Ika language (Nigeria)

Ika
Region	Delta and Edo, Nigeria
Ethnicity	Ika Indigenous Group
Native speakers	(560,000 cited 2000) [1]
Language family	Niger–Congo? Atlantic-Congo Volta–Congo Volta–Niger yeai Edoid languages Ika
Language codes
ISO 639-3	ikk
Glottolog	ikaa1238

The Ika language is a distinct language derived from the Edoid language. The language is spoken primarily by the Ika Indigenous Group present in Delta and Edo states of South South region of Nigeria. The Ika Indigenous Group are descendants of the Great Benin Kingdom. The Igboid language appears to have been derived from the IKA/Edoid language, with some words appearing similar.

While IKA, Igboid and Edoid (Bini) languages are distinct, they share some vocabulary and are part of the broader Niger-Congo language family, which shows their linguistic relationship. Some words with similar meanings and pronunciations include "Oba" (king), "Baba" (father), "Omo" (child), "Ogede" (plantain/banana), and "Igbo" (bush), Edoid(Okhukhu), Ika (Ohuhu) & Igboid(Okuko) means Fowl, Oisa / Ose in Ika & Edoid meaning God, which Igoid will say Olise. The IKA & Igboid language is highly influenced by the Bini Edoid Language, hence, it couldn't have been Igboid.

The shared vocabulary often stems from ancient connections and shared cultural origins within the region, rather than direct language translation.

^[2]

The Ika people are in the Delta North area of Delta State; but some, like Igbanke, Inyelen and Ekpon, are currently in Edo State. Ika communities mostly comprise the following: Agbor, Owa, Umunede, Mbiri, Abavo, Orogodo, Otolokpo, Igbodo, Ute-Okpu, Ute-Ugbeje, Idumuesah, Akumazi, Ekpon, Igbanke, Inyelen, Iru egbede (Delta State). ^[2]

Other Ika-speaking communities found in Delta State are Owanikeke, Owa-Riuzo Idu, Igbogili, Ute Oheze, Owa Ute, Oheze Ute, Obagie N’Oheze, Oghada, and Ogan and Ute Obagie N’Oheze. On Delta Radio there is now news in the Ika language. Ikas have started to write the Bible in their language, and the gospels of Mark, Luke, Matthew and John have been published in Ika along with other books. ^[3]

Ika phonological comparisons

A concise phonological juxtaposition among three distinct Ika dialects. ^[4]

English	Akumuzi (North-East) dialect of Ika	Owa (North South) dialect of Ika	Agbor (South) dialect of Ika
‘cloth’	akwa	ekwa	ekwa
'paper'	akuwo	ekukwo	ehuhwo
‘chewing stick’	atu	etu	etu
‘sponge’	elu	eru	eru
'sweet'	uso	uso	uswo

Further reading

• Uguru, Joy Oluchi (2015). "Ika Igbo". Illustrations of the IPA. Journal of the International Phonetic Association. 45 (2): 213–219. doi: 10.1017/S0025100315000067 , with supplementary sound recordings.

References

1. Ika at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022)
2. Uguru, Joy Oluchi (20 July 2015). "Ika Igbo". Journal of the International Phonetic Association. 45 (2): 213–219. doi: 10.1017/S0025100315000067 . ISSN   0025-1003.
3. "Complete Bible now in Ika language". Ika Weekly Newspaper. 2019-04-02. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
4. "The Ika community: a sociolinguistic description - PDF Free Download" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-01-02.

External links

• "Ikaworld - News Articles, Ika Community Nigeria". Ikaworld. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
• Onwaniban, Evelyn. "IKA: IGBO or EDO?".
• "STOP PROMOTING IGBO CULTURE, SAYS DEIN OF AGBOR". Ika Weekly Newspaper. 2018-05-12. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
• "Promote The 'Unique Agbor Culture Instead Of Igbo' – Dein Keagborekuzi Tells Subjects". The Oasis Reporters. 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2022-12-26.