Ika language (Nigeria)

This article is about the Ika language spoken in Nigeria. For the Ika language spoken in Colombia, see Arhuaco language. For Ika dialect of Annang, see Ika-Annang.

Ika
Region	Delta State, Nigeria
Ethnicity	Ika people
Native speakers	not known
Language family	Niger–Congo? Atlantic– Volta–Deltan yeai Ika
Language codes
ISO 639-3	ikk
Glottolog	ikaa1238

The Ika language is spoken by Ika people of Delta and Edo states of southern Nigeria. The Ika people are specifically located in the North-West of Delta State but some like Igbanke, Inyelen and Ekpon are presently located in Edo State. Ika communities mostly comprise the following: Agbor, Owa, Umunede, Mbiri, Abavo, Orogodo, Otolokpo, Igbodo, Ute-Okpu, Ute-Ugbeje, Idumuesah, Akumazi, Ekpon (Edo State), Igbanke (Edo State), Inyelen Edo State).

Other Ika communities found in Edo State are Owanikeke, Owa-Riuzo Idu and Igbogili. The Ika language has both elements of Edo and Igbo (with more Igbo influence). This is what makes the language unique. On Delta Radio there is now news in Ika. Ikas have commenced writing the Bible in their language, and right now the gospels of Mark, Luke, Matthew and John have been published in Ika along with other books. Ifeanyi Okowa is a prominent son of Ika background.

There are other Ika speaking communities who are presently in Edo state, namely;

• Igbanke
• Ekpon
• Owa

External links

• Ikaworld