Igala
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, Edo, Enugu and Anambra State 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.
*Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International.
*[http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1999/1/8/article_01.htm "Facial MarksNigeria's Fading 'Identity Card'"], from
Awake! magazine (January 8, 1999)
*
Rosetta Project entry*
Ethnologue entry*
Joshua Project entry
