THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA - WHO ARE WE?

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List of Major Tribes in Nigeria

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and has one of the largest aggregation of ethnic groups in Africa. There are more than 300 Nigerian tribes and among the largest include Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Kanuri, Annang, Tiv, Ibibio, Etsako, and Efik. Other Nigerian tribes apart from the ones listed constitute a smaller percentage of the total number people from all the tribes in Nigeria. It is noteworthy that Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba make up about 70% of the population of Nigeria. These Nigerian tribes have different cultures carried on by their people thereby contributing to the immense cultural diversity seen in the country.

HAUSA TRIBE
Hausa is the largest tribe in Nigeria making up about 29% of Nigeria’s population. They live in the northern part of Nigeria, Southern parts of Niger and west end of Chad Republic. They mostly occupy the towns and villages in Northern parts of Nigeria including: Kano, Kaduna, Biram, Jos, Lafia,  Katsina, Abuja, Sokoto, Bauchi, Birnin Kebbi, Damaturu, Dutse, Gombe, Suleja, Gusau, Jalingo, Jebba, Jos, Lafia, Maiduguri, Makurdi, Yola, Zaria, etc.

No two tribes in Nigeria have exactly the same language but the Hausa language originated and forms part of the Chadic family of Languages which is similar but distantly related to Hebrew and Arabic. In recent times, because of the close similarities between the cultures and lifestyle of Hausa and Fulani, they are often regarded as Hausa-Fulani.

IGBO TRIBE
Igbo is one of the major tribes in Nigeria with an appreciable number of people owing their origin to the Igbo tribe. Historically, they were from the Nri Kingdom, which happens to be the oldest Kingdom in Nigeria. The Igbos are industrious and made bronze ceremonial vessels as part of the culture and heritage dated back to the stone age. Geographically, the Igbo land occupies most of South Eastern Nigeria and some of the major cities include Enugu, Onitsha, Owerri, Asaba, Awka, Abakiliki, Abia, Orlu, etc.

YORUBA TRIBE
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The Yoruba tribe constitute almost 21 % of the population of Nigeria and this translates to about 40 million people. They inhabit the southwestern part of Nigeria but also live in other countries in West Africa including Benin, Ghana, Togo and surprisingly, the Caribbean. They are well involved in arts and have a long history of poetry. Between 1100 to 1700, they made impressive bronze sculptures, most of which were made to represent the heads of gods and rulers. They also made lots of beadwork, metalwork, weaving and mask making.

CREDIT: www.answersafrica.com

Here is the list of tribes in Nigeria.

Hausa

Igbo

Yoruba

Abayon

Abua

Achipa

Adim

Adun

Affade

Afizere

Afo

Agbo

Akaju-Ndem

Akweya yachi

Alago

Amo

Anaguta

Anang

Andoni

Angas

Ankwei

Anyima

Attakar
Auyoka

Awori

Ayu

Babur

Bachama

Bachere

Bada

Bade

Bahumono

Bakuluing

Bali

Bambora

Bambuko

Banada

Banka

Banso

Bara

Barke

Baruba

Bashiri

Bassa

Batta

Baushi

Baya

Bekwarra

Bele

Betso

Benin

Bilei

Bille

Bina

Bini

Birom

Bobua

Boki

Bkkos

Boko

Bole

Botlere

Boma

Bomboro

Buduma

Buji

Buli

Bunu

Bura

Burak

Burma

Buru

Buta

Bwall

Bwatiye

Bwazza

Challa

Chamba

Chamo

Chibok

Daba

Dadiye

Dajka

Dakarkari

Danda

Dangsa

Daza

Degema

Dghwede

Diba

Doemak

Ouguri

Abana

Ebuira

Ebu

Efik

Egbema

Egede

Eggon

Egun

Eket

Ekoi

Epie

Esan

Etche

Etsako

Etung

Palli

Fulani

Geruma

Gira

Gombi

Gude

Gwari

Gwoza

Ibibio

Igala

Idoma

Ijumu

Ika

Ikwerre

Isoko

Isekiri

Kafanchan

Mambilla

Mobber

Nupe

Oron

Opwan

Oworo

Poll

Tiv

Tula

Urhobo

Yagba

CREDIT: www.naijafinder.com