The Ijaw speak nine closely related Niger–Congo languages, all of which belong to the Ijoid branch of the Niger–Congo tree. The primary division between the Ijo languages is that between Eastern Ijo and Western Ijo, the most important of the former group of languages being Izon, which is spoken by about four million people.

There are two prominent groupings of the Izon language. The first, termed either Western or Central Izon (Ijaw) consists of Western Ijaw speakers: Ekeremor, Sagbama (Mein), Bassan, Apoi, Arogbo, Boma (Bumo), Kabo (Kabuowei), Ogboin, Tarakiri, and Kolokuma-Opokuma (Yenagoa).[citation needed] Nembe, Brass and Akassa (Akaha) dialects represent Southeast Ijo (Izon).[citation needed]. Buseni and Okordia dialects are considered Inland Ijo.[citation needed]

The other major Ijaw linguistic group is Kalabari. Kalabari is considered an Eastern Ijaw language but the term "Eastern Ijaw" is not the normal nomenclature. Kalabari is the name of one of the Ijaw clans that reside on the eastern side of the Niger-Delta (Abonnema, Buguma, Bakana, Degema etc.) who form a major group in Rivers State, hence their involvement in the fight for greater oil control. Other "Eastern" Ijaw clans are the Okrika, Ibani (the natives of Bonny, Finima and Opobo) and Nkoroo. They are neighbours to the Kalabari people in present day Rivers State, Nigeria.

Other related Ijaw subgroups which have distinct languages but very close kinship, cultural and territorial ties with the rest of the Ijaw are the Epie-Atissa, Engenni (also known as Ẹgẹnẹ), and Degema (also called Udekama or Udekaama).[3] These groups speak Delta Edoid languages. The Ogbia clan, Andoni people, as well as residents of Bukuma and Abuloma (Obulom) speak Cross River languages.[citation needed]

It was discovered in the 1980s that a nearly extinct Berbice Creole Dutch, spoken in Guyana, is partly based on Ijo lexicon and grammar. Its nearest relative seems to be Eastern Ijo, most likely Kalabari (Kouwenberg 1994).

Nice one. I ve lived in brass bayelsa for about a yr. and i wonder how easy it is to speak the language cos it sounds like somebody speaking wth okro soup in the mouth.....Lol.
Funny enuf u see a child of 2yrs understanding wat d mum said in dia dialect.. thats d beauty of mother tongue.....
I really enjoyed dia phonological interference of calling fish as "fis"
I also love their rich culture....they can spend heaven and earth on burials i.e. they respect their dead so much..
I enjoyed my stay wth dem though. " their aggresive nature".........
Oonua oooo!!!!..
Seridoha!!!..

I think you meant to say 'insight'.

The Ijaws are amazing people. I have a few of them as friends.

This is an educative article. I will recommend it for the front page.

Space

Still reading

#BringBackOurGirls--BBOG
and
#BringBackOurGeJ---BBOG
Abeg wetin be d difference?

...

wonderful

All these thousands of languages only in Africa. I wonder how we became so heavenly divided.

ijaw & their wahala

Ijo (Kalabari) people are wonderful people..have some friends

Nairalanders copying from wikipedia since eve gave Adam d fruit. ...... Love and respect to d ijaws sha

Good a thing to see Ijaws no longer claiming Ogbia( an ibibiod language group) and Degema( an Edoid language group). This is good. Nice thread.

Urhoboman, present#
I thought ijaw is a deltan tribe. How dem take stretch leg reach rivers?

Nice write up, need. To learn more about my people.

God bless the Ijaw land/water and her people. Ijaw for life HA IZON!!!!!!!!!

very good insight and very educative!
for those who love weed and want it to legalised
follow this link www.nairaland.com/1889887/thread-those-love-weed#26227477

urhoboman: Urhoboman, present#
I thought ijaw is a deltan tribe. How dem take stretch leg reach rivers?

I may be wrong but I think some ijaws are also in ondo state

Proudly ijaw.

urhoboman: Urhoboman, present#
I thought ijaw is a deltan tribe. Hopw dem take stretch leg reach rivers?

please try to educate yourself a little so as not to disgrace yourself in public again.

Bringback our girls, 20bdollar, subsidy etc. Or we bringback jonathan to otueke in 2015.

pazienza: Good a thing to see Ijaws no longer claiming Ogbia( an ibibiod language group) and Degema( an Edoid language group). This is good. Nice thread.

I know this troll would be here. A confirmed ignorant vulture who feeds on on carcass. I've never seen an Ijawphobic creature in my life who could render the Itsekiris ineffective at the game. Were you a fly in ur former life?

wonderful read






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Kalabari girls dey fine small.

Didn't they are related to the dreaded Ijaw tribe.
OP, what of Otuoke?




I don't know about this person shaa »

Proudly Kalabari, Proudly Ijaw....

Lakayanah: please try to educate yourself a little so as not to disgrace yourself in public again.

Ijaws are also in Delta state

Lakayanah: please try to educate yourself a little so as not to disgrace yourself in public again.

heard you. But its not a disgrace to me, that's why I asked to learn from here

Rivers state is ijaw dominated,i wonder why ameachi is supporting Northern APC candidature to win rivers state.

Greater wonder is how the ogoni with the support of ameachi will win rivers Gov with dominated ijaw. Time shall tell.