Unveiling Esan: Nigeria's Hidden Language
Discover the rich history and cultural significance of the Esan language, spoken in Edo State, Nigeria. Explore its unique linguistic features and vibrant community.
Say "hello" in Esan
Men say "khara" for hello or greeting, to either men or women
and women say "aijesan" to either men or women.
Tap to explore
Esan: Spelling Variations
The Esan language, primarily spoken in Edo State, Nigeria, is also spelled "Ishan." This variation reflects diverse spellings and regional nuances.
Esan is a Niger-Congo language spoken by the Esan people who are pedominantly found in Edo State.
Esan has several dialects including:
* Central Esan: Spoken in the Uromi and Irrua areas
* Northern Esan: Spoken in the Uzea and Ugboha areas.
* Southern Esan: Spoken in the Ewu and Ewatto areas
Untitled (2009) by Chief Bob AiweriobaOriginal Source: African Artists Foundation
Esan Speakers: A Large Community
Approximately 500,000 people speak Esan, a Niger-Congo language primarily in Edo State, Nigeria. This significant number highlights the language's vibrant presence.
Esan's Tonal Nature
Esan, a Niger-Congo language, uses tones to distinguish meaning, a feature shared with many related languages. This tonal quality adds depth and complexity to its spoken form. It's influenced by neighboring Edo.
Esan's Many Voices
With dialects like Ogwa, Ekpoma, and Uromi, Esan's diverse linguistic landscape reflects its rich cultural heritage in Edo State. It has other dialects like Ebhossa, Ewohimi, Ewu, Ewatto, Ebelle, Igueben, Irrua, Ohordua, Uzea, Ubiaja, and Ugboha.
Grace Gigi, Kelim Olenloa and Itua Braimah Odia contributed to this story.
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