One word at a time. One learner at a time. Forever.
Owanly is a language preservation app dedicated to keeping the Owan language alive for future generations. The Owan people, from Edo State in southern Nigeria, have a rich linguistic and cultural heritage that risks fading as younger generations increasingly adopt English and Pidgin in daily life.
To preserve the Owan language and ensure it thrives for generations to come.
Languages are dying at an alarming rate. UNESCO estimates that one language disappears every two weeks. In Nigeria alone, over 500 languages exist — many of them endangered. The Owan language faces the same threat.
Younger generations speak only English and Pidgin. Grandparents fluent in Owan cannot pass the language to grandchildren in cities or abroad. Slowly, silently, a piece of who we are slips away.
Owanly exists to reverse this trend.
We believe language is more than words. It is identity. It is memory. It is connection.
When you speak Owan, you carry the voice of every ancestor who spoke it before you. When you name your child an Owan name, you connect them to centuries of history and meaning.
We believe every Owan person — whether living in Afuze, Lagos, London, or Los Angeles — deserves the opportunity to learn, speak, and pass on their language.
We believe it is not too late.
Technology in service of culture, community, and heritage
Build a comprehensive Owan language learning platform with courses, quizzes, a dictionary, and a cultural database that anyone can access for free.
Reach 100,000 learners worldwide and create the largest digital archive of Owan language and culture ever assembled.
Ensure that in 50 years, children are still speaking Owan — not as a relic of the past, but as a living, breathing part of their identity.
Modern technology combined with cultural education for a complete learning experience
Language courses with audio from native speakers — hear Owan the way it was meant to sound.
Traditional names database with meanings, history, and cultural significance behind every name.
Wise sayings that capture Owan philosophy — collected and preserved for generations.
Traditions, customs, festivals, and history — the full picture of what it means to be Owan.
Quizzes, streaks, achievements, and leaderboards to keep every learner motivated and engaged.
A growing collection of Owan words and phrases — the most comprehensive Owan dictionary online.
An ethnic group from Edo State in southern Nigeria, rich in history, culture, and tradition
Owan land sits in the northern part of Edo State, blessed with fertile soil and lush vegetation. Major towns include Afuze, Sabongida-Ora, Uzebba, Otuo, Ihievbe, Ikao, Sobe, Emai, and many more — each with its own unique character and history.
The Owan language belongs to the Edoid language family. It is tonal, musical, and expressive. It carries proverbs that teach wisdom, greetings that show respect, and words that no English translation can fully capture.
Owan names are not just labels. They are statements, prayers, and prophecies. Every Owan name has meaning — reflecting the circumstances of birth, family hopes, or gratitude to God and the community.
Traditional music features drums, songs, and call-and-response patterns accompanying festivals and ceremonies. Our dances are energetic and meaningful — they tell stories and mark every important occasion.
From birth naming ceremonies to marriage rites to festival masquerades — every stage of life is marked with cultural celebration that connects us to our ancestors and to each other.
Today Owan people live across Nigeria and around the world — Lagos, London, Houston, Toronto. No matter where we go, Owan remains home. We remember. That is why Owanly exists.
Every word saved is a piece of our identity preserved. We document not just vocabulary, but dialects, pronunciations, and cultural context.
Language learning should be free and available to all. Whether you're in Afuze or Amsterdam, Owanly meets you where you are.
Owanly is built by Owan people, for Owan people. The community owns its heritage, and our platform reflects that belief.
We use the best of modern technology — gamification, spaced repetition, audio — to preserve something ancient and irreplaceable.
A blueprint for linguistic heritage across Africa and beyond
Owanly is not just about one language. We are proving a model. If we can save Owan, the same approach can save Esan, Urhobo, Ibibio, Tiv, and hundreds of other Nigerian languages at risk. What we build for Owan becomes a blueprint for preserving linguistic heritage across Africa and beyond.
Every language saved makes the world richer. Every culture preserved is a victory for humanity.
Every word you learn, every lesson you complete, every name you discover helps keep Owan alive. Download Owanly. Learn your first word today. Tell someone about it.