The Ika language is an

Igboid Igboid languages constitute a branch of the Volta–Niger language family. The subgroups are: * Ekpeye * Nuclear Igboid: Igbo, Ikwerre, Ika, Ngwa, Izii– Ikwo–Ezza– Mgbo, Ogba and Ukwuani-Aboh-Ndoni Williamson and Blench conclude th ...

language spoken primarily by the Ika people of Delta and

Edo Edo ( ja, , , "bay-entrance" or "estuary"), also romanized as Jedo, Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of Tokyo. Edo, formerly a ''jōkamachi'' (castle town) centered on Edo Castle located in Musashi Province, became the ''de facto'' capital of ...

states of southern

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

. The Ika people are specifically located in the North-West of Delta State but some like

Igbanke Igbanke is an Ika people community in Edo State, Nigeria. Ika is Igbo dialects which is spoken in parts of Delta and Edo States of Nigeria. Igbanke was founded by migrants from Onitsha and Ika land. The autonomous communities in Igbanke include; ...

, Inyelen and Ekpon are presently located in

Edo State Edo, commonly known as Edo State, is a state located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. As of 2006 National population census, the state was ranked as the 24th populated state (3,233,366) in Nigeria, However there was controvers ...

. Ika communities mostly comprise the following:

Agbor Agbor is the most populous city among the Ika people. It is located in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, in South-south geo-political zone of Nigeria, West Africa. Agbor is the headquarters of Ika South Local Government Area, in D ...

, Owa, Umunede, Mbiri, Abavo, Orogodo, Otolokpo, Igbodo, Ute-Okpu, Ute-Ugbeje, Idumuesah, Akumazi, Ekpon (Edo State), Igbanke (Edo State), Inyelen Edo State), Iru egbede (Edo State). Other Ika communities found in Edo State are Owanikeke, Owa-Riuzo Idu and Igbogili. 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 Ifeanyichukwu Arthur Okowa (born 8 July 1959) is a Nigerian doctor and politician who has served as Governor of Delta State since May 2015. A member of the Peoples Democratic Party, he is the party's vice presidential nominee in the 2023 pre ...

is a prominent son of Ika background. There are other Ika speaking communities who are presently in Edo state, namely; *

* Ekpon * Owa * Ute Oheze * Ute Obagie * Iru * Oghada * Ogan

Belief

The Ika people are predominantly Christian's as Christianity is the most common religion practiced among the Ika people although with traditional worship still in practice also.

Economy

The Ika (of Delta state) brag of being the home to the best African Palmwine. Ika clan are significantly Farmers and the rich participate in Palm wine business with red oil extraction or different structures, for example, palm wine tapping is their major source of income.

References

External links

* * * * Languages of Nigeria Subject–object–verb languages Igboid languages {{nigerCongo-lang-stub