onuwaje:


Itsekiri is a dialect that evolved into a language

I might still be ignorant, but this “language” is still overwhelmingly Yoruba. Over yoruba dey worry am.

onuwaje:


what part of Yoruba is this

cos i know the number 1 as Okan

Either of the two. 1 Eni, ookan 2 meji, eeji 3 meta, eta

excanny:


I might still be ignorant, but this “language” is still overwhelmingly Yoruba. Over yoruba dey worry am.

the name Itsekiri came to existence around 1480. when the Benin Prince called Ginuwa left Benin to present day Itsekiri land (Warri Areas). as at that time what was made up of that area were Yoruba fishing settlements (like Omadino, Orugbo, Obodo etc)

Ginuwa died on his voyage because he was to establish a kingdom at the request of his father (Oba Olua) his son Ogbowuru was able to complete the voyage and arrived a place settlement. the person who welcomed them is named Itsekirimi. due to the kind gesture Ogbowuru proclaimed that his people shall be called his name (Itsekiri) and that his village shall also be called his name (Ode-Itsekiri)


so u see why i said Itsekiri is a dialect that evolved into a language?

I am not happy am not fluent in my own language. Anyway, I am glad the OP is fluent and spreading the gospel.

This seems to me to be Ijebu with a slight Niger-Delta twist. OP are there SIGNIFICANT differences between the Itshekiri spoken in the various Itshekiri communities Omadino, Orugbo, Obodo etc.?

ezeagu:
Olukunmi are in northern Delta state, in Ugbodu I believe.

https://www.nairaland.com/2278577/facts-yoruba-enclave-heart-aniocha

Hmm, I never knew this. Thanks. Will learn more about my state.

@OP nice thread, kudos

YungMillionaire:
I am not happy am not fluent in my own language. Anyway, I am glad the OP is fluent and spreading the gospel.

YungMill - you speak Yoruba right? So, learning Itshekiri would not be much of a stretch...

FisifunKododada:


That's not the issue. The issue is this: Is the language Olukunmi a Yoruba language or an Igbo language?

Don't mind the guy. Him wan use his katakata chestbeating to post nonsense.

Kila gbe ki lo ju?

AkinPhysicist:

YungMill - you speak Yoruba right? So, learning Itshekiri would not be much of a stretch...

But Akin I only understand Lagos Yoruba o! I speak the same Yoruba Igbos living in Lagos speak?

sissoko22:
I learnt before now that the Igala's has alot in common with the Yorubas, Itshekiri's and the Igara's in Edo state in spoken dialet.

Exactly, when most igara's speak, I understand fully what they say. My pop is essan n mom from imoga, akoko-edo n m married to an isoko man.

YungMillionaire:


But Akin I only understand Lagos Yoruba o! I speak the same Yoruba Igbos living in Lagos speak?

Lagos Yoruba is Oyo Yoruba. That's the standard Yoruba EVERY Yoruba person, Yoruba subgroups (Ekitis, Okun, etc) and foreigners in Yorubaland understands.

AkinPhysicist:
This seems to me to be Ijebu with a slight Niger-Delta twist. OP are there SIGNIFICANT differences between the Itshekiri spoken in the various Itshekiri communities Omadino, Orugbo, Obodo etc.?

Ijebu or Ilaje? I thought Ilajes are closer.

kn23h:

Don't mind the guy. Him wan use his katakata chestbeating to post nonsense.
Kila gbe ki lo ju?

Wa da won lo un. The intellectual dishonesty is outrageous.

FisifunKododada:


Wa da won lo un. The intellectual dishonesty is outrageous.

They feel they constantly need to compete with the Yorubas. What a sad life

kn23h:

Lagos Yoruba is Oyo Yoruba. That's the standard Yoruba EVERY Yoruba person, Yoruba subgroups (Ekitis, Okun, etc) and foreigners in Yorubaland understands.

My guy leave that talk o! I did Youth Service in IB and when some of those elders spoke, I didn't have the confidence to respond. But I agree the school children in Oyo speak Lagos-like Yoruba.

AkinPhysicist:
This seems to me to be Ijebu with a slight Niger-Delta twist. OP are there SIGNIFICANT differences between the Itshekiri spoken in the various Itshekiri communities Omadino, Orugbo, Obodo etc.?

the Itsekiri tribe is one of the few if not the only that has just one dialect.

YungMillionaire:

But Akin I only understand Lagos Yoruba o! I speak the same Yoruba Igbos living in Lagos speak?

You should be fine. Lagos Yoruba is still a decent template.

excanny:

Ijebu or Ilaje? I thought Ilajes are closer.

Maybe. But I can't say since I have no experience with Ilaje. However, I am quite fluent in Ijebu so I can see some striking similarities when you pronounce the words out loud.

YungMillionaire:

My guy leave that talk o! I did Youth Service in IB and when some of those elders spoke, I didn't have the confidence to respond. But I agree the school children in Oyo speak Lagos-like Yoruba.

What am I saying and what are you saying?

The Oyo dialect is not the Ibadan dialect FYI. The IB dialect is different from Oyo, Ekiti, Ijebu, Ijesha, Okun etc.

onuwaje:

the Itsekiri tribe is one of the few if not the only that has just one dialect.

So NO. Interesting. Thanks.

AkinPhysicist:

You should be fine. Lagos Yoruba is still a decent template.

Thanks bro. I will look into it.

kn23h:


What am I saying and what are you saying?

The Oyo dialect is not the Ibadan dialect FYI. The IB dialect is different from Oyo, Ekiti, Ijebu, Ijesha, Okun etc.

My guy this is news to me o! This is why I love NL - I learn something new everyday. Gbayi joor.

.

AkinPhysicist:

So NO. Interesting. Thanks.

Akin - you are one of the few honest guys on NL so I will ask you this question: How Yoruba do you think the Itshekiris are? And do you consider them members of the Oduduwa family?

FisifunKododada:


Akin - you are one of the few honest guys on NL so I will ask you this question: How Yoruba do you think the Itshekiris are? And do you consider them members of the Oduduwa family?

50% yoruba due to the Language

while the other 50% is due to the influence from the Benin and other tribal neighbours

YungMillionaire:


My guy this is news to me o! This is why I love NL - I learn something new everyday. Gbayi joor.

Anytime.

OAUTemitayo:
I know the numbers. So many words there are familiar with Yoruba so I understand them immediately.
I must learn Itsekiri.

If i may ask, why do you want to learn itshekiri language?

FisifunKododada:

Akin - you are one of the few honest guys on NL so I will ask you this question: How Yoruba do you think the Itshekiris are? And do you consider them members of the Oduduwa family?

Thanks for the confidence - Fisi. Here is my opinion:

Their language has an undeniable Yoruba template (based on what I have read and heard) but the people themselves culturally at some point decided to move away from their Ijebu etc. Yoruba culture and more towards a more Bini one. This is understandable since virtually every group (save Ijaw) in that region gets their cultural/political influence from their affinity to Bini. Outside of Ijaw, Bini is the biggest cultural influence in the Niger-Delta (used loosely). So, I can see how a smart Yoruba group surrounded by Bini influence would decide to assimilate culturally to the predominant culture in their new abode. But make no mistakes, many Itshekiris are still very aware of their Yoruba lineage and still respect it. Case in point - YungMill and his family.

Are they members of the Oduduwa family? By blood/lineage yes. In the current state of affairs nope.

AkinPhysicist:

Thanks for the confidence - Fisi. Here is my opinion:
Their language has an undeniable Yoruba template (based on what I have read and heard) but the people themselves culturally at some point decided to move away from their Ijebu etc. Yoruba culture and more towards a more Bini one. This is understandable since virtually every group (save Ijaw) in that region gets their cultural/political influence from their affinity to Bini. Outside of Ijaw, Bini is the biggest cultural influence in the Niger-Delta (used loosely). So, I can see how a smart Yoruba group surrounded by Bini influence would decide to assimilate culturally to the predominant culture in their new abode. But make no mistakes, many Itshekiris are still very aware of their Yoruba lineage and still respect it. Case in point - YungMill and his family.
Are they members of the Oduduwa family? By blood/lineage yes. In the current state of affairs nope.

Yes o! Anyone who thinks I will deny my Yoruba heritage must be smoking something. Some of the denial is politics. I have lived to long in Europe to give a fvck about politics. My grandpa's father told him a our ancestors migrated from present day Ogun State. That's why I will be visiting that state when I next visit Naija. I am an Itshekiri from Delta State but that will NEVER make me deny my Yoruba ancestors God forbid

Deedeedee3:

What message are you trying to pass? That Igalas are Yorubas or what? Please dont insult us here oo

Who is us? Je ki n mo ki n to da e lohun daaaaada.

YungMillionaire:


Yes o! Anyone who thinks I will deny my Yoruba heritage must be smoking something. Some of the denial is politics. I have lived to long in Europe to give a fvck about politics. My grandpa's father told him a our ancestors migrated from present day Ogun State. That's why I will be visiting that state when I next visit Naija. I am an Itshekiri from Delta State but that will NEVER make me deny my Yoruba ancestors God forbid