Idomoid · Nigeria’s peoples
Yala
The Yala are the largest people of Yala LGA in northern Cross River State, with headquarters at Okpoma, and trace their ancestry to the Idoma of Benue.
At a glance
- Where do the Yala people live?
- Their homeland is in Yala in Cross River State, across 1 local government area.
- What language do the Yala speak?
- Yala, a language of the Idomoid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Idomoid).
Overview
The Yala are the largest people of Yala LGA in northern Cross River State, with headquarters at Okpoma, and trace their ancestry to the Idoma of Benue. The Yache, also of Idoma origin, live around Ijiegu and Uchu.[2],[3],[1]High confidence
Where the Yala live
Local government areas by state. Homeland: the group is the majority. Shared area: a large share of a mixed area. Smaller presence: present, but a small share.
Cross River
- Yala(Homeland)
- Obubra(Smaller presence)
Areas are approximate and show where people live. They are not claims of land ownership.
Communities beyond the homeland
Okpoma
Yala, Cross River State: Okuku, Yahe, Ugaga, Ijegu, Oloko-Ogwope, Imaje, Echumoga, Woda, Itekpa, Wonye, Uchu, Osina.[4]Medium confidence
Headquarters of Yala LGA. The Yala are close kin of the Idoma and can understand their speech; tradition says they left Benue in search of salt and stayed when they found it in abundance here. Okpoma's salt ponds are still worked and of great historical importance.[4]
Salt making from the Okpoma ponds, and farming.[4]
Language
Yala, a language of the Idomoid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Idomoid).[1]High confidence
Sources
Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).