Ika people
The Ika people are located in Ika South and Ika North East Local Government of Delta State as well as part of Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. Ika people have a unique language and culture that stern from the Benin Kingdom. The Ika people, often confused as Igbo, are native to Delta and Edo States of Southern Nigeria. Often confused with Igbo because of the language similarities, the Ika people are one of the tribes in the Delta and Edo states.
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | |
| Languages | |
| Ika, English | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Traditional religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Edo, Igbo |
The Ika tribe is not Igbo, but shares similarities with them. For instance, the Ika language is very similar to Igbo but both do not clearly understand each other. History has it that the Igbo influence in Ika is from Igbo merchants who settled in the area at some point in the old days. Ika people also share so much in terms of culture and lifestyle with the Benin people as most of the Ika communities were discovered by Benin Prince’s and chiefs.
Agbor, Owa (Agbor and Owa being the major Ika speaking place), Umunede/Umuede, Owerre Olubor, Ekuoma, Emuhu, Mbiri, Abavo, Orogodo, Otolokpo, Igbodo, Ute-Okpu, Ute-Ogbeje, Idumuesah, Akumazi, Ekpon (Edo State), Igbanke/Igbon Akiri (Edo State), Oligie (Edo State), Inyelen (Edo State), Iru (Edo State). Other Ika communities found in Edo State are Owanikeke, Ute Oheze, Ute Obagie N’Oheze, Owa-Riuzor Idu and Igbogili.
Location
Geographically, the Ika speaking people are found in the north west of Delta State. They share borders in the East with the Aniocha, in the south with the Ukwuani, in the north with the Ishan and in the west with the Edo. Politically, Ika speakers are mainly found in two local government areas, Ika North East and Ika South local government areas, both created in 1991 from a single Ika Local Government Area, in Delta State. Ika South and Ika North East local government areas, occupy a land area of 117.45 square kilometres (Delta State Government website, 1999) with a total population of about 240,000 people.
Language
Ika people speak the Ika language, a dialect that has more of Bini in it and also some Ibo soundalikes which the Ibos barely understand, this has been a mystery, however Ibo Merchants who migrated to Ika Land had some influence in this.
Religion
The Ika people are predominantly Christians. Some Ika people also practice their traditional worship called Omenana. Their traditional religious practices and cultural beliefs is referred as Odinani. Ika people refer to God as Osolobue or Ose.
Economy
The Ika (of Delta state) boast of being the home to the sweetest African palmwine. The people of Ika tribe are majorly Farmers and the wealthiest engage in Palm kernel business with red oil extraction or other forms such as palm wine tapping & Garri exports Ika people are also well know academias, business tycoons & civil servants, Ika People are of the most educated region in Delta State. Most indigenous Ika people can be found in all countries overseas & there is frequent influx of funds from indigene abroad back home for business investments, real estate & agriculture.
Culture
There are celebrations such as the New Yam festival "Iwa-igi" which are held for the harvesting of the yam. During the festival, yam is eaten throughout the communities as celebration. A festival is held to thank God for a successful ‘farming season’ and yam harvest. These festivities normally include a variety of entertainments and ceremony, including the performance of rites by the King, or the eldest man, and cultural dances by the Ika men, women, and their children. Usually at the beginning of the festival, the yams are offered to the gods and ancestors first before distributing them to the villagers. The ritual is performed either by the oldest man in the community or by the king or eminent title holder. This man also offers the yams to God, deities and ancestors by showing gratitude to God for his protection and kindness in leading them from lean periods to the time of bountiful harvest without deaths resulting from hunger. After the prayer of thanksgiving to God, they eat the first yam because It is believed that their position bestows the privilege of being intermediaries between their communities and the gods of the land. The rituals are meant to express the gratitude of the community to the gods for making the harvest possible, and they are widely followed despite more modern changes due to the influence of Christianity in the area. The colourful festival is a spectacle of exhibited joy, thanks, and community display. Palm oil is used to eat the yam. The ceremony of the festival varies, depending in which Ika region it takes place.
New Yam Festival of the Igbo
akumazi (ika) Otolokpo(ika) --IKA WORLD-- ika world- Agbor Iwa-igi Festival
Prominent Ika people
- David Ojei & Sunny Egede, Business Tycoons, Owners of the Prince Ebeano Supermarket Franchise
- Nduka Obaigbena, founder of ThisDay Newspapers, AriseTV/Network, Arise Fashion Show Lagos
- Jim Ovia, Nigerian business man ; founder of Zenith Bank
- Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
- Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Governor 2015-till date
- General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff 2021-till date
- Sunday Oliseh Ex Nigerian football player
- Dumebi Iyamah Owner of the “Andrea Iyamah” International Fashion Brand
- Somkele Iyamah Model, Movie Star, Director & Producer