Apart from
the Hausa ethnicity, which majority in southern Nigeria ascribe to every state
in northern Nigeria, not much is known of the ethnic composition of Jigawa
State. Well, just like neighbouring Kano State which it was carved out from in
1976, Jigawa is indeed dominated by the Hausa ethnic group, but with a
significant population of the Fulani ethnic group.
the Hausa ethnicity, which majority in southern Nigeria ascribe to every state
in northern Nigeria, not much is known of the ethnic composition of Jigawa
State. Well, just like neighbouring Kano State which it was carved out from in
1976, Jigawa is indeed dominated by the Hausa ethnic group, but with a
significant population of the Fulani ethnic group.
Jigawa is
also home to a sprinkling of the Kurama, the Ngizmawa, the Warjawa, the
Mangawa, and the Badawa. What follows below are brief profiles of the tribes in
Jigawa State.
also home to a sprinkling of the Kurama, the Ngizmawa, the Warjawa, the
Mangawa, and the Badawa. What follows below are brief profiles of the tribes in
Jigawa State.
Hausa
Like I
mentioned earlier, the Hausa are the largest tribe in Jigawa State, and they
are everywhere in the state. The Hausa language is the most used language for
business and informal interactions.
mentioned earlier, the Hausa are the largest tribe in Jigawa State, and they
are everywhere in the state. The Hausa language is the most used language for
business and informal interactions.
The Hausa
culture and traditions have overshadowed the culture and traditions of other
ethnicities to a very large extent.
culture and traditions have overshadowed the culture and traditions of other
ethnicities to a very large extent.
The Hausa
of Jigawa State are predominantly Muslims.
of Jigawa State are predominantly Muslims.
Fulani
The Fulani
are the second largest tribe in Jigawa State, and like the Hausa, they are
everywhere in the state. They are mainly nomadic herders and traders.
are the second largest tribe in Jigawa State, and like the Hausa, they are
everywhere in the state. They are mainly nomadic herders and traders.
99 percent
of the Fulani in Jigawa State are adherents of the Islamic religion.
of the Fulani in Jigawa State are adherents of the Islamic religion.
Kurama
The Kurama,
or Akurmi, or Bagwama are found in Saminaka and Lere local government areas of
Kaduna State, in Tudun Wada local government area of Kano State, and in Jigawa
State. They settled in this region more than 600 years ago.
or Akurmi, or Bagwama are found in Saminaka and Lere local government areas of
Kaduna State, in Tudun Wada local government area of Kano State, and in Jigawa
State. They settled in this region more than 600 years ago.
The Kurama
are amiable and friendly people who are primarily subsistence farmers. Some
Kurama also work as tailors, carpenters and traders.
are amiable and friendly people who are primarily subsistence farmers. Some
Kurama also work as tailors, carpenters and traders.
There are
over 67,000 Kurama, majority of whom are adherents of the Christian religion.
over 67,000 Kurama, majority of whom are adherents of the Christian religion.
Warji
The Warji,
also known as the Warjawa are found in Ningi local government area of Bauchi
State, and Birnin Kudu local government area of Jigawa State.
also known as the Warjawa are found in Ningi local government area of Bauchi
State, and Birnin Kudu local government area of Jigawa State.
There are
over 120,000 Warjawa, majority of whom follow traditional religious practices.
Every Warji ward has a pile logs that serves as a shrine to represent the
family dodo. Periodically, members of the ward pour blood and beer over the
shrine and perform rites.
over 120,000 Warjawa, majority of whom follow traditional religious practices.
Every Warji ward has a pile logs that serves as a shrine to represent the
family dodo. Periodically, members of the ward pour blood and beer over the
shrine and perform rites.
Beside
their own Warji language, the Warji speak the Hausa language.
their own Warji language, the Warji speak the Hausa language.
Farming is
the basis of Warji livelihood. Farmers grow guinea corn, rice millet, sweet
potatoes and vegetables
the basis of Warji livelihood. Farmers grow guinea corn, rice millet, sweet
potatoes and vegetables
Warji
villages are seperated into wards which include the extended families, with
each ward having as its leader the eldest male of the family.
villages are seperated into wards which include the extended families, with
each ward having as its leader the eldest male of the family.
Mangawa
The Mangawa,
or Manga are a sub-tribe of the Kanuri. They are found in Guri, Kiri Kasama and
Birniwa local government areas of Jigawa State.
or Manga are a sub-tribe of the Kanuri. They are found in Guri, Kiri Kasama and
Birniwa local government areas of Jigawa State.
The Mangawa
are the third largest tribe in Jigawa State, after the Hausa and the Fulani.
are the third largest tribe in Jigawa State, after the Hausa and the Fulani.
Badawa
The Badawa,
or the Bada or Gar are found in Guri, Birniwa and Kiri Kasama local government
areas of Jigawa State, and also in Kanam local government area of Plateau
State, Bauchi local government area of Bauchi State, and Alkaleri local
government area of Gombe State.
or the Bada or Gar are found in Guri, Birniwa and Kiri Kasama local government
areas of Jigawa State, and also in Kanam local government area of Plateau
State, Bauchi local government area of Bauchi State, and Alkaleri local
government area of Gombe State.
The Badawa
speak a language known as Mbat, which is considered to be a dialect of the
Kanuri language.
speak a language known as Mbat, which is considered to be a dialect of the
Kanuri language.
There are over
50,000 Badawa, with half of them being adherents of the Christian religion.
50,000 Badawa, with half of them being adherents of the Christian religion.
Ngizmawa
The Ngizim,
or the Ngizmawa are another sub-group of the Kanuri ethnic group found in Yobe
State, and in Birniwa, Guri and Kiri Kasama local government areas of Jigawa
State.
or the Ngizmawa are another sub-group of the Kanuri ethnic group found in Yobe
State, and in Birniwa, Guri and Kiri Kasama local government areas of Jigawa
State.
The Ngizim
speak the Ngizim language. They are the founders of Potiskum.
speak the Ngizim language. They are the founders of Potiskum.
The Ngizim
are mainly farmers. They are very humble people and welcome settlers among
them. They are huge and dark. Some Ngizim wear tribal marks on their faces and
stomachs.
are mainly farmers. They are very humble people and welcome settlers among
them. They are huge and dark. Some Ngizim wear tribal marks on their faces and
stomachs.
Most Ngizim
are Muslims but a significant number (around 7 percent) are Christians.
are Muslims but a significant number (around 7 percent) are Christians.
There are
over 150,000 Ngizim in Yobe and Jigawa States.
over 150,000 Ngizim in Yobe and Jigawa States.