By Okoi Obono-Obla
The Umon (Amon) people, located in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, speak the Umon (Amon) language, classified within the Upper Cross River languages of the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo family.
The Upper Cross River languages are a branch of the Niger-Congo family, predominantly spoken in southeastern Nigeria’s Cross River State. The two most populous and widely spoken languages in this branch are Mbembe and Lokaa, serving as major regional vernaculars.
This branch consists of roughly 20–30 individual languages, internally classified into smaller subgroups:
East–West Group
– Mbembe: Spoken primarily in Obubra LGA.
– Legbo (Agbo): Also known as Agbo, spoken in Abi LGA.
– Olulumo (Ikom): Spoken around Ikom LGA.
North–South Group
– Kohumono: Spoken in Abi LGA.
– Kukele: Spoken by the Ukele people in Yala LGA.
– Agwagwune: Spoken in Biase LGA.
– Ubaghara: Spoken across Biase LGA, with Biakpan as the most prominent dialect.
– Bakpinka: An endangered language historically spoken near Akamkpa LGA.
– Agoi: Spoken in Yakurr LGA.
On 3 June 2026, I wrote an article titled Echoes of Akpa: Language, Identity, and Colonial Legacy, based on a dialogue with Ellie Yari from Ogbia LGA in Bayelsa State. We discussed the affinity of the Ogbia people with the Yakurr and other groups in Cross River State.
The Ogbia belong to the Delta-Cross language group, itself a branch of the Cross River languages within Benue-Congo. Spoken primarily in southern Nigeria, these languages are divided into four main subgroups: Central Delta, Ogoni, Lower Cross, and Upper Cross.
Lower Cross Group
– Efik: A major lingua franca with a rich written tradition.
– Ibibio: Spoken by over 3.5 million people.
– Other languages: Anaang, Oron, Ibeno, Obolo (Andoni).
Central Delta Group
– Abuan & Odual: Spoken in Abua-Odual LGA, Rivers State.
– Ogbia: Predominantly spoken in Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa State.
– Other languages: Abureni, Ogbogolo, Ogbronuagum.
Ogoni Group
– Khana: A prominent Ogoni language.
– Gokana & Eleme: Other principal Ogoni languages.
– Tee & Baan: Closely related lects.
Upper Cross Group
– Lokaa (Yakurr): Spoken by the Yakurr people.
– Mbembe: Spoken in Obubra LGA.
– Other languages: Bekwarra, Koring, Kukele, Umon.
One of the responses to my article came from Stanley Dien, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, historian, and farmer from Umon in Biase LGA. He explained:
“In Amon (Umon), Biase LGA, Cross River State, ame means ‘me’ while awo means ‘you’. Bag means rikpa while box means ogubo. Big bag is rikpa ibibi (ibibi means ‘big’). Mother is mma or aka, but grandmother is mma ibibi or aka’aka. Father is ase, and grandfather is ase’ase.”
My response to Barrister Dien was:
“Almost everything you said here in Umon (Amon) language and their meanings is identical with Yakurr words for me, I, you, and bag. It is amazing.”
Interestingly, the Umon people share cultural affinities with the Yakurr. I was recently told that my matriclan in Yakurr LGA is also the same in Umon in Biase LGA. The matrilineal system of Yakurr extends across Biase, Akamkpa, Abi, and Obubra LGAs of Cross River State.
This region truly represents what the Bible refers to as the “Babel of languages,” reflecting the diversity and multiplicity of tongues bestowed upon humanity.
Conclusion:
Going forward, it is both possible and desirable for scholars in history, geography, ethnography, anthropology, and linguistics to collaborate on studies aimed at the standardisation and preservation of the myriad languages in the Cross River Basin and the wider South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Such partnerships would not only safeguard cultural heritage but also strengthen identity and inter-group understanding.
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