Igala

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Igala are an ethnic group of Nigeria. Igala practice a number of different religions, including animism, Christianity, and Islam.

The home of the Igala people is situated east side of the river Niger and Benue confluence and astride the Niger to form the confluence in Lokoja.

Igala land is approximately between latitude 6°30 and 8°40 north and longitude 6°30 and 7°40 east and covers an area of about 13,665 square kilometers” (Oguagha P.A 1981) the Igala population is estimated at two million, they are the major ethnic group in present Kogi State but can be found in Delta and Edo States of Nigeria. They are Africans belonging to the Kwa sub groups of the Niger Congo language family.

In Igala tradition, infants receive three deep horizontal cuts on each side of the face, slightly above the corners of their mouths, as a way of identifying each other. However, this practice is becoming less common.

The Brazilian-designed Volkswagen Brasilia was sold in Nigeria as the Igala.

[edit] References

Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International.

Major towns in Igala land include Ankpa, Idah(the traditional home town of the Igalas), Anyigba(popularly called Ayangba by the elites), Dekina, Abejukolo, Ugwolawo and of course all the other Local government and District headquarters (which are too many to mention).

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND DISTRICTS IN IGALA LAND:

ANKPA LOCAL GOVT. Ankpa Local government is one of the oldest local govt in the Igala land. Created in 1979 alongside Dekina and Idah Area, The old Ankpa Local have been divided into Three large local gonts. These are Ankpa, Olamaboro and Omala Local Govts. Despite the Divission however, the present Ankpa local Govt is still a very large local govt with towns like Inye, Enjema,Ogede Ajiekpe, Ojoku etc.

ADAVI LOCAL GOVT.