Igala language

Look up Igala in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Igala is a Yoruboid language, spoken by the Igala ethnic group of Nigeria. In 1989 an estimated 800,000 spoke Igala, primarily in Kogi State, though current estimates place the number of Igala speakers at upwards of 10.6 million. Dialects include Ibaji, Idah, Dekina, Ogugu, Ankpa, Olu, the Olumbanasaa group (Anambra West); These lgala dialects share deep lexical (vocabulary) and structural similarities with the Yoruba and Itsekiri languages, with varying degrees of influence from neighbouring languages around the Niger-Benue triangular wedge where the Igala homeland is situated.^[2] Renowned linguist Kay Williamson recorded a cognate/similarity score of 66% between Yoruba and Igala, and a score of 56% between Igala and Itsekiri.^[3]

Igala, living on the left bank of the Niger River below its junction with the Benue River. Their language belongs to the Benue–Congo branch of the Niger–Congo family. Their ruler, the Àtá, traditionally also governed two other groups, the Bassa Nge and the Bass Nkome, who live between the Igala and the Benue River.^[4]

The first ruler of the kingdom to hold the title of 'Ata' was Ebule-Jonu, a woman; she was later succeeded by her brother, Agana-Poje, who was the father of Idoko.^[5] The origins of the Igala people are traditionally linked to Abutu-Eje, a legendary ancestor believed to have founded the Igala Kingdom during the 13th or 14th century.^[6] During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Igala Kingdom flourished under the leadership of the Ata Igala, a line of influential monarchs. Dominating the region both politically and militarily, the Igala Kingdom played a central role in shaping regional dynamics, influencing nearby ethnic groups and maintaining active trade and diplomatic networks.

People in Kogi State speak many languages across its 21 local government areas. Most of these languages are part of the Volta-Niger group of Niger-Congo languages.

The following is a list of indigenous languages and dialects in Kogi State, along with the locations where they are traditionally spoken;^[7]

1. Igala Language;^[8]

In Kogi State, the Igala language consists of six main dialects, such as

Idah

Imane

Ogugu

Ankpa

Ibaji

Dekina

Ife Dialects.

It is spoken across Olamaboro, Ankpa, Idah, Omala, Igalamela/Odolu, Ofu, Dekina, Ajaokuta, Bassa, and Ibaji local government area

2. Ebira Language;^[9]

Ebira-Ta’o,

Ebira-Koto/Mozum

Ebira Panda and

Eganyi Ebira

People speak them in Ajaokuta, Adavi, Okene, Okehi, Kotonkarfi, Lokoja, and Bassa.

3. Yoruba Language;^[10]

Owe

Yagba

Ijumu

Gbede

Bunu

Ikiri and

Oworo.

4.Oko Language;^[11]

Oko is spoken by people in Ogori/Magongo LGA.

5. Osayen Language;

Osayen is spoken by people in Magongo in Ogori/Magongo LGA.

6. Eni Language;

Eni is spoken by people in Ogori/Magongo LGA.

7.Ukaan Language

8. Akpes Language

9. Ahan Language

10. Ayere Language

11. Akoko Language;

People in the border areas of Ijumu LGA, between Kogi and Ondo States, speak Ukaan, Akpes, Ahan, Ayere, and Akoko.

12. Bassa-Komu Language

13. Bassa-Nge Language

14. Kupa Language

15. Kakanda Language

16. Nupe Language

There are about 16 native languages and many dialects spoken by the people of Kogi State.

The marriage process begins once an agreement is reached between the prospective husband and wife.Afterwards, both families investigate the background of their future in-laws(Anami).This is carried out because it is believed that any characters present in the family is likely to be inherited by the individual.^[12] After a satisfactory background check, the man’s family appoints a group of esteemed relatives to formally approach the lady’s family to request her hand in marriage. The lady’s family is notified of their visit through the daughter.^[13]

The process is then followed by an introduction ceremony, conducted in three distinct phases: the introduction of her paternal family, her maternal family, and finally, the introduction of the lady herself. While the introductions of the paternal and maternal families are essentially the same in procedure, they differ only in the specific titles used.^[14]

On the day of the marriage, both families and their guests gather to witness the matrimonial ceremony. In accordance with tradition, a mat is laid on the ground, and a new wrapper is placed upon it. The bride then arrives accompanied by her friends.

They enter dancing to the music and extend greetings to both families. Following this, the bride retires briefly to change clothes and returns to offer another greeting before departing once more. On her final return, she is accompanied by two close friends and stands upon the mat.

When asked to sit, her friends explain that the bride is experiencing discomfort and cannot remain seated. The groom’s family responds by showering them with money until they consent to sit.

The groom, dressed in the same cloth as the bride, arrives with two friends. Initially, they decline to sit, anticipating that the bride’s family will perform the money spraying; however, it is the groom’s own family and friends who carry out this custom. The groom and his companions then take their seats on their designated mat, also adorned with a wrapper.

The groom’s family spokesperson then delivers kola nuts, the bride price, and drinks to the bride’s family’s mediators, officially requesting their daughter’s hand in marriage. The bride’s family proceeds to ask their daughter for her approval, to which she is expected to agree.^[15]

The Igala people boast a rich culinary heritage rooted in locally sourced ingredients such as millet, corn, plantain, and bitter leaf. These staples form the foundation of many indigenous dishes that are both nutritious and culturally significant.^[16]

One of the most popular traditional meals is Ogidibo , a corn-based dish often regarded as the Igala version of the widely known moi-moi.^[17] It is celebrated not only for its taste but also for its cultural symbolism during communal and festive gatherings.

Other notable dishes include Ijobu, also made from corn, and Omaidi , which is prepared using millet.^[18] These meals highlight the resourcefulness of the Igala people in transforming simple agricultural products into flavorful, satisfying dishes that reflect their identity and tradition.

Igala's phonology is as follows:^[19]

Igala has seven oral vowels and five nasal vowels.

The Igala alphabet has a total of 31 letters.^[20][21]

Igala has seven vowel qualities and seven vowel letters: ⟨a⟩, ⟨e⟩ ⟨ẹ⟩ ⟨i⟩, ⟨o⟩, ⟨ọ⟩, and ⟨u⟩.^[20]

Igala also has five tones: extra high, high, mid-high, mid, and low.^[20][21]

1. The high tone is represented with an acute accent ⟨◌́⟩.
2. The mid tone is unmarked ⟨◌⟩.
3. The mid-high tone, which is an infrequent tone, is marked with a macron ⟨◌̄⟩.
4. The low tone is marked with a grave accent ⟨◌̀⟩.
5. The extra-high tone, which is usually found in negative statements, is marked with a dot ⟨◌̇⟩.

1. The word spelt, agba, depending on the tones used to pronounce it, may have four different meanings, namely:
   1. agba (casual greeting); pronounced with static, sustained Mid or Neutral tone – / ̩a ̩gba/
   2. àgbá (hand-cuffs); pronounced with Low-High tone combination / ̩à ‘gbá /
   3. àgbà (chin); pronounced with Low tone replicated – / ̩à ̩gbà /
   4. ágbá (Balsam tree); pronounced with the High tone duplicated – / á gbá / –
2. The bi-syllabic noun spelt, iga can generate three other words pronounced differently each having its distinct meaning as follows:
   1. ìga (Weaver bird); pronounced with Low-Mid tones – / ̩ ì ‘ga / – and a secondary-primary stress pattern.
   2. ìgà (net); pronounced with the Low tone duplicated – / ̩ ì ̩ gà / – and a secondary-secondary stress pattern.
   3. ìgá (estate); pronounced with the Low-High tone combination – / ̩ ì ‘gá / – and a secondary-primary stress pattern.^[22]

Igala edition of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

• Roger Blench, Paul Gross. 2005. Igala mammal names.