Introduction / History

Degema (aka Udekaama and Atala) is a stable indigenous language of Nigeria. It is an Edoid language belonging to the Niger-Congo class. According to oral tradition, the Degema (originally part of the Engenni people) migrated from Benin (now the capital of Edo State) to Ewu, an area located in present-day Ahoada Local Government Area in Rivers State. One ancient story recounts how the people split over some dispute regarding fish cooking. One group left and became known as the Udekaama. In the 15th century, they settled on Degema Island, which had previously been uninhabited.

Degema speakers now live in two communities, Usokun-Degema and Degema Town (Atala), in Degema LGA (Local Government Area) in Rivers State. They live in an area of swamps, mangroves, and tropical rainforests.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Degema people are known for their strong-knit communities and warm hospitality. Water molds their lives. Many rivers provide abundant aquatic resources to meet their daily and economic needs. They are proud of the fishing techniques they have developed. They also grow cassava, plantains and palm oil. Significant ports have grown up along the rivers to support the oil industry. The Degema area also has several educational institutions and healthcare facilities. The government is working to improve these and other infrastructure to provide adequate services to the community.

What Are Their Beliefs?

While around a quarter of the people follow Christianity, most practice traditional ethnic religions. Animism, a key feature of this worldview, holds that natural physical entities, such as animals, plants, and even inanimate objects, possess a spiritual essence.

What Are Their Needs?

Degema is used as the first language by all in the ethnic community. It is not known to be taught in schools. Some linguistic research has been done on the language and descriptive papers written in the past. Some updated surveys would be useful in determining the level of multilingualism and in what domains English and Hausa and neighboring languages are used. Community leaders may be interested in language development to preserve their language. Workshops that would expose participants to language vitality and potential short-term development and translation projects may become available.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Degema community and church leaders will seek assistance in analyzing the vitality of their language to determine what language development and translation projects are necessary.
Pray that oral and written translation projects can be created to provide the Degema people with God s word in their heart language, allowing Christians to grow in faith and enabling others to come to know the power of the One True God.

Scripture Prayers for the Degema, Atala in Nigeria.

References

Degema language - Wikipedia
Degema | Ethnologue Free
Degema | Oil Industry, Fishing & Agriculture | Britannica
A brief walk into the lives of one of Nigeria's finest people | Pulse Nigeria
Degema | Neighbourhood Guide (propertypro.ng)P