Plateau · Nigeria’s peoples

Ham (Hyam)

The Ham, called Jaba by Hausa, are the people of Jaba LGA in southern Kaduna, around Kwoi and Nok, with smaller groups in Keffi.

See the Ham (Hyam) on the map

At a glance

Where do the Ham (Hyam) people live?: Their homeland is in Jaba in Kaduna State, across 1 local government area.
What language do the Ham (Hyam) speak?: Hyam, a language of the Plateau family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Benue-Congo Plateau).

Overview

The Ham, called Jaba by Hausa, are the people of Jaba LGA in southern Kaduna, around Kwoi and Nok, with smaller groups in Keffi.^[2],[3],[1]High confidence

Where the Ham (Hyam) 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.

Kaduna
- Jaba(Homeland)
Nasarawa
- Keffi(Smaller presence)

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

Communities beyond the homeland

Kwoi and Nok

Jaba, Kaduna State: Kwoi, Nok.^[4],[5]High confidence

Jaba LGA, with its capital at Kwoi, is predominantly Ham; its rulers, the Kpop Ham, have been recognised since 1910. The Nok terracottas were first found in the Ham village of Nok, but the Ham only arrived from Kano in the 17th–18th century, long after the Nok culture.^[4],[5]

Language

Hyam, 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).