Source: Plateau Gurara Gongola
COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF THE 23 INDIGENOUS ETHNIC GROUPS OF NASARAWA STATE AND THE FCT
1) AFO (Eloyi/Ajiri) -
With an estimated population of 400,000 - 500,000 natives. They are one of the 5 largest ethnic groups in Nasarawa state.
They make up the largest ethnic group in Nasarawa LGA and are also found in large numbers in Kokona and Keffi LGAs. Some Afo are also Indigenous to Agatu LGA in Benue state, but most of them there identify ethnically as Agatu.
They speak a Plateau (Benue-Congo) language which has been heavily influenced by neighbouring Idomoid (Volta-Niger) languages like Alago and Agatu.
Their neighbours are the Alago, Agatu, Gwandara/Toni, Gbagyi and Bassa Kwomu.
They are predominantly Christian with a significant Muslim and Traditionalist population.
The major towns/communities they are found include Nasarawa town, Odeni, Onda, Kana, Ogufa, Odu, Udege, Agwada, Ekpa, Ushakadu e.t.c.
Their supreme traditional ruler is called the OSU of AJIRI.
2) AGATU -
Most Agatu are indigenous to the South of the River Benue (Benue state and Kogi state).
The Agatu who are Indigenous to the North of the Benue (Nasarawa state) have an estimated population of 100,000 - 200,000 natives and they are mostly found in Nasarawa LGA (in Loko development area), with a few others in Doma LGA.
The Agatu in Benue and Kogi state usually identify as Idoma, but those in Nasarawa state hardly do so.
The Agatu live side by side with the Afo and Alago as neighbours, north of the Benue.
They speak an Idomoid (Volta-Niger) language.
They are predominantly Christian with a significant Muslim and Traditionalist population.
The major towns/communities in Nasarawa state that they are found include Loko, Guto, Aza, Bakono, Ushim, Oguma, Aguba e.t.c
Their supreme traditional ruler in Nasarawa state is the OCHE OF AGATU
3) ALAGO (including EKYE) -
With an estimated population of 600,000 - 700,000 natives. They are one of the 5 largest ethnic groups Indigenous to Nasarawa state.
They make up the largest ethnic group in Doma and Keana LGAs, and are also found in large numbers in Obi, Awe and Lafia LGAs.
They speak an Idomoid (Volta-Niger) language.
Their neighbours are the Agatu, Afo, Eggon, Migili (Koro), Jukun- kyekura and also Tivs and Idomas to the south of the Benue.
They are roughly divided between Christians, Muslims and Traditionalists.
The major towns/communities they are found include Doma, Agwatashi, Alagye, Obi, Rukubi, Assakio, Keana, Aloshi, Aribya, Owena, Akpanaja, Iwagu e.t.c
They have several traditional rulers which include the ANDOMA OF DOMA, OSANA OF KEANA, OSUKWO OF OBI, OSAKYO OF OWUSAKYO (Assakio), OSOHO OF OLOSOHO (Agwatashi) e.t.c
4) ARUM - CHESSU - TURKWAM - YASHI -
Closely related groups with an estimated population of 100,000 - 200,000 natives. About half of this population is found Indigenous to Southern Kaduna (Sanga LGA).
The other half Indigenous to Nasarawa state is found in the northern parts of Wamba LGA.
They speak Plateau (Benue-Congo) languages.
Most of them can speak and have adopted the languages of their larger neighbours like the Mada, Rindre and Numana.
They are overwhelmingly Christian with few Traditionalists.
The major towns/communities they are found in Nasarawa state include Arum Tumara, Arum Chugbu, Arum Kado, Chessu, Turkwan Kanja, Yashi e.t.c.
They have no traditional ruler in Nasarawa state, only district heads.
5) BASSA KWOMU (Abacha/Abatsa) -
With an estimated population of 800,000 - 1,000,000 natives. They are Indigenous to the FCT, Nasarawa state and Kogi state.
In Nasarawa state, they make up the single largest ethnic group in Toto LGA and are also found in few settlements in Doma and Nasarawa LGAs.
In the FCT, they are the 2nd largest group after the Gbagyi. They are Indigenous to Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji and Kwali LGAs. While in Kogi state, they make up the largest ethnic group in Bassa LGA and a significant population of Kogi - Koton Karfe LGA.
The Bassa live side by side with the Gbagyi, Egbura and Gade in all these LGAs they are found, whether in Nasarawa, FCT or Kogi state.
They speak a West Kainji (Benue-Congo) language.
They are closely related to the Bassa Gumna of Shiroro LGA (Eastern Niger state), where they are believed to have migrated from to the Benue area some centuries ago.
They are overwhelmingly Christian with a significant population of Muslims and Traditionalists.
The major towns/communities they are found in Nasarawa state include Ugya, Toto, Shege, Kovoufo, Fofuru, Kanyehu, Katakwa, Rubochi e.t.c
In the FCT, they are found in most communities to the South of Abuja municipal like Gwagwalada, Anagada, Yangoji, Paikonkore, Kwali, Kuje, Awawa, Kwaita, Sheda, Gomani, e.t.c
They have many AGUMAs (traditional rulers) of which the most prominent in Nasarawa/FCT are the AGUMA OF TURUNKU and AGUMA OF GWAGWALADA.
6) BUH - NINKADA (Abu- Jidda) -
With an estimated population of 100,000 - 200,000 natives, about half of this population is indigenous to Southern Kaduna (Sanga LGA). The other half is indigenous to Nasarawa state (Wamba LGA).
They speak a Plateau (Benue-Congo) language.
Their neighbours are the Ninzo, Numana, Mada, Rindre (Nungu) and the Arum- Chessu- Turkwam- Yashi.
They are overwhelmingly Christian with few Traditionalists.
The major towns/communities they are found in Nasarawa state include Nakere, Ragga, Ningkada, e.t.c
Their supreme traditional ruler is the CHUH BUH.
7) EGBURA (Egbira Koto)
With an estimated population of 400,000 - 500,000 natives. They are Indigenous to Nasarawa state (Toto LGA), FCT (Abaji LGA) and Kogi state (Koton karfe - Kogi and Bassa LGA).
They live side by side in intertwined communities with the Bassa and Gbagyi in all these LGAs that they are found.
They are closely related and speak the same language with other Ebira groups outside the Plateau Gurara Gongola region in other parts of Kogi state and Edo state.
They are overwhelmingly muslim with a significant Christian and Traditionalist population.
The major towns/communities they are found in Nasarawa state/FCT include Umaisha, Toto, Opanda, Shafan Koto, Zainaku, Chereku, Ogbere, Katakpa, Abaji, e.t.c
They have several Ohimege/Onah (traditional leaders) of which the most prominent in Nasarawa/FCT include the OHIMEGE OPANDA, OHIMEGE OGYE and ONAH OF ABAJI
8) EGGON -
With an estimated population of 800,000 - 1,000,000 natives. They are undoubtedly the largest ethnic group in Nasarawa state.
They are originally indigenous to the Eggon hills in Nasarawa Eggon LGA. However, shortly before and during the colonial era they massively moved down from the Eggon hills into neighbouring areas in present day Kokona, Lafia, Akwanga and Obi LGAs where they now make up a large chunk of the population in these places.
Today, they are found in almost all the nook and crannies of Nasarawa state in large numbers.
They speak a Plateau (Benue-Congo) language.
Their neighbours are the Mada, Rindre, Migili, Alago and Gwandara/Toni.
They are predominantly Christian with a significant Muslim and Traditionalist population.
The major towns/communities they are found include Alizaga, Umme, Arugwadu, Alushi, Wachuku, Wana, Arikya, Kagbu, Alogani, Burumburum, Lezin lafia, Mada station, Agyaragu, Akwanga e.t.c
Their supreme traditional ruler is the AREN EGGON
9) GADE (Babye) -
With an estimated population of 200,000 - 300,000 natives. They are indigenous to the FCT (Kuje and Abuja municipal LGAs) and Nasarawa state (Toto and Karu LGAs).
They speak a Volta-Niger language.
They live side by side with the Gbagyi and Gwandara in most of the places that they are found. Their other neighbours are the Afo, Bassa and Egbura.
They are roughly divided between Christians and Muslims, and few Traditionalists.
The major towns/communities they are found include Lokogoma, Gwargwada, Kurudu, Duda, Karmo, Uke, Zagabutu, Odu, Tudun uku, Takalafiya, Kujekwa, Piyanko, e.t.c
Their supreme traditional ruler is the GOMO OF BABYE in Nasarawa state and in the FCT, the GOMO OF KUJE.
10) GANAGANA/DIBO
The majority of the Ganagana/Dibo people are found Indigenous to the Southern parts of Niger state (Nupe land). Those found in the FCT are Indigenous to Abaji LGA.
Their Indigenous population in the FCT should be estimated at around 50,000 - 100,000 natives.
They are sometimes considered a subgroup of the Nupe, just like Kakanda, Gupa and Bassa-Nge.
Their language is oftentimes considered a dialect of Nupe. It is a Volta-Niger language.
Their neighbours in the FCT are the Egbura, Bassa and Gbagyi.
They are Predominantly Muslim with a significant Christian population.
The major towns/communities they are found include Yaba, Pandaji, Landaji, Kuka, Wako e.t.c
Their traditional ruler is the ETSU OF YABA.
11) GBAGYI/ GBARI (Gwari) -
With a total estimated population of around 2.5 - 3 million natives, they are the largest ethnic group within the Plateau -Gurara -Gongola region. However, more than half of this population is found Indigenous to Southern Kaduna and Eastern Niger state.
The remaining population which are found in Nasarawa state, FCT and Kogi state are around 800,000 - 1 million.
In Nasarawa state, they are Indigenous to Toto, Karu and Keffi LGAs. While in the FCT, they are found in all the 6 LGAs.
In Nasarawa state, FCT and Kogi state, the Gbagyis are found in intertwined communities with the Bassa, Gwandara, Gade and Egbura, side by side.
They are also neighbours to the Nyenkpa (Yeskwa), Ija- Koro and Ganagana/Dibo within this area.
They speak a Volta-Niger language.
They are overwhelmingly Christian with a significant Muslim and Traditionalist population.
The major towns/communities they are found in Nasarawa state include Gadabuke, Gadagba, Kpembo, Gitata, Gurku, Gunduma and most of the areas within and around Karu urban like Masaka, Ado, Aso, Nyanya, Mararaba, e.t.c.
In the FCT, they are found almost everywhere in all the major towns/communities.
They have many ETSU and SA (traditional rulers) within this area, of which the most prominent are the ETSU KARU, ETSU KWALI, ETSU BWARI, SA NYANYA'I.
12) GOEMAI (Ankwei) -
The majority of Goemai are Indigenous to Plateau state (Shendam and Quan'Pan LGAs). Those who are indigenous to Nasarawa state are few in number (around 50,000 -100,000 natives) and are found in Awe LGA (Jangwa district) and Lafia LGA (Mankwat district).
Their neighbours in Nasarawa state are the Alago, Eggon and Jukun kyekura.
They speak a West Chadic language.
They are Predominantly Christian with a significant Muslim and Traditionalist population.
They have no traditional rulers in Nasarawa state, only district heads.
13) GWANDARA/TONI -
With an estimated population of 500,000 - 600,000. They are one of the 5 largest ethnic groups in Nasarawa state. They are also found Indigenous to the FCT. They are also found Indigenous to Southern Kaduna and Niger east.
In Nasarawa state, they are found Indigenous to Kokona LGA where they make up the largest ethnic group and also in Lafia, Karu, Keffi and Keana LGAs. In the FCT, they are found in Abuja municipal and Kuje LGAs.
The Gwandara are basically a mixture of Traditionalist Hausa who migrated southwards into the Plateau-Gurara-Gongola region some centuries ago and intermixed with indigenous Kwararafan ethnic groups (who were most likely Benue-Congo or Volta-Niger speakers).
One of such Kwararafan groups that have managed to somehow retain parts of their Pre - Hausa Gwandara identity are the TONI people of GARAKU (Kokona LGA) who identify as Gwandara.
However, the language all Gwandara now speak is a very corrupt version of old Hausa (West Chadic language) with large differences depending on the degree of mixtures of the Hausa with Indigenous people.
As a result of this history, the Gwandara do not have a clearly defined Homeland as they live in scattered settlements with other different ethnic groups within the areas they are found.
They are roughly divided between a Christian and Muslim population with some Traditionalists.
Their neighbours are the Gbagyi, Gade, Afo, Mada, Nyenkpa (Yeskwa), Eggon and Alago.
The major towns/communities they are found in Nasarawa state and the FCT include Garaku, Daddare, Gidan Zakara, Kwandere, Giza, Toni, Shabu, Karshi, Ara, Nyanya Gwandara, Gurku, Gwagwa, Jiwa e.t.c
They have several traditional rulers in Nasarawa state like the ABAGA TONI, SANGARIN KWANDERE, SANGARIN SHABU e.t.c
14) KORO (IJA-ZUBA)
These are the Koro found within the FCT (Gwagwalada and Bwari LGAs) and Niger east (Tafa and Suleja LGAs). They are different but closely related to the Koro people found Indigenous to Southern Kaduna (Ashe-Tinor- Waci), Niger east (Kafin-Koro) and Nasarawa state (Migili).
With an estimated population of around 50,000 - 100,000 natives in the FCT.
The Ija-Zuba speak a Plateau (Benue-Congo) language which has been heavily influenced by Gbagyi and Ganagana (Nupoid language) which are Volta-Niger languages.
Some Ija-Zuba have adopted Ganagana and Gbagyi languages as their mother tongue.
They are roughly divided into a Muslim and Christian population.
Their neighbours are the Gbagyi, Ganagana-Dibo and Bassa.
The major towns/communities they are found in the FCT are Zuba, Tungan Maje, Giri e.t.c
Their supreme traditional ruler is the AGORA OF ZUBA.
15) KORO (MIGILI)
With an estimated population of 200,000 - 300,000 natives. They are found Indigenous to Nasarawa state (Obi and Lafia LGAs). They make up the largest ethnic group in Obi LGA.
They speak a Plateau (Benue-Congo) language.
Their neighbours are the Eggon, Alago, Gwandara, Jukun- kyekura, Goemai and Pan groups.
They are overwhelmingly Christian with few Traditionalists.
The major towns/communities they are found include Agyaragu, Duduguru, Gwadanya, Giringwe, Deddere, Akarekwu, Echiechene, Mutum daya, Zherugba e.t.c
Their supreme traditional ruler is the ZHE MIGILI.
16) JUKUN - KYEKURA/AWE-
With an estimated population of about 100,000 natives. They are found Indigenous to Nasarawa state (Awe LGA).
They are a Jukun group.
They speak a Jukunoid (Benue-Congo) language which is severely endangered as most of them have switched to Hausa language.
They heavily intermixed with Hausa and Nupe settlers and traders along the Benue river in the past.
Their neighbours are the Alago, Migili, Goemai and Jukun Wanu of Taraba state.
They are overwhelmingly Muslim with a small Christian population.
They are found within Awe, Kekura, Tunga, Azara and Wuse towns together with the Alagos, and a lot of Tiv and Hausa settlers.
17) MADA -
With an estimated population of 400,000 - 500,000 natives. They are one of the 5 largest ethnic groups in Nasarawa state.
They are found indigenous to Akwanga and Kokona LGAs. They make up the overwhelming majority of the population of Akwanga LGA. They are also found in Southern Kaduna (Sanga and Jema'a LGA), as long time settlers with farming communities there.
They speak a Plateau (Benue-Congo) language.
Their neighbours are the Eggon, Rindre (Nungu), Numana, Gwandara/Toni and Nyenkpa (Yeskwa).
They are overwhelmingly Christian with few traditionalists.
The major towns/communities they are found include Akwanga, Andaha, Ancho, Gudi, Rinze, Gbuje, Adde, Moroa, Tattara Mada, Gbugyar, Angwan Pah, Wasa station, Ngache, Ningo e.t.c
Their supreme traditional ruler is the CHUM MADA.
18) MAMA (Kwarra) -
With an estimated population of around 100,000 natives. They are found indigenous to Nasarawa state (Wamba LGA).
They speak a Bantoid (Benue-Congo) language.
Their neighbours are the Rindre, Buh- Ninkada, Arum- Chessu- Turkwam- Yashi and Ron-Kulere.
They are predominantly Christian with a significant Muslim population and few Traditionalists.
The major towns/communities they are found include Mama, Kwarra, Kanje, Mangar e.t.c
Their supreme traditional ruler is the GOM MAMA.
19) NUMANA -
The majority of Numana are Indigenous to Southern Kaduna (Sanga and Jema'a LGAs). Those in Nasarawa state have an estimated population of less than 50,000 natives. They are found in Akwanga LGA (within Agyaga district and Tafsir) where they have several villages.
They speak a Plateau (Benue-Congo) language.
Their neighbours in Nasarawa state are the Mada.
They are overwhelmingly Christian with some few Muslim and Traditionalist population.
They have no traditional rulers in Nasarawa state, only district heads.
20) NYENKPA (Yeskwa) -
With an estimated population of 200,000- 300,000 natives. About half of this population is Indigenous to Southern Kaduna (Jema'a LGA). Those Indigenous to Nasarawa state are found in the northern parts of Karu LGA.
They speak a Plateau (Benue-Congo) language.
Their neighbours in Nasarawa state are the Gbagyi, Gwandara and Mada.
They are overwhelmingly Christian with few Traditionalists.
The major towns/communities they are found include Panda, Tattara, Gitata, Kakanya, Kugbaru, Gwalada, Kondoro, Kuda, Kare e.t.c
Their supreme traditional ruler in Nasarawa state is the ODYONG NYENKPA.
21) PAN (Kofyar)
The majority of Pan people are indigenous to Plateau state (Quan'Pan LGA). Those Indigenous to Nasarawa state are few and are found in Lafia LGA around Monkwar - Yanga with a population of less than 50,000 natives.
They speak a West Chadic language.
Their neighbours in Nasarawa state are the Goemai, Rindre, Eggon and Alago.
They are Overwhelmingly Christian with a few Traditionalists.
They have no traditional ruler in Nasarawa state.
22) RINDRE (Nungu) -
With an estimated population of 200,000 - 300,000 natives. They are Indigenous to Wamba LGA where they make up the largest ethnic group.
Some of them are also found in Southern Kaduna as Settlers forming farm settlements in Sanga LGA.
They speak a Plateau (Benue-Congo) language.
Their neighbours are the Buh- Ninkada, Mama (Kwarra), Eggon, Mada, Ninzo and Arum- Chessu- Turkwam- Yashi.
They are predominantly Christian with a significant Muslim population and few Traditionalists.
The major towns/communities they are found include Wamba town, Waji, Wayo, Konvah, Sisinbaki, Ukambu, Ugure, Gitta, Jimiya e.t.c
Their supreme traditional ruler is the ORIYE RINDRE.
23) RON- KULERE -
The Majority of the Ron-Kulere are Indigenous to Plateau state (Bokkos LGA).
Those Indigenous to Nasarawa state are found in Wamba LGA (Farin ruwa development area) around Marrhai - Toff Massenge with an estimated population of less than 50,000 natives.
They speak a West Chadic language.
Their neighbours in Nasarawa state are the Mama, RINDRE and Arum- Chessu- Turkwam- Yashi
They are overwhelmingly Christian with few Traditionalists.
They have no traditional ruler in Nasarawa state, only district heads.
SETTLER COMMUNITIES
1) TIV
Tivs being the most recent group to arrive the Benue region from Cameroon/Congo a few centuries ago. They started moving North of the Benue River shortly before the colonial era and continued massively during the colonial era and post colonial era.
Today they are found in a large number of farming communities in the Southern parts of Nasarawa state like Keana, Doma, Awe and Nasarawa LGAs. They also have urban communities within the urban centers in the state.
Their population estimate in Nasarawa state should be around 300,000 - 400,000.
They are overwhelmingly Christian.
2) THE CORE-NORTHERNERS (Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri)
These ones also arrived the North of the Benue River (Nasarawa state) shortly before the colonial era and continued arriving during and after the colonial era.
Some came as traders while others came as invading jihadists seeking to expand the Sokoto caliphate to the Middlebelt (Benue River) regions.
They are found in urban centers within Nasarawa state like Lafia, Keffi, Nasarawa town, Awe town and Gudi.
Their population estimate in Nasarawa state should be around 400,000 - 500,000.
They are overwhelmingly Muslim.
3) NINZO, HAM (Jaba), KORO (of Southern Kaduna)
These are Indigenes of Southern Kaduna that have settled in Nasarawa state for generations, forming many settler farming communities. Most of them moved during the colonial era while others moved post colonial era.
They are mostly found in the northern parts of Nasarawa state that share land boundary with Southern Kaduna. These are LGAs like Karu, Kokona, Akwanga and Wamba LGAs.
Their population estimate in Nasarawa state should be around 200,000 - 300,000.
They are overwhelmingly Christian.
References on population estimates from
Ethnologue.com
The Joshua Project
Notes on the Tribes, Provinces, Emirates and states of the Northern provinces of Nigeria.
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