Hello Everyone, a new writing system for Igbo has been in development over at the nsibiri blog: http://nsibiri..co.uk There are two parts to the system a logographic symbols called nsibiri and an alphabet called akagu.

The image below is a sample diary written in the nsibiri-akagu Igbo writing system on March 2015.

First two lessons:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAiCeaPwa3Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KIDfcqtf-k

There are also shirts in the writing system available @ http://owu.bigcartel.com like the one below:

This is the nsibiri symbol for love:

Akagu is now in type.

odensibiri:
Akagu is now in type.

Two questions:
1. Where is the downloadable for the type?
2. How exactly was this encoded?

odensibiri:
Akagu is now in type.

how do I get the Akagu typing interface, appstore? And is nsibidi in type yet?

[size=15pt]FURTHER INTRODUCTION TO THE IGBO WRITING SYSTEM[/size]

I have somewhat of a love-hate relationship with the Igbo writing system. The thing is:

The Igbo writing system is the most difficult part of learning Igbo.

And yet…

The Igbo writing system is the most fascinating part of learning Igbo.



It’s one of the first things you’ll ever study and one of the last things you’ll ever master. But don’t get intimidated. I can hardly study Igbo for an hour without learning something about language–the key to uniquely human thought–that seems at once perfectly obvious and absurd.

And often such an instance is sparked, for me, through the study of Igbo writing… Nsibidi, in particular.

It’ll take a while to be a pro-rockstar-nsibidi chief, but discipline and work will get you to where you need to be. And, luckily, it’s pretty easy to get started.


[size=15pt]The Two Kinds of Characters[/size]

Igbo characters are written on a page horizontally, from left to right, like English.

There are two kinds of Igbo characters:

Akagu
Nsibidi (In-see-bi-di)

Both of them are used together in sentences and It’s usually pretty obvious when to use which one. In the poem below the Akagu are the least elaborate characters while the Nsibidi are much more elaborate. Come back after reading the Akagu intro to see if you can identify them.


[img]http://1.bp..com/-sJob8eyBfMg/UZfNR-SmrXI/AAAAAAAABKI/93UyMSoVL3c/s1600/Nnena.png[/img]

[size=15pt]Akagu[/size]

Akagu is not hard to learn. It is used to represent the sound syllables that make up the Igbo language. So, for instance, ‘gb’ in Akagu would be Ω.
The Akagu syllabary (alphabets) has 51 basic characters (sounds). It is usually used to represent Igbo words and grammatical elements (e.g. particles), as well as words of foreign origin. So, for example, ndo, which means “sorry,” can be written in Akagu using the Akagu alphabets for n + d + o. Also, a word like websait, which means (get this) “web site,” would also be written in Akagu.

Often these loan words will just be English words with an Igbo pronunciation, like the example just shown. The cool thing about this is that once you learn Akagu, you more or less will have learned to read hundreds of words in Igbo. This is why Akagu is a great syllabary to learn if you’re just going to Eastern Nigeria for a short trip. It will come in handy, I promise.

Now, for your perusal, here is the complete list of the Akagu characters:



[size=15pt]Nsibidi[/size]

Before I even start, I gotta say: If you want to learn Igbo, then learn Nsibidi. It will seem impossible (it’s not). It will seem negligible (it’s not). You’ll meet people who are downright awesome at speaking Igbo that absolutely suck at Nsibidi. Don’t be tempted!

I am, of course, talking to people who are in this for the long haul. If you’re going to Eastern Nigeria in a month and just want to have some conversations with Igbo people, then forget Nsibidi. But if you want to read Igbo newspapers and books, to understand random stuff that's advertised in bright colors on streets, if you want to see a new, difficult word and already know what it means (though you might not know how to pronounce it), if you want to get a job, if you want to do anything that involves Igbo professionally, then start learning Nsibidi now.

It will be really, really hard. And I’m sorry for that. But as long as we keep moving forward, we can learn just about anything we want. The trick is to study “every day every day” –> “day in, day out”.

That aside, let’s talk about Nsibidi.


[size=15pt]The Purpose of Nsibidi[/size]

Long story short, the Nsibidi come from the Ejagham people of Cross River state. They are, technically, Ejagham characters that the Igbo adopted a long time ago in order to write their language.

Nsibidi represent meaning (unlike Akagu) and sound (like Akagu). Worry about their meaning first and their sound second (though you should learn both simultaneously).

[img]http://3.bp..com/-uMuC5G27XiM/TXVBsZmCvEI/AAAAAAAAAQc/yhHm6QpnPC0/s400/Dike.png[/img]
Fig 1

For instance, it’s more important to know that the character to the left in Fig 1 - the one that resembles a backward p, or if you look closely, resembles a mountain on it's side with an opening that needs guarding - means guard than it is to know that it is pronounced “nnche.” Still, ideally, you should know both of these things. Then, when you see the word shown in Fig1 (“guard” + “sword”), it won’t be too much of a stretch to find out that it means “warrior.”

This might seem not all that important, but the formation of words using different nsibidi, to me, is super fascinating! Sometimes, you get a little bit of a glimpse as to how we humans see the world, all through something as simple as understanding a warrior to be a guard and his sword. More insights will follow, but I’ll leave them for you to look forward to.

[size=15pt]Learning Nsibidi[/size]

Igbo people are expected to learn around 1,400 nsibidi by the time they finish JSS3. These are the characters you’ll be expected to learn if you want to enter a university, pass the Igbo tests, and read most of books, magazines, and school textbooks.

Some are simple (1-3 strokes); some are complicated (20+ strokes!); some are pictographic; some are symbolic. We will learn them all!

Now, I’m sorry to do this, but here is a chart of most of the Nsibidi you’ll need to learn to be considered chief-Eze:

Nsibidi chart
[img]http://3.bp..com/-k_hAzNCbJ2s/UyyXV-fQmSI/AAAAAAAABMI/0QYjicO_KCM/s1600/Ule+Nsibidi.png[/img]

Learning Nsibidi is a whole crazy task that you should start tackling right now.

Your Character Study Plan
Basically, I would stop everything right now and learn Akagu as soon as possible (less than a week, but ideally in 2-3 days). Gin claims that in this book he can teach you them in 3 hours each:

https://www.scribd.com/doc/117116336/Mu-ta-Akag%E1%BB%A5-Brief-for-the-Akagu-Alphabet

Then you can work on Nsibidi. Don’t forget, you are awesome. You are awesome. You are awesome. You are awesome.


cc:
Fulaman198, odumchi, bigfrancis21, lalasticlala




modified from http://nihongoshark.com/the-japanese-writing-system/ to explain how the writing system will be used

That is not a new writing system. This is a modification of Nsibidi which is an ancient script of the southeast:
https://www.nairaland.com/189030/african-script
https://www.nairaland.com/973985/nsibiri-pre-colonial-writing-south-eastern
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nsibidi

Even the blog you got those posts and pictures from states this.

.

ChinenyeN:


Two questions:
1. Where is the downloadable for the type?
2. How exactly was this encoded?

The type is just a demo font face for Latin.

AfricanGod2:


how do I get the Akagu typing interface, appstore? And is nsibidi in type yet?

The typing is in an akagu demo fontface for latin. To get the characters into unicode there has to be widespread publishing in the script.

I would eventually like to open a unicode proposal for nsibiri and akagu, but there needs to be wide spread use as that is one of the evidences needed to meet the criteria: http://www.unicode.org/pending/proposals.html

odensibiri:


The typing is in an akagu demo fontface for latin. To get the characters into unicode there has to be widespread publishing in the script.

This was going to be the focus of my follow-up question. Anyway, this essentially means that Akagu sits in the private-use area. That's still progress. Is the character set downloadable?

@odensibiri The system hasn't been officially launched, it's inventor hasn't begun teaching it, and it still seems to be in development so a unicode encoding seems a long way off. Being optimistic, let's say after it is launched it takes the same time to get as many users as Mwangwego (launched in 2003) now has. Using that time frame, it may be another 10 to 15 years before anyone can make a successful proposal.

*modified*
Do you know when and how this script is going to be launched?

ChinenyeN:


This was going to be the focus of my follow-up question. Anyway, this essentially means that Akagu sits in the private-use area. That's still progress. Is the character set downloadable?

The vectorised character set can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6nhxvartf1xv6g6/Akagu%20zuru.svg?dl=0
And nsibiri: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9z4stgr19i7ga0h/Ule%20Nsibidi.svg?dl=0

Yes, the script will have to build up moment which I believe is happening. There's interest there, the main focus of the project has always been on people in Nigeria who use Igbo daily because they either have to or that's all they really have (apart from pigeon), rather than the diaspora interest that's happening now. The reason why it's taking time is because I'm not in Nigeria right now.

AfricanGod2:
@odensibiri The system hasn't been officially launched, it's inventor hasn't begun teaching it, and it still seems to be in development so a unicode encoding seems a long way off. Being optimistic, let's say after it is launched it takes the same time to get as many users as Mwangwego (launched in 2003) now has. Using that time frame, it may be another 10 to 15 years before anyone can make a successful proposal.
*modified*
Do you know when and how this script is going to be launched?

The project was put out in the open for others to contribute. The script is already launched in my opinion, it's supposed to be viewed as a continuity with nsibidi anyway. I believe the time scale of the project all depends on how the script would be received on ground in south eastern Nigeria and not just people say 'hmm, that's interesting' but actually engaging it and I think that would be achieved by proving how writing and reading Igbo would be better in this script especially for lengthy reading (not just Engligbo mobile texts). The rules are laid out as well, the remaining thing is editing the ikpo Nsibidi, and there are nsibiri character combinations that form specific words which would develop over time.

The main 'propaganda' I guess is with the aesthetic beauty of the characters and the heritage/nationalism behind it. Every time I write Igbo I stop and wish this project was on my system and widely understood because of various factors, so that's how I know this script is good.

I believe with nsibidi being popular among African scripts the unicodes process wouldn't take as long.

The full character table of nsibiri:

[img]http://3.bp..com/-k_hAzNCbJ2s/UyyXV-fQmSI/AAAAAAAABMI/0QYjicO_KCM/s1600/Ule+Nsibidi.png[/img]

Sample text:

Akagu alphabet, the greyed boxes contain sounds/characters with tones:

[img]http://1.bp..com/-71aqpuVrSks/TmLaTsVOVMI/AAAAAAAAAi0/UDfMzYcJGqw/s1600/Igbo%2Balphabet.jpg[/img]

I gave writing a shot after reading the material on your blog . The akagu certainly lends itself to writing but I haven't tried the Nsibiri which may be helped by an alphabetical list.
btw I can't speak Igbo.

And about the launch thing, yes in a way you've launched it, but you've not officially lauched it. An analogy would be launching a TV channel then afterwards holding an official event that's made public where the channel is introduced to the public. Something that usually involves performances and speeches, and also usually ends up published in a newspaper or two or more

Am very interested in this. I don't understand why we couldn't retain our writing system,the white man came and everything was cast away. Apart from Nsibidi,am meant to understand that similar writing systems existed in the past. @Op,thanks,i will certainly go through the sites. I think Akagu is less complex unlike Nsibidi.

AfricanGod2:
I gave writing a shot after reading the material on your blog . The akagu certainly lends itself to writing but I haven't tried the Nsibiri which may be helped by an alphabetical list.
btw I can't speak Igbo.

And about the launch thing, yes in a way you've launched it, but you've not officially lauched it. An analogy would be launching a TV channel then afterwards holding an official event that's made public where the channel is introduced to the public. Something that usually involves performances and speeches, and also usually ends up published in a newspaper or two or more

That looks great. I'm going to make a more detailed guide on akagu. I see what you mean by launch.

Ihuomadinihu:
Am very interested in this. I don't understand why we couldn't retain our writing system,the white man came and everything was cast away. Apart from Nsibidi,am meant to understand that similar writing systems existed in the past. @Op,thanks,i will certainly go through the sites. I think Akagu is less complex unlike Nsibidi.

Yes, akagu is an alphabet, while nsibiri is a set of 1400 characters.

odensibiri:

Yes, akagu is an alphabet, while nsibiri is a set of 1400 characters.

Ok. In that case,Akagu is modelled after English?

Odensibiri how would one write 1 - 100, and what's 200, 500, 600, 700...1000 1000 000, 1 000 000 000

Organizations like this http://nsibidiinstitute.org/about/our-vision/ , the ministries of culture and education of the Seastern states and that of the FG, and Lagos; the AU: http://www.acalan.org/eng/about_acalan/about_acalan.php, SPILC, Ohanaeze, http://www.worldigbocongress.com/, Nairaland, the art associations and literary foundations of Nigeria, writers like Wole Shoyinka and Chimamanda, university professors, and the numerous Igbo unions accross the country and the world. If Nsibidi is as good as you say it is, then by the time you've exhausted this list you would have found a platform ready to fund the teaching of the new script to those who want to learn. It's hardly realistic to expect widespread learning or participation when the only platform available is a blog online, or when you're the only one teaching, so I wish you the best. In the meantime, I eagerly await your posts on NL.

Ihuomadinihu:

Ok. In that case,Akagu is modelled after English?

It's modelled on Igbo.

AfricanGod2:
Odensibiri how would one write 1 - 100, and what's 200, 500, 600, 700...1000 1000 000, 1 000 000 000

With the Hindu numbers since they are the most practical and virtually all writing systems use them including Arabic script and Chinese hanzi. There are nsibiri characters for some digits and the names of numbers, like a character for nnari or oguise (depending on your dialect).

AfricanGod2:
Organizations like this http://nsibidiinstitute.org/about/our-vision/ , the ministries of culture and education of the Seastern states and that of the FG, and Lagos; the AU: http://www.acalan.org/eng/about_acalan/about_acalan.php, SPILC, Ohanaeze, http://www.worldigbocongress.com/, Nairaland, the art associations and literary foundations of Nigeria, writers like Wole Shoyinka and Chimamanda, university professors, and the numerous Igbo unions accross the country and the world. If Nsibidi is as good as you say it is, then by the time you've exhausted this list you would have found a platform ready to fund the teaching of the new script to those who want to learn. It's hardly realistic to expect widespread learning or participation when the only platform available is a blog online, or when you're the only one teaching, so I wish you the best. In the meantime, I eagerly await your posts on NL.

I think those will come about if I was a position to go 100% on the project. If the SPILC were active (I'm not sure they have headquarters or are still active) and relevant, of course I would have got in touch, but I've found there's little 'regulation' of the Igbo language out of WAEC if at all. Right now I'm okay with slowly building up an audience who are at least interested.

odensibiri:

I think those will come about if I was a position to go 100% on the project. If the SPILC were active (I'm not sure they have headquarters or are still active) and relevant, of course I would have got in touch, but I've found there's little 'regulation' of the Igbo language out of WAEC if at all. Right now I'm okay with slowly building up an audience who are at least interested.

Sounds like a plan, and I guess you're right about SPILC. Right, so I tried finding a way to type with the svg downloads but i can't. How do you type using Nisibiri and Akagu?

odensibiri:
The vectorised character set can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6nhxvartf1xv6g6/Akagu%20zuru.svg?dl=0
And nsibiri: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9z4stgr19i7ga0h/Ule%20Nsibidi.svg?dl=0

Very nice. Thanks.

odensibiri:
Yes, the script will have to build up moment which I believe is happening. There's interest there, the main focus of the project has always been on people in Nigeria who use Igbo daily because they either have to or that's all they really have (apart from pigeon), rather than the diaspora interest that's happening now. The reason why it's taking time is because I'm not in Nigeria right now.

I truly am of the opinion that Nigerians back home will trivialize the effort. Maybe I'm wrong (and I would hope to be wrong), but I feel that your best audience would be diasporan Igbo and Cross Rivers peoples (youth in particular).

Nonetheless, I understand the importance of having this sink in and permeate back home.

AfricanGod2:


Sounds like a plan, and I guess you're right about SPILC. Right, so I tried finding a way to type with the svg downloads but i can't. How do you type using Nisibiri and Akagu?

At the moment I'm just using a Latin type face which is quite limited.

ChinenyeN:
I truly am of the opinion that Nigerians back home will trivialize the effort. Maybe I'm wrong (and I would hope to be wrong), but I feel that your best audience would be diasporan Igbo and Cross Rivers peoples (youth in particular).
Nonetheless, I understand the importance of having this sink in and permeate back home.

That's what I suspect. I think this project is radical enough to pique interests. I can see at as something younger kids may be interested in and if I can convey the benefits then it can slowly pick up as a way of communicating Igbo. I think the perception of the project also rests on me and my representation. Either way I think I can rely on the diaspora to fall back on.

odensibiri:
That's what I suspect. I think this project is radical enough to pique interests. I can see at as something younger kids may be interested in and if I can convey the benefits then it can slowly pick up as a way of communicating Igbo. I think the perception of the project also rests on me and my representation. Either way I think I can rely on the diaspora to fall back on.

This I believe is true. I also believe that you need not feel alone in this project. What you need is to simply disseminate it to your target audience. The most effective route for dissemination would be a series of original short films that will actively utilize Nsibidi and Akagu scripts as the written medium in the films and straight Igbo and/or Cross Rivers languages as the spoken medium (remember, most effective, not easiest ). Of course, there are other, easier (and more long-term) ways to go about it, but I'm partial to the short film option.

ChinenyeN:

I truly am of the opinion that Nigerians back home will trivialize the effort. Maybe I'm wrong (and I would hope to be wrong), but I feel that your best audience would be diasporan Igbo and Cross Rivers peoples (youth in particular).
Nonetheless, I understand the importance of having this sink in and permeate back home.

I think you're wrong about the emboldened, but about his best audience being in Cross River you're probably right. As for the audience in diaspora (which include people outside the East), there is only so much they can do if the targeted audience decides the idea is trivial. So I think engaging those at home will be the most important step.

Cross River in particular has a pretty well organized ministry of culture, while states like Anambra are keen on cultural revival (Obiano in particular is very keen on this); they should be approached. I think approaching them, the government, is one of the best ways to begin promoting the script.

Also, If they're on board then funding and promotion of Nisibidi using videos or whatever you think of becomes a non-issue. And I maybe wrong, but there aren't that many scripts still in use today that weren't helped by a government or an empire, so getting the support of the government and Nigerians back home, not in the diaspora, seems like the best way to go.

odensibiri:

At the moment I'm just using a Latin type face which is quite limited.

Can you explain how that works, or help me out with resources to learn how to implement it.