Ebira-Nupoid · Nigeria’s peoples

Gbagyi

The Gbagyi (Gbari) are one of the largest peoples of the Middle Belt and the original people of the land where Abuja was built.

See the Gbagyi on the map

At a glance

Where do the Gbagyi people live?: Their homeland is in Niger and Kaduna States and the Federal Capital Territory, across 11 local government areas. They are also a large share of Niger, Kaduna and Nasarawa States and the Federal Capital Territory.
What language do the Gbagyi speak?: Gbagyi (and Gbari), a language of the Ebira-Nupoid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Ebira-Nupoid).

Overview

The Gbagyi (Gbari) are one of the largest peoples of the Middle Belt and the original people of the land where Abuja was built. Gbagyi is spoken in all six FCT area councils, across southern Niger State, in Kaduna State around Chikun and Igabi, and in Karu and Toto in Nasarawa.^[4],[3]High confidence

Where the Gbagyi 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
- Bosso(Homeland)
- Paikoro(Homeland)
- Shiroro(Homeland)
- Suleja(Homeland)
- Tafa(Homeland)
- Chanchaga(Shared area)
- Gurara(Shared area)
- Munya(Shared area)
- Wushishi(Shared area)
- Lapai(Smaller presence)
- Rafi(Smaller presence)
Federal Capital Territory
- Bwari(Homeland)
- Kuje(Homeland)
- Kwali(Homeland)
- Municipal Area Council(Homeland)
- Abaji(Shared area)
- Gwagwalada(Shared area)
Kaduna
- Igabi(Homeland)
- Kagarko(Homeland)
- Chikun(Shared area)
- Kajuru(Shared area)
Nasarawa
- Karu(Shared area)
- Keffi(Shared area)
- Toto(Smaller presence)

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

Communities beyond the homeland

Bwari

Bwari, the Federal Capital Territory: Ushafa (Wushapa).^[13],[4]High confidence

Its original people are Gbagyi, under the Esu (Sa-bwaya). Since 1976 a Koro Sarki appointed under the FCT has also ruled; the rivalry between the two stools led to a Hausa–Gbagyi clash on Christmas Day 2017.^[13]

Gbagyi of Abuja

Municipal Area Council, the Federal Capital Territory; Kuje, the Federal Capital Territory; Kwali, the Federal Capital Territory; Gwagwalada, the Federal Capital Territory; Abaji, the Federal Capital Territory: Kwali, Gawu, Abaji, Gwagwalada.^[4],[5]High confidence

The Gbagyi are among the original owners of the land on which Abuja was built. At Abaji they were first settlers with the Bassa and Egbura before the jihad.^[4],[5]

Minna

Chanchaga, Niger State; Bosso, Niger State: Maikunkele, Paiko.^[14],[4]High confidence

Its original peoples are the Gbagyi, Nupe and Hausa.^[14]

Kuta and Shiroro

Shiroro, Niger State: Kuta, Gussoro, Gwada, Galkogo, Manta, Erena, Alawa.^[15],[4]High confidence

Gbagyi is the main language of Shiroro, whose headquarters is Kuta.^[15],[4]

Chikun (Kujama)

Chikun, Kaduna State.^[8]High confidence

Named after the Gbagyi village of Chikun near Kujama; the indigenous people are Gbagyi, now absorbed into greater Kaduna.^[8]

Karu and Toto

Karu, Nasarawa State; Toto, Nasarawa State.^[4]Medium confidence

Karu and Toto are among the significant Gbagyi towns of Nasarawa.^[4]

Suleja and Diko

Suleja, Niger State; Tafa, Niger State; Gurara, Niger State: Diko.^[4]Medium confidence

Language

Gbagyi (and Gbari), a language of the Ebira-Nupoid family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Ebira-Nupoid). ISO 639-3: gbr.^[1],[2],[3]High confidence

Sources

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