 Isoko girl | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 300,000 + [1][2] () | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Isoko region (Nigeria) | |
| Languages | |
| Isoko | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity and Traditional African religions | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Urhobo, Bini, Esan, Afemai |
Isoko people are an ethnolinguistic group who inhabit the Isoko region of Delta State and Bayelsa State, Nigeria.[3] They are people of southern Nigeria, near the northwestern Niger delta.[4] Delta State and Bayelsa State are part of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Isokos speak the Isoko language, a language of the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo family[5] which is also very linguistically similar to the Urhobo language, Epie-Atissa language, Engenni language. James W. Welch asserted thatthe Isoko language is a dialect of Urhobo language.[6]
The Isoko culture is related to several cultures in the Niger-Delta - namely, Urhobo, Ijaw and Anioma.[1] Urhobo are related in language and culture, leading to the invaders erroneously labelling the Urhobo and Isoko cultural groups as Sobo.[5] This name was strongly rejected by both tribes.[7][8]
The Isoko ethnic group consist of nineteen clans ,namely: Uzere, Ozoro, Erowha, Owhe, Iyede, Okpe, Emede, Igbide, Emevor, Ofagbe, Ellu, Oyede, Umeh, Irri, Aviara, Olomoro, Enwhe, Okpolo and Oleh.[9]
