IGBO MADE EASY

Ndewo! Aham bụ Orji Onyebuch Innocent. Hello my name is Orji Onyebuch Innocent. I am glad that you want to learn Igbo language. This is a concise and straight to the point course that will help you speak, write and read Igbo language in the shortest time.  Igbo language is fun, simple and easy to learn whether as a first or second leaner. Knowing Igbo language will open numerous doors of opportunities for you.

Do you know that Nigeria is the most populated black nation on earth with an estimated population of 250million or more people?

Out of this huge population figure, the Igbos are considered to be one of the largest ethnic groups. They consist of one of the three major tribes in Nigeria and can be found in all parts of Nigeria and all the nations of the world as well. It has been said that there is no part of the world that an Igbo man cannot be found.

The Igbos speak Igbo Language and are mostly dark in complexion.

They are creative, industrious, and enterprising. Due to their love for entrepreneurship, the Igbos are very rich, hospitable and welcoming.

Like the Jews, the Igbos are blessed with the capacity to run small, medium, big and multi billion investments. Basically, they dominate almost all the markets and economic corridors of Nigeria. Little wonder why they are frequently looked upon as the live wire of the nation.

Knowing to Igbo language will give you unlimited access to progress, prosperity, happiness, and above all it will offer you the golden opportunity to meet, interact, and transact unlimited businesses with the Igbos and as well enjoy the Igbo rich culture.

IGBO ALPHABET (ABIDII IGBO)

IGBO LANGUAGE (ASUSU IGBO)

Language is mainly composed of letters which stands for signs or sounds. The letters in a language are totally treated as the alphabets of the language. The Igbo language is among ‘kwa’ sub family of Niger-Congo family of languages that uses pitch in differentiating the meaning that have the same spelling. The differentiation is known as tone, thus Igbo is a tonal language. Within the Igbo language there are various dialects like Onitsha, Owerri, Ikwere and Ngwaa. No matter the extent of evaluation in each dialect, indigenes from each area understand each other when speaking or conversing. But in written Igbo today, the standard of central Igbo (Igbo Izugbe) set on by Dr S.C. onwu and his committee in 1961 is being used. It is not from any particular dialect of any part of Igbo land rather a selected and acceptable mixture of all.

IGBO ORTHOGRAPHY (ABIIDI IGBO)

Orthography is an alphabet used when writing in Igbo language. In Igbo language, as in other languages, orthography is very important for learning and writing. Onwu committee formed the Igbo alphabets in the year 1961and it is known as Onwu orthography.

There are thirty six (36) letters in the Igbo alphabet. They are;

CAPITAL LETTER (NDI UKWU)

A, B, CH, D, E, F, G, GB, GH, GW, H, I, Ị, J, K, KP, KW, L, M, N, Ñ, NW, NY, O, Ọ, P, R, S, SH, T, U, Ụ, V, W, Y, Z.

SMALL LETTERS (NDI OBERE)

a, b, ch, d, e, f, g, gb, gh, gw, h, i, ị, j, k, kp, kw, l, m, n, n̄, nw, ny, o, ọ, p, r, s, ,sh, t, u, ụ, v, w, y, z.

NNWALE (Test)

1. Which of these is not a dialect of Igbo language? (a) Onicha (b) Olu (c) Edo (d) Ngwa

2. Which Igbo is used in writing Igbo today? (a) Ika Igbo (b) Onicha Igbo (c) Igbo ukwu (d) Igbo Izugbe

3. How many letters are in Igbo language? (a) thirty (b)ten (c) thirty six (d) twenty

4. What is the alphabet called in Igbo language? (a) Abiidi (b) Abeedi (c) Abed (d) Abc Onwu committee formed the Igbo alphabets in the year? (a) 1820 (b)1961 (c) 1916 (d) 2000 5. Igbo alphabets divided into? (a) 8 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d)2

ỤDAUME IGBO (IGBO VOWEL)

The Igbo vowels sound are eight (asatọ) in number.

They are: A E I Ị O Ọ U Ụ (a e ị i o ọ u ụ)

Igbo vowel sounds are grouped into two:

i. OTU A (GROUP A)

ii. OTU E (GROUP E)

The vowel sounds in group “A” are called light vowels (ụda mfe). They include: A Ị Ọ Ụ (a ị ọ ụ) while the vowel sounds in group “E” are called heavy vowels (ụda Arọ). They include: E I O U (e i o u)

When the vowels from the same group are used together in a word or sentence formation; it is called vowel harmony (Ndakọịtaụda).

Example:

Ọka............(corn)

Eju............(Snail)

Ụlọ............(house)

Ule............(examination)

Mmiri..........(water)

Akwụkwọ........(book)

Azịza..........(broom)

Nnụnụ..........(Bird)

NNWALE

1. Which of the followings is not part of group A vowels (A) a (B) e (C) ọ (D) ụ

2. The vowels in group A are called (A) ụdaeke (B) ụdamfe (C) ụdaarọ (D) ụdaekele

3. What is vowel called in Igbo language? (A) Ndakọịtaụda (B) ụdaume (C) ekele (D) Asụsụ Igbo

WORD FORMATION (MMEBE MKPỤRỤOKWU IGBO)

Alphabet refers to a series of letters arranged in a specific order that are used for reading and writing a language. It is the best bedrock of every word.

Anybody forming one particular word or the other in Igbo must be careful in choosing his or her letters; otherwise he or she will end up choosing and combing the letters without forming a meaningful word.

Go back to the video on IGBO ALPHABETS and master all the letters.

FORMATION OF SIMPLE IGBO WORDS

A(a)

A + n + y + a Anya (eyes)

A + w + ọ Awọ (toad)

A + n + ụ Anụ (meat)

B(b)

B + i + a Bia (come)

B + e + e Bee (cut)

B + a + t + a Bata (come in)

CH(ch)

C + h + e + e.........Chee.....(think)

C + h + e + z + ọ......Chezọ...(forget)

D(d)

D + e + e.....Dee.....(write)

D + i + e.....Die.....(endure)

D + i​.....Di.........(husband)

E(e)

Elu..........(up)

Ego..........(money)

Ezi...........(pig)

F(f)

Fee...........(fly)

fie...........(tie)

fopụ..........(uproot)

G(g)

Gọọ..........(swear)

Gụọ .........(read)

GB(gb)

Gbaa.......(run)

Gbuo ......(kill)

GH(gh)

Ghụọ..............(pluck)

GW(gw)

Gwee​..............(grind)

Gwa ..............(tell)

H(h)

Hapu..............(leave)

Hichea............(clean)

I(i)

Ije..............(walk)

Ibe..............(to peel)

Igwe.....,(iron)

Ị(ị)

ịko............(sow)

ịba............(soak)

ịsha...........(crayfish)

ịnu............(drink)

J(j)

Ji..............(yam)

Jide............(hold)

Jụọ.............(ask)

K(k)

Kedu............(how)

Kee.............(divide) kere............(divided)

Kedo............(tie on)

KP(kp)

Kpee..............(report)

Kpuo..............(shave)

Kpue .............(cover)

KW(kw)

Kwaa​.............(push)

Kwe..............(agree)

Kwuru............(stand)

Kwụọ ............(say)

L(l)

Laa ..............(go home)

Lee.............. (look)

M(m)

Mmiri..............(water)

Mpi................(horn)

N(n)

Nna.............(father)

Nne.............(mother)

Ň(ń)

Ňụọ.............(drink)

Ny(ny)

Nye.............(give)

Nyara​...........(hang)

O(o)

Oke.............(rat)

Okpu............(cap)

Ọ(ọ)

Ọkụ.............(fire)

Ọgụ.............(hoe)

P(p)

Pụọ ...........(grow)

Puru...........(grew)

R(r)

Rụọ..............(work)

Rụtụ.............(touch)

S(s)

Sie..............(cook)

Sụrụ.............(pounded)

SH(sh)

Isha.............(crayfish)

T(t)

Tụọ..............(threw)

Taa .............(chew)

U(u)

Ube...............(pear)

Ụ(ụ)

Ụsu...............(bat)

W(w)

Were.............(take)

Wepụ..............(remove)

Y(y) Ya................(he/she/it)

Yiri..............(wear)

Z(z) zụọ...............(buy)

Zaa...............(sweep)

NNWALE (TEST)

1. What is the meaning of ‘isha’ in English language? (a) pear (b) crayfish (c) wear (d) go

2. What is the meaning of ‘ube in English language? (a) fish (b) yam (c) pear (d) goat

3. What is the name of this animal above in Igbo? (a) oke (b) ezi (c) nwa (d) oche

GREETINGS IN IGBO LANGUAGE

Greetings in Igbo are speech events, which as interactional encounters are very important indices of appropriate socialization, the measure and type of relationship existing between the interactants, as well as the means of ensuring the sustenance of the binding fabric that holds the community together. In Igbo culture, not greeting, or even greeting in culturally inappropriate ways, can lead a negative assesment of the person's character. Such a person is regarded as either 'proud' or 'not properly socialized'. Parts of the early socialization of the Igbo child consist of proper ways of greeting. The social variable of age, sex, and status dictates who initiates greetings. The younger (one) initiates a greeting with the older, the female with the male.

HOW TO GREET IN IGBO

i. Ekele ụtụtụ (Morning Greeting)

These are greetings the Igbo people say to one another in the morning hours before middle or noon. The greetings include:

Ekele (Greeting )

Azịza/Nzaghachị (response)

a.

ụtụtụ ọma (Good morning)

Oo. ụtụtụ ọma

(Ok/Alight. Goodmorning)

b.

ịbọọla chi (Have you seen a new day?)

E e. Abọọla m chi (Yes. I have seen a new day)

c.

Iputala ụra? Have you woken up? (Good morning)

E e. Aputalam ụra (Yes. I have woken up)

ii. Ekele Ehihie (Afternoon Greeting)

This is a type of greeting the Igbo people say from 12 noon till 3:59pm of the day.

ọmụmaatụ (example)

Ekele (Greeting )

Azịza/Nzaghachị (response)

a.

Ehihie ọma (Good afternoon)

Ooo Ehihie ọma (Ok/Aright. afternoon)

b.

Ndeewo (well done)

Ooo (Ok/Aright)

iii. Ekele Mgbede (Evening Greeting)

This is the type if greeting said by the Igbos between 4pm to 6:59pm

Ekele (Greeting )

Azịza/Nzaghachị (response)

a.

Mgbede ọma (Good Evening )

Ooo. Mgbede ọma (Ok/Aright. Evening)

b.

Ndeewo (well done)

Ooo (Ok/Aright)

iv. Ekele Abalị (Night Greeting)

This is night greeting among then Igbos

Ekele (Greeting )

Azịza/Nzaghachị (response)

a.

Abalị ọma (Good night)

Ooo. Abalị ọma (Ok/Aright. afternoon)

b.

Ka chi bọọ (until morning)

Ooo. Ka ọ bọọ

CHAPTER SEVEN IGBO NUMERALS

ỌNỤỌGỤGỤ IGBO (IGBO NUMERALS)

0 efu zero

1 ............................. otu

2 ............................ abụọ

3 ........................... atọ

4 ............................ anọ

5 ............................ ise

6 ........................... isii

7 ........................... asaa

8 ........................... asatọ

9 ........................... itoolu

10 ............................ iri

11 ........................... iri na otu

12 ............................ iri na abụọ

13 ........................... iri na atọ

14 ............................ iri na anọ

15 ........................... iri na ise

16 ............................ iri na isii

17 ........................... iri na asaa

18 ........................... iri na asatọ

19 ........................... iri na itoolu

20 ....................... iri abụọ

21 ……………………….. iri abụọ otu

30......................... iri atọ

40........................ iri anọ

50........................ iri ise

60....................... iri isii

70 ....................... iri asaa

80 ......................... iri asatọ

90.......................... iri itoolu

100........................ otu nari

20 iri abụọ twenty

30 iri atọ thirty

100 narị hundred

200 narị abụọ two hundred

300 narị atọ three hundred

1,000 otu puku one thousand

2,000 puku abụọ two thousand

1,000,000 otu nde one million

PARTS OF HUMAN BODY (AKỤkỤ AHỤ)

Isi .............................. head

Ihu .............................face

Ntụtụ isi ................... hairs

Imi .............................nose

Ntị ..............................ear

Ire .............................. tongue

Nti ............................. cheek

Ọnụ .......................... mouth

Egbugbere ọnụ ........ lips

Eze ........................... teeth

Anya ......................... eye

Nku anya ................. eyebrows

Mpupe anya ............. eyelashes

Agba.......................... jaw

Olu............................ neck

Ngụ.......................... shoulder

Obi............................ chest

Ara............................ breast

Aka ........................... hand

Nkuaka..................... elbow

Mkpịsịaka ................ fingers

Mbọ aka .................... fingernails

Afọ ............................ stomach

Otubo........................ navel

Ukwu......................... waist

Ike............................. buttocks

Ụkwụ........................ leg

Mkpịsịụkwụ............. toes

Apata ụkwụ.............. Lap

Ọbọ ụkwụ................. sole

Ikere- ụkwụ.............. knee

NNWALE (TEST)

1. What is this part of the body called? (A) aka (B) afọ (CH) anya (D) ụkwụ (E) anya

2. Identify this part of the body (A) imi (B) anya (CH) eze (D) olu (E) mkpisiaka 3. What is this Diagram? (A) ire (B) isi (CH) ụkwụ (D) afọ (E) ikpere

IGBO IDENTITY

SOME CHARATERISTICS OF THE IGBO PEOPLE (EJIRIMARA NDỊ IGBO)

Ejirimara Ndi Igbo I

Every tribe in the world has its characteristics tendencies and features by which is known for. The Igbo people have a lot of things they are known for. And those things remain their marks of identity. They included:

A. Language (Asụsụ)

Language as a matter of common knowledge is the medium of communication through which we express our emotions, ideas, feelings and thoughts to our fellow people.

The language of the Igbo people is Igbo. Thus, the word Igbo can be seen as both the name of the people and their language. Igbo language is part of the KWA sub-family of the Niger-Congo family of language. Igbo language is a tonal language. That is, tone is used to differentiate the meaning of two or more words that have the same spellings. Igbo is one of the official languages in Nigeria. It is taught in Nigeria schools at all levels. Although, there are different dialects within the Igbo language, there is still mutual understanding with one another when talking. But in writing, there is more standardized way which is called “Igbo Izugbe” (standard Igbo) that is used. This standard form of writing became operational in 1961, as set down by Dr. S.E. Ọnwụ and his committee.

B. Ejiji (Attire)

Attire simple means clothing. Clothing on its own is a material worn on the body. Hence, the Igbo attires are those dressing styles that the Igbo people, both men and women put on which make them unique. This Igbo attire is seasonal as they are meant for different occasions and purposes. There are attires for men, titled persons; like Eze, Nze, ọzọ, Ichie, Chief and Lọọlọ: they also have for dancers (ndị na-agba egwu), wrestlers (ndị na-agba mgba) e.t.c

Men’s Attire

Okpu..........(cap)

Trụọza........(trouser)

ọla aka.......(bangle)

uweukwu/nịka..(short/knicker)

Akwa ọmụma........(wrapper [one])

Uwe imeahụ.......(singlet)

Akpụkpụụkwu......(shoes)

Akupe............(hand fan)

Abụbaugo.........(Eagle’s feather)

Mkpara...........(staff/walking stick)

Uwe ahụ..........(shirt)

Ọlaolu...........(necklace/beads)

Among the Igbos, the men tie one wrapper, wear beads on the neck, cap with eagle feather on it and hold a walking stick. Some men do put round black/red cap, or long red and black strap with George wrapper.

Women’s Attire

Ịchafu...........................(scarf/head tie)

Ọlantị............(earing)

Ọlaolu............(necklace)

Ọlaaka............(bangle)

Uwe ngụ...........(blouse)

Uwe nnwụda........(gown) Akwa

Ọmụma........(wrapper[two])

Akpụkpụụkwu.......(shoes)

Akpa..............(bag)

Ọbante/dụrọọsụ....(pant)

Uweara............(brassiere)

Uwennwụdaime......(under/inner wear)

B. Erimeri/Nri (Food)

B.

Another thing the Igbo people are known for is their type of food. They generally like solid food like eba (garri), akpụ (cassava), which is their stable food. It is staple food because it makes them to work longer.

These are the major foods for the Igbos

Akpụ...........(cassava)

Eba/garị.......(garri)

Ji............ (yam)

Ede........... (coco yam)

Agwa...........(beans)

Akịdị..........(red beans)

Unere..........(banana)

Ogede/abịrịka..(plaintain)

ụgba...........(oil bean)

ụkwa...........(bread fruit)

Osikapa/iresi..(rice)

Ọka............(maize)

Akwụkwọnri.....(vegetable) Ofe............(soup)

D Ekele (Greeting)

Greetings in Igbo are speech events, which as interactional encounters are very important indices of appropriate socialization, the measure and type of relationship existing between the interactants, as well as the means of ensuring the sustenance of the binding fabric that holds the community together. in Igbo culture, not greeting, or even greeting in culturally inappropriate ways, can lead a negative assesment of the person's character. Such a person is regarded as either 'proud' or 'not properly socialized'. Parts of the early socialization of the Igbo child consist of proper ways of greeting. The social variable of age, sex, and status dictates who initiates greetings, the younger initiates a greeting with the older, the female with the male.

The Igbo people do not prostrate or even kneel down when they are greeting. The also have various situational greetings. These greetings are based on time of the day, someone’s condition of health and what a person is doing at a particular point. Igbo people can greet in various forms like: orally, handshakes, embraces, using staff or walking stick, and traditional hand fan. The methodologies of greetings are determined by the ages of the people involved, the relationship between them and the type of occasion.

Ejirei Mara Ndị Igbo Ndị ọzọ (Other Characteristics of the Igbos

Akaọrụ (Occupation)

The Igbo people are also identified by the kind of work they do. They do all kind of work so as to make a living from them. That is why they are known to be energetic and hardworking.

Some of the works he Igbo people are known for are:

Ikwe akwa.......(cloth weaving)

ịkpụụzụ.........(smithery)

ịkpaekete.......(basket weaving)

ịkpụụrọ.........(pottery)

ịtụosisi/ihe....(woodcarving/carving)

ịtenkwụ ........(palm-wine tapping)

ịkpaute ........(mat making)

ọrụugbo..........(farming)

ịgbaakịrịka......(raffia weaving)

ịkụazu...........(fishing)

ichiụlọ..........(roofing)

Azụmahia ........(trading)

Erimeri/Nri (Food)

The Igbo people are known for is their type of food. They generally like solid food like eba (garri), akpụ (cassava), which is their stable food. It is staple food because it makes them to work longer.

These are the major foods for the Igbos

Akpụ (cassava)

Eba/garị (garri)

Ji (yam)

Ede (coco yam)

Agwa (beans)

Akịdị (red beans)

Unere (banana)

Ogede/abịrịka (plaintain)

ụgba (oil bean)

ụkwa (bread fruit)

Osikapa/iresi (rice

Ọka (maize)

Akwụkwọnri (vegetable)

Ofe (soup)

NAMES OF ANIMALS IN CENTRAL IGBO LANGUAGE (AHA ỤMỤANỤMANỤ N’ ASỤSỤ IGBO)

ANỤ ỤLỌ (DOMESTIC ANIMALS)

Guinea Fowl.....Ọgazị

Horse...........Ịnyịnya

Goat............Ewu Camel...........Ịnyịnya ibu

Guinea Pig .....Oke Bekee

Dog ............Nkita

Sheep ..........Atụrụ

Ram.............Ebule

Fowl.......Okuko (Male:OkeỌkpa.Female/Nnekwu)

Pig............Ezi

Rat ..........oke

Lizard .......Ngwere/Ngwele

Donkey........Jaki

Cow...........Ehi

Cat ..........Buusu/Nwamba

Turkey........Torotoro

Chicken ......Uriom Ọkụkọ

Duck..........Ọbọgwụ

Pigeon .......Nduru

ANỤ ỌHIA (WILD ANIMALS)

Ostrich.......Enyi Nnunu

Antelope......Mgbada

Deer..........Ele

Squirrel .....Ọsa

Hyena ........Nkita Ọhia

Lion..........Agụ

Leopard….. agu owuru

Tiger ......Ọdụm

Monkey.......Enwe

Chimpanzee ..Adaka

Gorilla......Ọzọdimgba

Snail........Ejile/Ejula

Snake .......Agwọ

Python.......Eke

Wall Gecko = Agụ ulo

Crocodile ...Agụiyi

Toad.........Awo

Frog.........Mbara

Tortoise.....Mbe

Vulture......ụdele

Eagle........ụgo

White Ant....Arụrụ

Black Ant....Agbisi

Mosquito.....Anwu Nta

Grasshopper.......ụkpala

Kite..............Egbe

Butterfly ........Ibuba

Cockroach.........Uchicha

House Fly ........Ijiji

Elephant..........Enyi

Cricket ..........Nte

Bed Bug...........Chinchi

Bee...............Añu

Crab..............Nshikọ

Bat ..............ụsụ

Millipede ........Esu/Alili

Centipede.........Ogbakuluu

Rabbit...............Ewii

Grasscutter..........Nchi

Owl..................Ikwikwi

Wood Pecker..........Ọtụ Kpokpo

Chameleon ...........Ugwumagala

Fox..................Nyanwuruede

Fish.................Azụ

African civet...,....Edi ụra

Taylor Ant ..........Akpolide

Iguana ..........Ngwere aghu

Tilapia .........Azụ asa

Eel..............Ebi Iyi

Crayfish.........Isha

Turtle ..........Mbe mmiri

Egret............Chekeleke

Dragon Fly.......Tatambeneke

Maggot...........Ikpuru

Buffalo..........Atụ

Wolf.............Agụ Owulu

Sparrow..........Nza

Parrot ..........Icheoku

Viper ...........Ajuala

Locusts .........Igwulube

Hog..............Ezi Ọhia

Bird ............Nnụnụ

NAMES OF FRUITS IN IGBO LANGUAGE (MKPỤRỤ OSISI)

Sour sop………………………………………Chọpụchọọpụ

Walnut…………………………………………Ụkpa

Cashew……………………………………..…Kashuu

Guava……………………………………..……Gova

Orange …………………………………..……Oroma

African Star apple/cherry………..……..ụdara

Avocado ……………………………………..…Ube oyibo/bekee

Plantain ……………………………………….. Ogede

Mango ………………………………………… Mangolo

Coconut…………………………….…………Akibekee

Banana………………………………..…………Unele

Pineapple………………………………….…Nkwụaba

Garden egg……………………………..…Anyara

Groundnut………………………………..…Apapa or ahụekele

Pawpaw ……………………………………ọkwụrụ oyibo

Pear …………………………………………..Ube

Velvet tamarin ………………………..…Icheku nkwa/Nchichi

COLOR TRANSLATIONS IN IGBO LANGUAGE

1. Black Oji

2. Blue Anụnụ

3. Brown Ụri

4. Green Ndụ-ndụ

5. Grey Ntụ-ntụ/Ọcha nzu

6. Orange Uhie-edo, oroma

7. Pink Uhie ọcha

8. Purple Ugo, ododo

9. Red Mme mme, ọbara ọbara

10. White Ọcha

11. Yellow Edo

12. Grey Ụcha nzu

13. Gold Ọlaedo

14. Silver Ọlaọcha