Akweya in Nigeria

People Name:	Akweya
Country:	Nigeria
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	53,000
World Population:	53,000
Primary Language:	Akweya
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	90.00 %
Evangelicals:	15.00 %
Scripture:	Translation Started
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Benue
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The people call themselves Akweya (sons of Akwu) while the non-indigenes call them Akpa, a distortion of the word meaning people from Apa. Akpa has been the name officially used by the government since 1950 to date. The two generic names can be used interchangeably to mean the people, the language and their land.

Where Are they Located?

They live in the Akpa District in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State of Nigeria. The district has a common border with the Otukpo district in the north, Oglewu in Ohimini in the northwest, Edumoga in Okpokwu to the west, Obi-Ito-Igede to the east and the Ufia-Utonkon in Ado, to the south. Akweya territory is a level land which is only dotted in some areas with hills around Odonto-Adim, Ilo, Angbo, Otobi, Egbla, and Atito-Adankari. The two main vegetations are the deciduous rain forest belt that clothe the River Ohmenyi (R. Okpokwu) and the River Ogbadibo, which is the main tributary. The forest is flanked on the east and west banks by large expanse of guinea savannah grassland. The entire district is almost bisected by the Ohmenyi river which runs from Aturukpo town on the northeast through the towns of Otobi, Egbla, Omajaga, Adim, Ejor, Ogyoma and drains away down to the Oyongo river south eastwards.