![]() Isoko girl | |
Total population | |
---|---|
1,000,000[1] () | |
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.[2] They are people of southern Nigeria, near the northwestern Niger delta.[3] 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[4] which is also very linguistically similar to the Urhobo language, Epie-Atissa language, Engenni language. James W. Welch asserted erroneously that Isoko language cluster is a dialect of Urhobo language.[5]
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.[4] This name was strongly rejected by both tribes.[6][7]
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.[8]