13 Interesting Facts About the People of Zayam Ethnic Group in Nigeria

This article contains 13 Interesting Facts About the People of the Zayam Ethnic Group in Nigeria. The Zayam people are also called Zeam people because of their language which is the Zeam language belonging to the Benue-Chadic languages. Up until now, not much have being spoken about the Zayam people’s group.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Zayam Ethnic Group

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Zayam Ethnic Group in Nigeria

These interesting facts you are about to read about the people of the Zayam ethnic group in Nigeria will teach you about them;

1. State of Residence in the Country

Bauchi state is the only home state housing the Zayam people of Nigeria.

2. Local Government Area

Bauchi consists of twenty local government areas. They are

Southern region:

  • Bauchi
  • Tafawa Balewa
  • Dass
  • Toro
  • Bogoro
  • Ningi
  • Warji
  • Ganjuwa
  • Kirfi
  • Alkaleri

Northern region:

  • Darazo
  • Misau
  • Glade
  • Shira
  • Jamaare
  • Katagum
  • Itas/Gadau
  • Zaki
  • Gamawa
  • Damban

These local government areas above house the numerous tribes of Bauchi state. The Zayam people have been traced down to just a single local government area which is Toro LGA. But, other people speak otherwise that they may be found in other LGAs of Bauchi state.

3. Population is One of the Interesting Facts About the People of the Zayam Ethnic Group

The entire population estimate of the Zayam people is not known but it is believed that they have an insignificant population in comparison to most tribes in Bauchi state. But in Toro LGA, the entire population is estimated at 350,404 people.

4. Language

The Zayam people speak more Hausa than their main language which is Zeem or Zeam language. This language has been recognized in some parts of the Toro local government area.

5. Religion

In this tribe, the most popular religion is the Hausa religion. Most Zayam people are adopting the ways and culture of the Hausa people and now they have adopted their religion.

6. Ethnicity; Interesting Facts About the People of Zayam Ethnic Group

Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan People

People Cluster: Benue

People Group: Zayam

Ethnic Code: NAB60b

7. History

Not much about their history or origin of settlement in Bauchi state is documented. But, they may have migrated from the east or might have been part of the Hausa tribe since they have resemblances in culture.

8. Neighbouring Tribes

In Toro’s local government area, there are several other tribes like the Zul people, Fulfulde people, Fulani, Kaiwari, Anarubunu, Afizere, Duguza, and other minor tribes.

9. Geography is Among the Interesting Facts About the People of the Zayam Ethnic Group

Toro local government area is the largest local government area in Bauchi state with an area of 6,932 kilometer square. It has a population size of about 350,404 people (2006 population census).

10. District

Toro district, Jama’a district, and also Lame district are the three districts of Toro local government area. The Zeam people and also other tribes are noticeable in these districts.

11. Clans

Despite their insignificant population to the state and Toro town as well, their division is in subgroups which is the clan system. The name of each clan is not popular but these clans come together every once in a while to entertain themselves with music, dance, storytelling, and more.

12. Occupation; Interesting Facts About the People of Zayam Ethnic Group

Agriculture is the most dominant occupation of the Zayam people but they are mostly farmers cultivating their farmland with more of food crops than cash crops. Livestock breeding is second to farming and every other occupation follows.

13. Hierarchy in Family

In a small family unit, the husband is always the head and the wife is the second in command. If he has more than one wife, then the first one he married automatically becomes the second head of the family. But sometimes, some men tend to give positions to their wives based on the number of sons a woman has for them.

In an extended family unit, the head of the entire family is the eldest man of them all. He represents the entire family in council meetings and seems to achieve a good name for the family in the community.

Conclusion

Finally, you can learn more about the Zayam people by studying the northeastern tribes in Nigeria.

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