| Ika | |
| Region: | Delta and Edo state. Nigeria |
| Ethnicity: | Ika people |
| Date: | 2000 |
| Ref: | e25 |
| Familycolor: | Niger-Congo |
| Fam2: | Atlantic-Congo |
| Fam3: | Volta–Congo |
| Fam4: | Volta–Niger |
| Fam6: | Nuclear Igboid |
| Iso3: | ikk |
| Glotto: | ikaa1238 |
| Glottorefname: | Ika |
| Glotto2: | Ika |
The Ika language is an Igboid dialect, classified under Nuclear Igboid in the Yeai language family.[1]
The dialect is spoken primarily by the Ika people of Delta and Edo states of southern Nigeria.[2]
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 (Edo State).
Other Ika-speaking communities found in Edo 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.[3] Ifeanyi Okowa is a prominent son of Ika background.[4]
A concise phonological juxtaposition among three distinct Ika dialects.[5]
| 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 |