Yigha, Ayiga in Nigeria

Introduction / History

The Ayiga Yigha (also known as Assiga) are a small people group located in Cross River State in southern Nigeria. The ancient Lemane pool, a historic stream in the town of Assiga, has existed for hundreds of years and remains a popular tourist site. The Ayiga Yigha people speak Leyigha.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Ayiga Yigha people are farmers, growing cassava, yams, maize, rice, palm kernel, cucumber, plantain, pears, and other crops. People come from far and wide to the local market to buy garri, a starchy flour made from the cassava root. Many Ayiga Yigha also engage in the profitable palm oil industry. Others are employed in civil service.

The Ayiga Yigha are multilingual, speaking Leyigha, English, and some neighboring languages. Leyigha remains the primary language in their community and the first language children learn in their homes. English is used in public domains with outsiders and neighboring groups.

English is the language used for education. English literature includes Bibles, magazines, novels, and textbooks. Some people can read and write in Leyigha but the orthography has not been standardized.

What Are Their Beliefs?

A large majority of Leyigha speakers are Christians. A small percentage still practice traditional African religion. Animism, a religious worldview that believes natural physical entities such as animals, plants, and even inanimate objects possess a spiritual essence, is its core concept. Several denominations exist in the area, but many of these tend to focus more on social justice issues rather than personal salvation through Christ.

What Are Their Needs?

Survey workers were told that language development had begun among the Ayiga Yigha people, but they were not able to collect sufficient data for this group. Further survey work would give a better picture of their needs. Community leaders interested in language development could attend a planning workshop where they would be exposed to the concepts of language vitality and language development. If they desire to pursue further language development, they could seek training from SIL Nigeria. A Bible in their language would help them understand God’s Word better.

Prayer Points

Ask God to give community and church leaders wisdom to pursue language develop and establish goals for Bible translation.
Pray that God’s word may be translated into the Ayiga Yigha people’s heart language to help them understand the true Gospel message and grow in their faith in Christ.
Pray for the Lord to call people from the community to serve as Bible translators.

Text Source:   Joshua Project