Bonny with the Atlantic Ocean on the South. Bound on the West by the River known as Awon-Toru and to the East across to the west of the Sombrieiro River. To the north, Kula has boundary with Soku and Elem Sangama communities all in Rivers State.
- 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
Some of the 14 Communities also founded fishing and farming settlements, before the leadership of Opu-Kula mooted the plan to bring the 14 Communities to one Mainland Town (the new Kula). This was necessitated by the outbreak of avoidable attacks on member communities, the need for administrative convenience, and the desire to find solutions for occasional health challenges that needed to be addressed collectively.
Before the great movement, the reigning King, Igbaniye Oko the 1st also had a fishing settlement that later evolved into a full-fledged community called Belema. King Kulabe was succeeded by his son, King Ala, and King Ala was succeeded by his son, King Igbanibo, who gave birth to Oko and Kula Inabere. The latter migrated to Bonny and raised the Oko Jumbo family of Bonny. It is for this reason that King Oko is sometimes referred to as Igbaniye-Oko, meaning, the son of Igbanibo.
The Kula Kingdom with 14 Communities and headquarters in Opu Kula was already a fully developed organic entity before the coming of Esara – one of the Engene immigrants. Upon his acceptance, King Oko sent him to a portion of the Kula area called Opu-Konbio. The place was later renamed "Kula Otome" by Sara, meaning "Kula thank you" in the Engene language.