The Gwari tribe in Abuja Emirate
Date
1961
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lagos State: Federal Government Printing Department,
Abstract
History; Gwari Customs; Religious beliefs and customs; Superstition; Birth customs; Tribal Marks; Training children; Hunting; Marriage customs; Death ceremonies; Heritage; Musical Instruments; Occupations; Settlement of Disputes; General Administration; Land Tenure
Description
The Gwaris are a large tribe scattered over Benue, Niger, Zaria and Kabba Provinces, but this essay deals only with the two groups of Gwari living in Abuja Emirate: The Gwarin-Genge and the Gwarin- amma (The Gwari of the West). The Gwarin Genge call the Gwarin-Yamm ‘Gbawyi’ and the Gwarin-Yamma call the Gwarin-Genge ‘Matayi’. They understand each other but their language differs in dialect and pronunciation. The Gwarin-Genge are more courageous and daring than the Gwarin-Yamma; in olden times they were among the best in the army of Abuja. The titles of Jarmai and Hauni—Emir’s Body-guards—were exclusively held by the Gwarin-Genge they were the chief warriors in times of war. Jarmai Kauran-Chachi is a notable figure in Abuja history. But the Gwarin-Yamma devote their main energies to farming and are the greatest producers of yams in the Emirate. They also grow cash-crops like cotton, benniseed, calabashes and palm-kernels in large quantities. The Gwarin-Yamma again are divided into two sections: those who live south of the River Usuma in the Kwali area arc called ‘ Sumakwa’ and those who live north of the River Usuma in the Paikon-Kore area up to Izom are called ‘Zubakwa’. The ‘Zubakwa’ Gwarin-Yamma have adopted most of the Koro and Hausa customs and they practice circumcision. Both sections speak the same language and differ only in certain customs