Plateau · Nigeria’s peoples

Afizere (Izere)

The Afizere are one of the three peoples recognised as indigenes of Jos, with the Berom and Anaguta, and the main people of Jos East LGA.

See the Afizere (Izere) on the map

At a glance

Where do the Afizere (Izere) people live?: Their homeland is in Jos East and Jos North in Plateau State, across 2 local government areas.
What language do the Afizere (Izere) speak?: Izere, a language of the Plateau family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Benue-Congo Plateau).

Overview

The Afizere are one of the three peoples recognised as indigenes of Jos, with the Berom and Anaguta, and the main people of Jos East LGA. Hausa sometimes call them Jarawa, but they are distinct from the Jarawa (Jar) of Kanam and Bauchi.^[2],[3],[1]High confidence

Where the Afizere (Izere) live

Local government areas by state. Homeland: the group is the majority. Shared area: a large share of a mixed area. Smaller presence: present, but a small share.

Plateau
- Jos East(Homeland)
- Jos North(Homeland)
Bauchi
- Toro(Smaller presence)

Areas are approximate and show where people live. They are not claims of land ownership.

Communities beyond the homeland

Afizere districts (Jos East)

Jos East, Plateau State; Jos North, Plateau State: Fobur, Shere, Federe, Maigemu, Forsum.^[2],[5],[6]High confidence

The Afizere are one of the three peoples recognised as indigenes of Jos. Their chiefdom, under the Agwom, is made of the districts of five royal families: Fobur, Forsum, Maigemu, Shere and Federe.^[2],[5]

Language

Izere, a language of the Plateau family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Benue-Congo Plateau).^[1]High confidence

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).