Chadic · Nigeria’s peoples

Karai-Karai

The Karai-Karai live in the borderlands of Yobe, Bauchi and Gombe, around Nangere, Potiskum and Fika.

At a glance

Where do the Karai-Karai people live?: Their homeland is in Nangere in Yobe State, across 1 local government area. They are also a large share of Potiskum in Yobe State.
What language do the Karai-Karai speak?: Karekare, a language of the Chadic family (Afro-Asiatic › Chadic).

Overview

The Karai-Karai live in the borderlands of Yobe, Bauchi and Gombe, around Nangere, Potiskum and Fika. Estimates of their number run from about 400,000 upwards.^[2],[3]High confidence

Where the Karai-Karai 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.

Yobe
- Nangere(Homeland)
- Potiskum(Shared area)
- Damaturu(Smaller presence)
- Fika(Smaller presence)
- Fune(Smaller presence)
- Gujba(Smaller presence)
- Gulani(Smaller presence)
Bauchi
- Dambam(Smaller presence)
- Darazo(Smaller presence)
- Gamawa(Smaller presence)
- Itas/Gadau(Smaller presence)
- Misau(Smaller presence)
- Zaki(Smaller presence)
Gombe
- Dukku(Smaller presence)
- Funakaye(Smaller presence)
- Nafada(Smaller presence)

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

Communities beyond the homeland

Potiskum

Potiskum, Yobe State.^[4]High confidence

Home of the Karai-Karai, Ngizim and Hausa. The town was organised by the Ngizim, who had subjugated the Karai-Karai; its state was formed in 1809 by the Ngizim chief Mai Bauya.^[4]

Language

Karekare, a language of the Chadic family (Afro-Asiatic › Chadic). ISO 639-3: kai.^[1]High confidence

Sources

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