The Ika language is an Igbo dialect, classified under Nuclear Igboid in the Yeai language family.[2]
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]
English
Akumuzi (North-East) dialect of Ika
Owa (North South) dialect of Ika
Agbor (South) dialect of Ika
‘cloth’
akwa
ekwa
ekwa
'paper'
akuwo
ekukwo
ehuhwo
‘chewing stick’
atu
etu
etu
‘sponge’
elu
eru
eru
'sweet'
uso
uso
uswo
Further reading
Uguru, Joy Oluchi (2015). "Ika Igbo". Illustrations of the IPA. Journal of the International Phonetic Association. 45 (2): 213–219. doi:10.1017/S0025100315000067, with supplementary sound recordings.
