The Yoruba people found in Kogi State are collectively called “Okun”. These people were called Yoruba until a researcher known as Eva Kraft-Askari in 1965 suggested, during a field expedition, that they be called by the general name of Okun, meaning vitality or strength.
The Okun people speak varied Yoruba dialects with strong historical and linguistic affinity. Besides their peculiar Okun dialects, these people also collectively speak the general Yoruba language.
The major Okun-Yoruba dialects are; Owe, Yagba, Ijumu, Gbede, Bunu, Ikiri and Oworo.
The Okun people are classified as North East Yoruba (NEY). They form the boundary between Yoruba Land and its neighbours in the North-East axis of Yoruba Land cohabiting side by side with the Nupes, Gbagyis, Bassas and Ebiras.
In Kogi, Okun-Yoruba dialects are spoken in 6 Local Government Areas, namely; Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Yagba East, Yagba West, MopaMuro and Lokoja LGAs.
The Okun people constitute about 20% of the entire Kogi State population.
Kabba is the historic headquarters of Okun Land, and the Monarch, Obaro of Kabba is the Chairman, Okun Tradition Council.
– Enefola Victor Levi
enefolalevi@gmail.com
