Isoko people
Isoko people are an ethnolinguistic group who inhabit the Isoko region of Delta State and Bayelsa State, Nigeria. They are people of southern Nigeria, near the northwestern Niger delta. Delta State and Bayelsa State are part of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Isoko girl | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 300,000 () | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Isoko region (Nigeria) | |
| Languages | |
| Isoko | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity and Traditional African religions | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Urhobo, Bini, Esan, Afemai |
The Isokos speak the Isoko language, a language of the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo family 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.
The Isoko culture is related to several cultures in the Niger-Delta - namely, Urhobo, Ijaw and Anioma. Urhobo are related in language and culture, leading to the invaders erroneously labelling the Urhobo and Isoko cultural groups as Sobo. This name was strongly rejected by both tribes.
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.