10/04/2025
INSIDE YAKURR: The Towns, Language, and Origins of a Proud People
By John Augustine Ubi
Yakurr Local Government Area, located in the heart of Cross River State, Nigeria, is home to a culturally rich and historically significant people. The area is recognized for its five major settlements, often referred to as towns or large villages. These include:
Ugep (also known as Umor)
Ekori (also known as Ekoli)
Idomi (also known as Ilomi)
Nko (a shortened form of Nkoibolokom)
Mkpani (fondly called Yakurr be Ibe)
Beyond these central towns, Yakurr LGA also encompasses several other vibrant communities such as:
Inyima
Assiga
Agoi Ibami
Agoi Ekpo
Agoi Efreke
These towns and villages together form the fabric of Yakurr, a land known for unity in diversity.
Language:
The primary language spoken across Yakurr is Yakรถ, also referred to as Lokรถ or Lokแบกแบก. While the core of the language remains the same across communities, each town has its own distinct accent and expressions โ a beautiful testament to the area's rich linguistic heritage.
Historical Roots:
The Yakurr people trace their origins to an ancestral homeland from which they migrated centuries ago. Historical accounts suggest that Idomi and Ugep were founded around A.D. 1660, followed by Ekori and Nko between 1677 and 1707, and Mkpani between 1707 and 1737.
Yakurr is not just a local government area โ it is a nation built on culture, language, and a deep sense of identity. We honor our past while looking forward to a united and prosperous future.
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