Ikwere

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A language of Nigeria

ISO 639-3
ikw
Alternate Names
Ikwerri, Ìwhnuruòhnà
Autonym
Ikwerre
User Population

651,000 (2020), increasing.

Location

Imo state: Ohaji-Egbema LGA; Rivers state: Emuoha, Ikwerre, Obio-Akpor, and Port Harcourt LGAs.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Igboid, Igbo
Dialects

Apani, Akpo-Mgbu-Tolu, Ogbakiri, Emowhua (Emohua), Ndele, Elele, Omerelu, Egbedna, Aluu, Igwuruta, Ibaa, Isiokpo, Omagwna (Omuegwna), Ubima, Ipo, Omudioga, Obio, Rumuji, Omuanwa.

Language Use

Home, work, community. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Igbo [ibo]. Also use English [eng].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 40%. Literacy rate in L2: 65%. Considerable local interest in language and literacy. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. TV. NT: 2010.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ikwere
Writing

Latin script [Latn], used since 1982.

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.