IJAW ETHNIC NATIONALITY
The Ijaws are a nation of more than twelve million people in the Niger Delta region. The Ijaws are the most populous indigenous inhabitants of the Niger Delta and constitute the fourth largest ethnicity within the borders of Nigeria.

Origin of the People

There is diversity in the spoken languages of the people of Ijaw Nation. Izon language comprises approximately 19 dialects, namely, Bumo, Tarakiri (East & West), Oporoma, Olodiama, Basan, Kabou, Tungbo, Gbarain, Ogboin, Ekpetiama, Kolokuma, Mein, Ekeremo, Apoi, Ibeni, Kumbo, Iduwini and Oyakiri. The inland Ijo language comprises of Biseni, Akita and Oruma; while Nembe-Akaha are the dialects of Nembe and Akaha.

The Iduwini speaking Ijaws of Ekeremo Local Government can be found along the coastline between the Forcados estuary in Delta State and the Pennington River in Bayelsa State. The Portuguese pilot Pereira attested to the existence of this Ijo tribe in 1508. According to Iduwini oral traditions, the town of Amatu in Bayelsa was the place out of which all other settlements originated. One will find bronze bells in the shrine of Suogbosu (Suo Egbesu) the national god of the Iduwini.

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