Plateau · Nigeria’s peoples

Afo (Eloyi)

The Afo, who call themselves Eloyi, live mostly in Nasarawa, Awe and Kokona LGAs of Nasarawa State; the emirate of Nasarawa was founded around 1838 in Afo country.

See the Afo (Eloyi) on the map

At a glance

Where do the Afo (Eloyi) people live?: Their homeland is in Nasarawa in Nasarawa State, across 1 local government area. They are also a large share of Keffi and Kokona in Nasarawa State.
What language do the Afo (Eloyi) speak?: Eloyi (Ajiri), a language of the Plateau family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Benue-Congo Plateau).

Overview

The Afo, who call themselves Eloyi, live mostly in Nasarawa, Awe and Kokona LGAs of Nasarawa State; the emirate of Nasarawa was founded around 1838 in Afo country.^[2],[3],[1]Medium confidence

Where the Afo (Eloyi) 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.

Nasarawa
- Nasarawa(Homeland)
- Keffi(Shared area)
- Kokona(Shared area)
- Awe(Smaller presence)

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

Communities beyond the homeland

Eloyi hills

Awe, Nasarawa State; Nasarawa, Nasarawa State; Kokona, Nasarawa State.^[2]Medium confidence

Most Eloyi (Afo) lived in a 24 km range of rocky hills in today's Nasarawa State. After revolting against the British in 1918 they were forced from their homeland and scattered across Nasarawa and Benue; some have gone back to the hills. In 1932 the British split them into ten village areas under heads the Eloyi did not recognise.^[2]

Language

Eloyi (Ajiri), 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).