The Ijaw (or Ijo or Izon) language belongs to a group of languages called the NIGER-CONGO. It in turn, is a family of several languages known as the IJOID family of languages.

Ijaw is a large language group spoken by people who are predominantly in the Niger Delta states (Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Akwa Ibom) of Nigeria.

According to E. J Alagoa, the Ijaw nation is made of 43 clans:

a. Western Delta Fringe

1. Apoi
2. Arogbo
3. Furupagha
4. Olodiama
5. Gbaramatu
6. Ogbo

b. Western Delta

1. Obotebe
2. Mein
3. Seimibiri
4. Tuomo
5. Takakiri
6. Kabowei
7. Kumbowei
8. Operemo
9. Oyakiri
10. Ogulagha
11. Iduwini

c. Central Delta

Apoi
1. Basan
2. Olodiama
3. Oporoma
4. Ogboin
5. Tungbo
6. Kolokuma
7. Opokuma
8. Gbaran
9. Zarama
10. Okodia
11. Biseni
12. Ekpetiama
13. Tarakiri
14. Boma
15. Akasa

d. Eastern Delta

1. Nembe
2. Kalabari
3. Okrika
4. Ibani

e. Eastern Delta Fringe

1. Nkoro
2. Opobo

f. Northern Delta Fringe

1. Epie-Atissa
2. Ogbia
3. Oruma

- Source: "The Land and People of Bayelsa State", (Page 73) by Prof. EJ Alagoa.