Ika language (Nigeria)

Last updated
Ika
Region Delta and Edo, Nigeria
Ethnicity Ika people
Native speakers
23,000 (2000) [1]
Niger–Congo?
Language codes
ISO 639-3 ikk
Glottolog ikaa1238
Ika

The Ika language is an Igbo dialect, classified under Nuclear Igboid in the Yeai language family. [2]

Contents

The dialect is spoken primarily by the Ika people of Delta and Edo states of southern Nigeria. [3]

More specifically, the Ika people are in the North-West 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). [3]

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. [4] Ifeanyi Okowa is a prominent son of Ika background. [5]

Ika phonological comparisons

A concise phonological juxtaposition among three distinct Ika dialects. [6]

EnglishAkumuzi (North-East) dialect of IkaOwa (North South) dialect of IkaAgbor (South) dialect of Ika
‘cloth’akwaekwaekwa
'paper'akuwoekukwoehuhwo
‘chewing stick’atuetuetu
‘sponge’eluerueru
'sweet'usousouswo

Further reading

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References

  1. Ika at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022) Closed Access logo transparent.svg
  2. "Glottolog 4.8 - Ika". glottolog.org. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  3. 1 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.
  4. "Complete Bible now in Ika language". Ika Weekly Newspaper. 2019-04-02. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  5. Dr, Mefor (28 June 2022). "Igbo ancestry: Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has nothing to prove". Thecable.ng.
  6. "The Ika community: a sociolinguistic description - PDF Free Download" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-01-02.