Igala
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- The Brazilian-designed Volkswagen Brasilia was sold in Nigeria as the Igala. The name of the car was derived from the Yoruba word for antelope "ìgalà" and has no connection with the Igala ethnic group.
 Igala territory in Nigeria |
| Total population |
|---|
| 2 million |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Nigeria |
| Related ethnic groups |
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 of the river Niger and Benue confluence and astride the Niger in Lokoja. The area 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 also be found in Delta, Anambra and Edo States of Nigeria. The Igala language is part of the Kwa sub group 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 Igalas are ruled by a king called the Attah. One of the most revered Attahs of the Igala kingdom is Attah Ameh Oboni. The present Attah is his highness, Attah Aliyu Ocheja Obaje.
[edit] References
- Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International.
[edit] External links
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