Over 40 million people speak the Igbo language. The Igbo people are primarily found in southeast Nigeria, but there are other Igbo-speaking countries. Before colonialism, the Igbos referred to themselves as “Ndi Igbo.” The language is classified under the Kwa subgroup of the Niger-Congo Language Family. Different dialects are well recognised and used in texts.
Checkout the Igbo-speaking countries apart from Nigeria below:
1. Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the West Indies close to North America and north of South America. Barbados combines Portuguese, British, Indian, and West African cultures. The people are officially called the Barbadians. The country has a nickname called “Bim,” which originated from the Igbo language “bi mu,” meaning “my people.” In Barbados, English is the official language, but they borrow words from West African languages, especially from Igbo.
Cuba is also an Island country and one of the Igbo-speaking countries. It is the third most populous country in the Caribbean after the Dominican Republic and Haiti. For centuries, different languages have been merged in Cuba to form cultural practices that can also be linked to Igbo ancestry. The Igbo language has a significant influence on Afro-Cuban religious practices, especially in Abakua society.
3. Jamaica
Jamaica is a country in the West Indies and Caribbean Sea. It is one of the largest Islands after Hispaniola and Cuba. Most Jamaicans are from mixed races, such as East Asian, Lebanese, Indian, European, and sub-Saharan African. The speaking of the Igbo language started during the Atlantic slave trade, where many Igbos were sent to the country, eventually influencing the Jamaican local culture. For instance, the Igbo word “unu, ” meaning “you,” is still used.
4. Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is a country in Central Africa. In this country, Igbo is a regional language spoken by over 40 thousand people. The Igbo people reside mainly in Bioko Island of Equatorial Guinea. The country is quite close to southeastern Nigeria, which makes it easy for the Igbos to migrate.
5. Cameroon
Cameroon is also in Central Africa and shares a border with Nigeria. Igbos started migrating to Cameroon in the 1920s. Initially, southeast Nigeria shared some parts with Cameroon before there was a final split in distinguishing territories. In Cameroon, the Igbo language is used as a lingua franca; it is just part of everyday vocabulary.
