Indigeneity & Identity In Nasarawa’s Linguistic Landscape
By GREY AKANS
Indigenous Languages and the Historical Fabric of Nasarawa
A Linguistic History Older Than the State
NASARAWA State’s linguistic diversity predates the state itself. Long before colonial and postcolonial boundaries were drawn, numerous ethnic communities occupied the region, each developing languages shaped by geography, trade, and intergroup relations. These languages form a living archive of Nasarawa’s deep past.
Plateau and Benue-Congo Lineages
A significant number of Nasarawa’s indigenous languages belong to the Plateau branch of the Benue-Congo family, including Eggon, Mada, Ninzo, Nungu, and Yeskwa. These languages reflect ancient settlement patterns tied to hills, valleys, and farming communities that relied on relative isolation to preserve linguistic uniqueness.
The Idomoid group, represented by Alago and Agatu, connects Nasarawa historically to broader Benue Valley civilisations. Their languages reveal migration histories, kinship systems, and political traditions that extend beyond present-day state borders.
Chadic and Borderland Influences
Not all indigenous languages in Nasarawa are Benue-Congo. Gwandara, a Chadic language, stands apart from Hausa despite superficial similarities, reminding scholars that linguistic classification often masks deeper historical distinctions. Border communities speaking Tiv, Egbira Toto, and Kambari further illustrate Nasarawa’s role as a cultural frontier rather than a homogeneous entity.
Languages such as Gade, Koro, Afo (Eloyi), Arum-Tesu, Buh, Kulere, Kantana, Atoroh, and Gbagyi represent smaller but historically significant groups whose identities are rooted firmly in local landscapes.
Hausa, Fulfulde and the Question of Indigeneity
Although Hausa and Fulfulde dominate public life today, their presence reflects centuries of migration, trade, and political expansion rather than original settlement. They function primarily as languages of communication across ethnic boundaries, unlike indigenous languages tied to ancestral land.
Understanding this distinction is essential for discussions about indigeneity, cultural rights, and identity politics in Nasarawa State.
Why These Languages Matter
Each indigenous language encodes history, values, and environmental knowledge that cannot be fully translated. Their erosion would mean the loss of unique perspectives on governance, conflict resolution, and coexistence—lessons increasingly relevant in Nigeria’s diverse society.
