Ukelle people (Nigeria)
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The Ukelle people (Ba'kelle) make up roughly half of the population of the Yala Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria.[1] The language of the Ukelle people is Kukelle belonging to the Kukelle-Korring language family.[2]
The major groups among the Ukelle are:
- North Ukelle in Cross River State: The subgroups here are Wanihem (including Wanibolor), Wanikade (including Uzenyi), Wanokom (including Otikili) and Uzekwe (including Okom).[3]
- South Ukelle in Cross River State: Subgroups are Uzilagar (Ijiraga), Uzikatom, Uzokom (Ujokom) and Otiligom (Ntrigom).[4][5]
Ba'kelle are closely related to:
- Orring people of Effium (Uffium), Ntezi (Eteji), Amuda (Idzem) and Okpoto in Ebonyi State.[6]
- Utonkon (also known as Uffia or Wanffia) in Benue State.[7]