Mande · Nigeria’s peoples

Boko

The Boko (who call themselves Boo) were co-rulers of old Borgu with the Baatombu.

At a glance

Where do the Boko people live?: Their homeland is in Borgu in Niger State, across 1 local government area.
What language do the Boko speak?: Boko, a language of the Mande family (Mande › Eastern Mande).

Overview

The Boko (who call themselves Boo) were co-rulers of old Borgu with the Baatombu. About 35,000 live in Nigeria between the Niger and the Benin border, around their main centre at Babana in Borgu LGA, Niger State, with more in Benin. Their language, Boko, belongs to the Boko-Busa cluster of Eastern Mande. In Nigeria they are under the Emir of Borgu.^[2],[1]High confidence

Where the Boko 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.

Niger
- Borgu(Homeland)
Kebbi
- Bagudu(Smaller presence)
Kwara
- Baruten(Smaller presence)
- Kaiama(Smaller presence)

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

Communities beyond the homeland

Babana

Borgu, Niger State.^[2]High confidence

The main centre of the Boko (Boo), co-rulers of old Borgu with the Baatombu; in Nigeria they come under the Emir of Borgu.^[2]

Language

Boko, a language of the Mande family (Mande › Eastern Mande).^[1]High confidence

Sources

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