Chadic · Nigeria’s peoples
Gwandara
The Gwandara speak a Chadic language close to Hausa.
At a glance
- Where do the Gwandara people live?
- Their homeland is in Kokona in Nasarawa State, across 1 local government area. They are also a large share of Gurara in Niger State and Karu and Lafia in Nasarawa State.
- What language do the Gwandara speak?
- Gwandara, a language of the Chadic family (Afro-Asiatic › Chadic).
Overview
The Gwandara speak a Chadic language close to Hausa. They are one of the indigenous peoples of the FCT and live across Nasarawa State, with communities in Niger, Kaduna and Kogi. New Karshi in Karu LGA is a Gwandara resettlement town.[2],[3]High confidence
Where the Gwandara 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
- Kokona(Homeland)
- Karu(Shared area)
- Lafia(Shared area)
- Awe(Smaller presence)
- Doma(Smaller presence)
- Keana(Smaller presence)
- Obi(Smaller presence)
Niger
- Gurara(Shared area)
Federal Capital Territory
- Gwagwalada(Smaller presence)
- Kuje(Smaller presence)
- Municipal Area Council(Smaller presence)
Kaduna
- Sanga(Smaller presence)
Areas are approximate and show where people live. They are not claims of land ownership.
Communities beyond the homeland
New Karshi
Karu, Nasarawa State.[2]High confidence
A resettlement town with a first-class Gwandara emir. Gwandara, Hausa's closest relative, is spoken in Abuja, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi and Nasarawa; the Gwandara are among the indigenous peoples of the FCT. The isolated Nimbia dialect counts in base twelve.[2]
Language
Gwandara, a language of the Chadic family (Afro-Asiatic › Chadic). ISO 639-3: gwn.[1],[2]High confidence
Sources
Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).
- Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin; Bank, Sebastian. Glottolog: Gwandara (gwan1268)
- Wikipedia contributors. Gwandara language
- Omachonu, Gideon S.; Dalhatu, Abigail Musa. (2018). The Languages of the North Central Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria. JOLAN Supplement III (tables of languages by LGA for Benue, FCT, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau)
- Wikipedia contributors. Karu, Nasarawa State
- (2025). List of ethnic groups and languages in Niger State by Local Government Area. Soluap
- Wikipedia contributors. Lafia
- Wikipedia contributors. Nasarawa State (languages by LGA)
- Wikipedia contributors. Kaduna State (languages by LGA)