Ninzo people

Ninzo

Ninzo troupe at Chong Dovetail in December 2024
Total population
131,000[ citation needed ]
Regions with significant populations
Nigeria
Languages
Ninzo
Religion
Christianity, Islam, Traditional Religion
Related ethnic groups
Nikyob-Nindem, Mada, Ham, Koro, Atyap, Berom, Jukun

Ninzo people (also Gbhu and Ninzam), are an ethnic group in the Middle Belt who speak the Ninzo language, a western Plateau language of Nigeria. ^[1] The speakers of the Sambe language, a now presumed extinct language spoken in a village with same name have now incorporated with the Ninzo. ^[2]

Demographics

There are approximately 500,000 Ninzo people.^{[ citation needed ]}

The Ninzo people are found in Sanga LGA of southern Kaduna State ^[3] and Akwanga LGA of Nasarawa State, Nigeria.^{[ citation needed ]}

About 64% of the Ninzo are Christian, 31% Muslim and 5% adherents of Traditional religion.^{[ citation needed ]}

Politics

The Ninzo people are traditionally governed by rulers called the Uchu Ninzo. The Uchu Ninzo, a Second Class Chief, as of 2018 is Uchu (Alh.) Umar Musa. ^[4] The Ninzo Chiefdom headquarters is at Hate (H. Fadan Wate or Fadan Ninzo). ^[5]

Language

Main article: Ninzo language

The Ninzo people speak a Ninzic language, belonging to the western Plateau group of languages.

References

1. Ethnologue entry on Ninzo
2. Blench, Roger (2001). "Foundation for Endangered Languages". ogmios. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
3. "Sanga, Kaduna State, Nigeria". Mindat.com. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
4. Ali, Ahmed (September 9, 2018). "Thrills as Ninzo monarch mounts saddle". PressReader. Kafanchan: Daily Trust. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
5. "Composition of the State's Council of Chiefs". Ministry of Local Government Affairs | Kaduna State Government. Retrieved December 26, 2021.