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Nigeria
The Igbo language is one of Nigeria’s three major languages, primarily spoken by the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It belongs to the Niger-Congo language family and is part of the Volta-Niger subgroup. Igbo is a tonal language, where the tone of pronunciation can alter a word’s meaning. It is spoken by an estimated 25 to 30 million people, mainly in states like Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Imo, and Ebonyi. Additionally, Igbo is spoken in parts of Rivers, Delta, Benue, Edo, and Kogi states within Nigeria.
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Diaspora Communities in Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Cameroon
The Igbo community in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, is one of the largest Nigerian diaspora communities. Igbo migrants settled in Equatorial Guinea during the oil boom of the 1970s in search of economic opportunities. Today, the Igbo community is a vital part of the multicultural society of the country, with members involved in various fields like business and commerce.
In Gabon, Igbo migrants, having established themselves in cities like Libreville, contribute to the local economy through businesses and entrepreneurship.
Ghana and Cameroon are not left out, as Igbo migrants have sizeable communities in cities like Kumasi and Yaoundé where they are engaged in various segments of industry.
Cameroon is suspected to have a large Igbo diaspora community and Gambia also has a sizeable Igbo community. In these countries, Igbos organise cultural events, religious ceremonies, and community development initiatives, making sure to preserve the Igbo language and culture.
Igbo Presence in North America
Igbo people have had a longstanding presence in North America since the era of the transatlantic slave trade. Many Igbo individuals were forcibly brought to the Americas as enslaved people, contributing to the spread of the Igbo language. Today, traces of Igbo influence can be found in Jamaican patois and Bajan creole.
A significant number of Igbo people, who are direct descendants of Igbo migrants, now reside in the United States and Canada, with communities spread across numerous states. Cities such as Edmonton in Canada, and Houston, Texas, the DMV area, and Atlanta, Georgia, host particularly large Igbo-speaking communities. These communities have established cultural organisations such as Umu Igbo Unite, churches, and social networks to preserve Igbo identity and foster a strong sense of community and belonging.
Igbo Communities in Europe
Europe hosts a large Igbo diaspora, particularly in the United Kingdom, where over 100,000* people of Igbo descent reside primarily in cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham. London, in particular, has a vibrant Igbo community with numerous cultural associations, churches, and businesses owned and operated by Igbo migrants, where Igbo is commonly spoken. According to the 2021 UK census, over 11,000 people reported Igbo as their first language.
Other European countries, including Ireland, Germany, Italy, and Sweden, also have established Igbo communities, although smaller compared to the UK. For instance, Estonia has slightly over 150 Igbo-speaking individuals. Additionally, Igbo cultural festivals, such as the annual New Yam Festival, are celebrated in these diaspora communities, fostering cultural exchange and solidarity. It is clear that the Igbo language, originally native to southeastern Nigeria, has become widespread and is progressing towards global recognition.
*Estimated by Okwu ID based on the UK census data.
Written by Ifeanyichukwu Ubakamma, Edited by Chisom Akuakonam
References
- Eberhard, David M., Gary F. Simons, and Charles D. Fennig (eds.). 2024. Ethnologue: Languages of the World. Twenty-seventh edition. Dallas, Texas: SIL International.
- “World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples – : Overview”. UNHCR. 20 May 2008. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- Cassidy, Frederic Gomes; Le Page, Robert Brock (2002). A Dictionary of Jamaican English (2nd ed.). University of the West Indies Press. p. 168. ISBN 976-640-127-6. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
- Allsopp, Richard; Jeannette Allsopp (2003). Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage. Contributor Richard Allsopp. University of the West Indies Press. p. 101. ISBN 976-640-145-4. Retrieved 24 November 2008.