TRIBES IN NASARAWA STATE

Nasarawa state is in central Nigeria. It was created from
Plateau state on 1st October, 1996. The state is made up of 13 Local
Government Areas with about 29 languages spoken in the state as first languages
but the common language spoken in the state is Hausa.The main occupation of the
people of the state is farming. They produce food crops such as Yam, Melon
(Egusi), Salt, Cassava, Rice, Maize etc.
Here is the list of the major tribes found in Nasarawa state,
where they are found in Nasarawa state and their population estimate.

Eggon

The Eggon people are located in Lafia, Keffi, Akwanga and
Nasarawa Eggon LGAs of Nasarawa state. The Eggon tribe is believed to have
started in Ngazargamu situated in Borno state before they finally settled down
in the Eggon Hills. They are also found in some villages around Wamba, Keena
and Doma. The Eggon people are known as hill people because they live in hills.
The population of the Eggon people is estimated to be 249,000 people.

Alago

The Alago people are said to originate from the Jukun
kingdom as far back as 800AD. They are the major occupants of Keana, Obi and
Doma LGAs of Nasarawa state. The history of the Alago people cannot be complete
without the mention of Akyana Adi. He was the Alago nation leader who helped
them find their way out of the Jukun kingdom to their present location. They
practice both the Christian and Islamic religions while a very small number of
them still practice traditional religion. The Alago people are estimated to be
about 55,000.

Kanuri

The Kanuri tribe is a large tribe that can be found in
different parts of the Northern regions of Nigeria. The Kanuri people are
mostly found in Borno state and some parts of Niger and Nasarawa states. The
Kanuri people are believed to be part of the descendants of the Sao people. Kanuri
people are mostly Muslims. The Kunaris engage in farming and some of them
engage in buying and selling of Arabic gum.

Jukun

Many tribes in the North central part of Nigeria are
believed to originate from the Jukun tribe. The Jukun people can be found in
Taraba, Benue, Gombe, Adamawa and Nasarawa states. Before the coming of
Christianity and Islamic religion, the Jukun people practice their own
traditional beliefs. The Jukun tribe is divided into two groups which includes
Jukun Wapa and Jukun Wanu. The Jukun people trace their root and origin to the
rulers of Kwararafa kingdom. There are about 900,000 to 1 million Jukun people
across the country.

Rindre

The Rindre people are also known and called Nungu. They are
located in Agwan Nungu Lafia, Gidan Mai Akuya and Awuma in Lafia LGA of
Nasarawa state. There is no clear story about the origin of the Rindre people
but some groups link the origin of the Rindre people to the Kwararafa kingdom
base on some archeological findings that was recently excavated in Wamba.
The total population of the Rindre people cannot be gotten
because most of them that have migrated to other parts of the country change
their identity so that they can fit to their new environments.

Eloyi

Most Eloyi people traditionally live in the rocky hills of
Nasarawa state. Others are also scattered in different parts of Benue state.
One of the practices of the people is weaving and dying. When compared with
other tribes of the Benue Valley, the Eloyi people are the most economically
advanced tribe. Most of the people of this tribe practice their traditional
beliefs. The father of the village is referred to as Gado. He is in charge of planting
and harvest rites in the village. The Eloyi people are estimated to be about
48,000.

2 thoughts on “TRIBES IN NASARAWA STATE”

  1. Please stop posting semi-baked work. Your list is incomplete, I represent Bassa of Toto Local Government, where are remaining tribes?

  2. What of mada gwandara gbagyi mama bassa egbira etc but u are mentioning tribes whom are not indigenous to nasarawa wetin bring jukun come nasarawa

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