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Ninzo people

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ninzo
Total population
131,000[1]
Regions with significant populations
Nigeria
Languages
Ninzo
Religion
Christianity, Islam, Traditional Religion
Related ethnic groups
Nikyob-Nindem, Mada, Ham, Koro, Atyap, Berom, Jukun

Ninzo people (also Gbhu and Ninzam[1][2]), are an ethnic group in the Middle Belt who speak the Ninzo language, a western Plateau language of Nigeria.[3] The speakers of the Sambe language, a now presumed extinct language spoken in a village with same name have now incorporated with the Ninzo.[4]

Demographics

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Distribution

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The Ninzo people are found in Sanga LGA of southern Kaduna State[5] and Akwanga LGA of Nasarawa State, Nigeria[1]

Population

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An estimation placed the population of the Ninzo people at around 131,000.[1]

Religion

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Ninzo religion

  Christianity (64.0%)
  Islam (31.0%)

About 64% of the Ninzo are Christian, 31% Muslim and 5% adherents of Traditional religion.[1]

Politics

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The Ninzo people are traditionally governed by rulers called the Uchu Ninzo. The Uchu Ninzo, a Second Class Chief, as of 2018 is Uchu (Alh.) Umar Musa.[6] The Ninzo Chiefdom headquarters is at Hate (H. Fadan Wate or Fadan Ninzo).[7]

Language

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The Ninzo people speak a Ninzic language, belonging to the western Plateau group of languages.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Joshua project entry titled 'Ninzo in Nigeria'
  2. ^ "People Groups". Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  3. ^ Ethnologue entry on Ninzo
  4. ^ Blench, Roger (2001). "Foundation for Endangered Languages". ogmios. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  5. ^ "Sanga, Kaduna State, Nigeria". Mindat.com. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  6. ^ Ali, Ahmed (September 9, 2018). "Thrills as Ninzo monarch mounts saddle". PressReader. Kafanchan: Daily Trust. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  7. ^ "Composition of the State's Council of Chiefs". Ministry of Local Government Affairs | Kaduna State Government. Retrieved December 26, 2021.