Idomoid · Nigeria’s peoples

Alago

The Alago of southern Nasarawa State speak an Idomoid language and trace their origin, with the Idoma, to the Kwararafa confederacy.

See the Alago on the map Kwararafa

At a glance

Where do the Alago people live?: Their homeland is in Doma and Keana in Nasarawa State, across 2 local government areas. They are also a large share of Awe and Obi in Nasarawa State.
What language do the Alago speak?: Alago, a language of the Idomoid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Idomoid).
Who is the traditional ruler of the Alago?: Andoma of Doma, seated at Doma.
Which kingdoms are part of Alago history?: Kwararafa

Overview

The Alago of southern Nasarawa State speak an Idomoid language and trace their origin, with the Idoma, to the Kwararafa confederacy. They are the main people of Doma, where the Andoma rules, and of Keana and Obi, whose rulers rank with the Andoma among the leading Alago chiefs.^[2],[3],[4]High confidence

Where the Alago 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
- Doma(Homeland)
- Keana(Homeland)
- Awe(Shared area)
- Obi(Shared area)
- Lafia(Smaller presence)

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

Communities beyond the homeland

Doma

Doma, Nasarawa State.^[3],[7]High confidence

Seat of the Andoma. Doma tradition dates its founding to about 1232 by Andoma, whose Alago, once called Idoma, came from Apa in Kwararafa by way of Idah, Apa, Otukpa, Ogyogo on the Benue and Oba'sidoma in Keana. The kingdom lasted until British rule in 1901; the Odu festival is held each year.^[3]

Mostly farming.^[3]

Keana

Keana, Nasarawa State.^[4],[7]High confidence

Seat of the Osana, one of the three great Alago kings. Founded by Akyana Adi, by tradition in the 12th century, and home of the Benue valley's salt.^[4]

Salt making from the brine flats, and farming.^[4],[8]

Obi

Obi, Nasarawa State: Agwatashi, Agyaragu, Daddare.^[9],[4],[7]High confidence

Seat of the Osuko of Obi, the third of the leading Alago kings with the Andoma and the Osana; Agwatashi is one of the main Alago towns.^[4]

Assakio

Lafia, Nasarawa State.^[4],[3],[7]High confidence

One of the Alago town centres, whose people share the Kwararafa origin of Doma and Keana.^[3],[4]

Language

Alago, a language of the Idomoid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Idomoid). ISO 639-3: ala.^[1],[2]High confidence

Traditional ruler

Andoma of Doma, seated at Doma.^[3],[4]High confidence

In history

KwararafaKwararafa at its height, 1650

Sources

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