List Of Indigenous Tribes, Languages, And Ethnic Groups In Plateau State, Nigeria
Plateau State, located in north-central Nigeria, is one of the most ethnically diverse states in the country. With over 50 indigenous ethnic groups, the state is known for its rich cultural heritage, unique traditions, and diverse languages. Below is a comprehensive list of the major indigenous tribes, their languages, and the local government areas (LGAs) where they are predominantly found.
Indigenous Tribes, Languages, and Ethnic Groups in Plateau State
Ethnic Group |
Language Spoken |
Local Government Areas (LGAs) Found |
Berom (Birom) |
Berom |
Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Riyom |
Ngas (Angas) |
Ngas |
Pankshin, Kanke |
Tarok |
Tarok |
Langtang North, Langtang South |
Goemai |
Goemai |
Shendam, Mikang, Quan’pan |
Mwaghavul |
Mwaghavul |
Mangu |
Ron (Rong) |
Ron |
Bokkos |
Afizere (Izere) |
Izere |
Jos East, Jos North |
Mupun |
Mupun |
Pankshin |
Pyem (Pyen) |
Pyem |
Mangu, Gindiri |
Jipal |
Jipal |
Bokkos |
Anaguta |
Anaguta |
Jos North |
Chip |
Chip |
Pankshin |
Buji |
Buji |
Bassa |
Boghom (Bokos) |
Boghom |
Kanam |
Miship (Chip) |
Miship |
Pankshin |
Jukun |
Jukun |
Wase |
Yiwom (Gerka) |
Yiwom |
Shendam |
Kwalla |
Kwalla |
Qua’an Pan |
Kofyar |
Kofyar |
Qua’an Pan |
Bijim |
Bijim |
Langtang |
Montol |
Montol |
Qua’an Pan |
Tal |
Tal |
Pankshin |
Kadung |
Kadung |
Mangu |
Pan |
Pan |
Qua’an Pan |
Piapsa |
Piapsa |
Qua’an Pan |
Dwang |
Dwang |
Mangu |
Bashar |
Bashar |
Wase |
Rindire |
Rindire |
Bokkos |
Lupwe |
Lupwe |
Langtang |
Garkawa |
Garkawa |
Mikang |
Doemak (Dimmuk) |
Doemak |
Quan’pan |
Key Highlights of Plateau State’s Ethnic Diversity
- Linguistic Diversity – Plateau State is home to over 50 indigenous languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse states in Nigeria.
- Cultural Festivals – Each ethnic group has its own festivals and celebrations, including the Nzem Berom Festival (Berom), Pusdung Festival (Ngas), Ilum O’Tarok Festival (Tarok), and Pan Festival (Goemai).
- Traditional Leadership – Major traditional rulers in Plateau State include the Gbong Gwom Jos (Berom), Ngolong Ngas (Ngas), Long Goemai (Goemai), and Mishkaham Mwaghavul (Mwaghavul).
- Economic Activities – The people of Plateau State are known for agriculture, mining, blacksmithing, and craft making.
Plateau State is a cultural powerhouse, with its diverse ethnic groups playing a major role in the state’s history, traditions, and economic activities.