Gbagyi people
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| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Islam and Traditional African religion |
Gbagyi or Gbari (plural - Agbagyi) is the name and the language of Gbagyi/Gbari ethnic group who are predominantly found in Central Nigeria Area with. Population of about 15million people. Members of the ethnic group speak two dialects. While speakers of the dialects were loosely called Gwari by both the Hausa Fulani and Europeans during pre-colonial Nigeria but they prefer to be known as Gbagyi. They live in the Niger, Kaduna, States and the Federal Capital Territory. They are also found in Nasarawa and Kogi States in central Nigeria Area. Gbagyi is the most populated ethnic and indigenous group in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria and their major occupation is farming.
Historically, the Gbayi practice a patrilineal kinship system. The lowest tier of authority is found in the extended family compound led by the oldest male. The compound consist of small huts and rectangular buildings. The Osu (king) is the highest tier of authority in a Gbagyi settlement and he is assisted by a group of elders.
The Gbagyi people are predominantly farmers but they are also hunters while some are involved making traditional arts and craft products such as pottery and woodwork like mortar and pestle. Gbagyi are good with mixing clay to produce decorative household products such as pots.
The Gbagyi people are found in different various locations in Central Nigeria. They inhabit the western parts of Abuja, southern Niger State, [[Chikun Local Government with its headquarters at Kujama] in Kaduna State, Plateau and Nasarawa States. Significant Gbagyi towns include Minna, Kwakuti, Kwali, Wushapa (Ushafa), Bwaya (Bwari), Suleja, Diko and Paiko. There are some theories that posits a reason for the scattered settlements and migration of the Gbagyi people. Some historians believe the Gbagyi were displaced from their original settlements during the Fulani Jihad, while some local historians link migration with the need for farmland by the Gbayi. Chigudu, pp. 1-2
Gbagyi settlemetns can be both large and small. In locations were farming is the dominant occupation, the settlements tend to be small so that enough land is available for farming.
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