Idoma language

Idoma
Region	Benue State, Central Nigeria
Ethnicity	Idoma
Native speakers	(600,000 cited 1991)
Language family	Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Volta–Niger noi Idomoid Etulo–Idoma Idoma
Language codes
ISO 639-3	idu
Glottolog	idom1241

Idoma is the second official language spoken in the Benue State in southeast-central Nigeria, by approximately 600,000 people (1991 estimate). The Idoma language is made up of the dialects of Agatu, Otukpo, Otukpa, Orokam-Aalala, Akpa Agila, Utonkon, Etilo, Iyala. The Idoma people are predominantly hunters, farmers and fishermen. They are peace loving people and hospitable and comprises mainly Christians, few Muslims and many traditional religious worshipers. they are borderd to the north by Nasarawa, south by cross river, east by Taraba and west by Enugu and Kogi States

Notable Idoma people

• Moses Ochonu, author, historian. Edited by Johnson Oishoma, Linguist.
• Dr. Pastor Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre.
• David Mark, Former Senate President, Nigerian Senate.
• Prof. Jerry Agada, Former State Minister of Education, Author and essayist.
• 2baba Innocent Idibia, Multi-award winning international superstar musician.

List of some animals in Idoma and their English interpretations

Animal name in English -------- Animal name in Idoma

Dog ------------------------------Ewo

Tiger ----------------------------Eje

Lion-------------------------- Agaba

Elephant -----------------Adagba

Squirrel --------------------Ocha

Grand Squirrel --------Okwleje

Antelope -----------------Awi

Gorilla-------------------- Obagwu

Cow ------------------------Ena

Scorpion------------- Ena/Akpe

Goat-------------------- Ewu

Male-goat ---------------Opi

Horse ------------------Onya

Sheep ------------Ala/Adangba

Ram -----------------------Omede

Hawk---------------------- Uche

Kite ------------------------Omaga

Eagle---------------------- Okpe

Snake -----------------------Egwa

Boa (snake)------------- Idu

Python (snake)--------- Idili

Lizard -----------------------Apa

Mamba (snake) ---------+Aka

Cobra (snake) ------------Owa

Mole (snake)------------- Ekwu

Viper (snake) ------------Ogwiji

Crocodile ------------------Ikwu

Partridge -------------------Ewa

Monkey--------------------- Eka

Parrot ------------------------Iga

Rooster ------------------Obugwu

Mice -----------------------Akoto

Rat --------------------Ifu/Ikrekwu

Chimpanzee ------------Ehlo

Bat ------------------------Ido/udo

Sparrow---------------- Egwe

Finch ---------------------Aylo

Vulture---------------Epu/Efu

Bald Eagle ---------------Acha

Tortoise --Ikinabo/Okpakwu

Butterfly --------------------Ibebe

Chameleon -------------Anyinya

Woodpecker -Otachikpokpo

Crab ---------------------------Akle

Toad --------------------------Aklifu

Dog ----------------------------Ewo

Dove --------Okede/Okarikede

Pigeon -----------------Okantebe

Owl ---------------------Ogwugwu

Deer ---------------------Ewi

Falcon --------------Uch’Okpafa

Giraffe --------------Ocha

Koala ----------------Akango

Penguin------------- Igwe

Onyx -----------------Enoba

Zebra---------------- Otina

Beetle ---------------Ogbemi

Swift ----------------Akpandede

Praying matins------- Ogongo

Grasshopper-------------- Ikaka

Cricket----------------------- Ata

Grasscutter-------------- Obije

Ant ---------------------------Ilu

Soldier Ant------------- Egayinu

Mosquito---------------------- Imu

Fish --------------------------Ebenyi

Cat fish --------------------Edu

Tilapia ---------------Apatampa

Pig --------------------Ehi/Okome

Cat --------------------Obla/Obisi

Duck -----------------Idangbolo

Ferret ----------------Otekneje

Ringneck dove ----------Otitii

Cockroach Akpanga/Apupre

Electric fish ----------------Oriri

Agama Lizard ------Obolokpo

Red-headed Lizard -Oroburu

Wasp --------------------Amlupka

Bee -----------------------------Enwu

Hedgehog -------------------Egbe

Snail -----------------------------Igbi