A Close study of the Gbagyis in FCT
BY OLABODE GBENGA
Very few residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT know much about the Gbagyi tribe, otherwise known as the Gwari. These are the original settlers of Abuja. The challenges they face in the advent of massive transformation of their hitherto serene agrarian settlements, make for a very moving story.
Gwari (also spelled Gbagyi and Gbari) are an ethnic group in central Nigeria. They are predominantly found in Niger and Kaduna States, and the Federal Capital Territory. The language is an intrinsic part of the Kwa or Benue Congo group of languages. Many years before the carving out of the Federal Capital Territory as the seat of power, the area was predominantly populated by this great tribe. With the decision of the authorities to turn the area into a capital city, the people who are mostly farmers, craftsmen, artisans and great potters, were persuaded to give out their farmland and settlements for the actualization of the national vision. Years after this, many Gbagyis still feel that the Federal Government has cheated them, and deprived them of their lands and heritage.
Based on the extensive work on the historical evolution of this culture, it was noted that the modernization of the area now known as the Federal Capital Territory was essentially an aftermath of an agrarian community filled with simple minded Gbagyis who were living in tranquility, before the rapid influx of residents from different cultures and tribal backgrounds. This is a form of urban violence. Furthermore, the majority of the Gbagyis are still yet to come to terms with this dizzying transformation.
'There are certainly both negative and positive impacts of this transformation on the Gbagyi, as a former host community. The results are very clear for all to see. One of these is that the Gbagyi people are now mixed with people that are more advanced in modernity, and have come from virtually all parts of the country, where the Gbagyis have never been. These people have migrated here looking for their own means of survival and livelihood. We all know Abuja is a growing economically, and it naturally attracts people from all backgrounds. It attracts people not only from the urban areas, but the rural areas as well. The Gbagyi people before this were living in a quiet environment, and carrying out their farming activities. Suddenly, new groups start coming. These brought with them new cultures and were rather nonchalant to the cultural sensibility and diversity of the host people. So, you can understand that they are now exposed to different kinds of cultures beyond their wildest imagination, and the effects seem to be devastating to the ordinary Gbagyi man.
Gbagyi’s Adherence nature to culture
The culture of Gbagyi is regarded as an ancient culture which is comparable in age and beauty to the famed Nok culture in Kaduna State. They have relatively remained unaffected by the attractions of modernity. Interestingly, their women are known for carrying heavy loads (at times reaching several meters high into the sky) only on their shoulder. This has been an olden tradition which is strictly adhered to by all Gbagyi children till date. They believe that the head is the most sacred part of the body, which is already saddled with the task of thinking for the whole body, and therefore should not be over burdened.
The Gbagyis are cultured and give respect to everyone they come across. They are not proud, and at the same time they are not to be taken for granted. You give them their respect and they respect you in return. As long as you do not stop them from going to their farms, they keep out of your way too.'
Hardworking nature of the Gbagyis
Considering urban economy, it was not what the Gbagyi people were used to. They were used to a simple agrarian setting, now overnight, their land has been taken away, and they are left in the lurch because their means of livelihood have been taken away by the authorities. They have had to painfully adjust to the new state of affairs. Thus you now see them going to apply for menial jobs in construction sites, moulding blocks, doing the jobs of Security Guards, Water Vendor or even House Servants. You can imagine the hardship somebody will face having a large family. Now he could no longer farm. You see, in other advanced climes, it is regarded as a violation of a people's fundamental human rights. One, you are in your ancestral land, but you cannot participate in the lucrative economic activities taking place there. These are people that were promised resettlement by the authorities. However the money from the Federal Government is not forthcoming and no one appears to be concerned about how these people are faring generally.' Though, their hardworking nature had been very interesting especially the womenfolk. As early as 5 o'clock in the morning you see the women with their characteristic load strung over their shoulders, and their men holding on to farm implements. Their farms are many kilometers away, and it takes them not less than three hours to walk there. By 9 pm or at most 10 o clock they are back at their selling points with the Gbagyi yams which everyone loves buying due to its affordability. They do not look for trouble, and only respond violently if threatened.
Festive nature of the Gbagyi
With the Gbagyi, there is always something to celebrate. Their colourful festivities are performed to mark the burial of their loved ones, marriages, naming ceremonies and sacrifices to their gods
Recently the Gbagyi people of New Karu in Nasarawa State celebrated its 2009 cultural festival at New Karu Local Government Area. It was indeed a time of fanfare and a rich display of cultural richness that attracted not only nationals from other tribes, but tourists who came to savor the unique culture.
In his speech at the occasion the Traditional Head of Karu, Etsu Luka Panya Baba enthused that the Gbagyi people have decided to open a museum to preserve their cultural heritage. He noted further that the museum, when built would, preserve the remains of their surviving traditional and cultural artifacts and appliances, in such a manner that will boost the Gbagyi culture, education and inter-ethnic relations.
Religious characteristics of the Gbagyis
They are also deeply religious. They form the majority of the congregations in churches like Evangelical Church of West Africa, ECWA.
A very close watch on the Gbagyi also revealed that on Sunday morning, they are found to line up on the streets going to their respective churches in groups as if they are going on military parade. This is an aspect of their lifestyle that is also interesting.
The fashion life of the Gbagyis
The Gbagyi, despite the trends of modernity, still retain an appealing simplicity which is not enticed by the lures of wealth and glamour: their women are simply dressed in their traditional wrappers and for some, blouses, even their young maidens, and of course the elderly men who are equally not dressed flamboyantly. Only their young men appear to be caving in to the modern way of life through their more glamorous lifestyle.
Education lifestyle of the Gbagyis
With the introduction of government intervention in education, most Gbagyi are found in schools: primary, secondary, tertiary institutions. These have adversely affected their lifestyle and language. The learned one even speaks more of English language than their mother tongue. My Intense conversation with a cross section of Gbagyi children reveals that modern trends seem to have absorbed them more than their traditional roots. Theresa, who assists her mother to sell yams and her friend, Mary, are two Gbagyi teenagers who speak more of English than their native tongue. They only manage to utter a few of Gbagyi greetings. Neme, a boisterous 3 year old speaks near perfect English, to the amazement of those who listen to her.
Expectations of the Gbagyis
Members of the tribe interestingly can be found in several parts of the capital city especially in suburban area such as Jikwoyi, Mararaba, Karu, Kuje, Orozo, Karshi, Nyanyan, New Nyanyan, Mabushi, Mpape, Kpegi, Kurudu and even as far as Gwagwalada, Rubochi, Abaji and Gwargwada, to mention a few. However despite their simplicity, they are still looking forward to a complete settlement from the authorities for taking over their land. Presently not up to one-tenth of the total population have been compensated, even though they constitute over 86% of the indigenous population, the minority tribes such as Gade, Egbira, Fulani, Koro and Gwandara.
Perhaps the reserved Gwari may eventually accept other settlers from around the country, as co-inheritors of their ancestral abode, which is slowly becoming a global standard capital city.
BY OLABODE GBENGA
Very few residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT know much about the Gbagyi tribe, otherwise known as the Gwari. These are the original settlers of Abuja. The challenges they face in the advent of massive transformation of their hitherto serene agrarian settlements, make for a very moving story.
Gwari (also spelled Gbagyi and Gbari) are an ethnic group in central Nigeria. They are predominantly found in Niger and Kaduna States, and the Federal Capital Territory. The language is an intrinsic part of the Kwa or Benue Congo group of languages. Many years before the carving out of the Federal Capital Territory as the seat of power, the area was predominantly populated by this great tribe. With the decision of the authorities to turn the area into a capital city, the people who are mostly farmers, craftsmen, artisans and great potters, were persuaded to give out their farmland and settlements for the actualization of the national vision. Years after this, many Gbagyis still feel that the Federal Government has cheated them, and deprived them of their lands and heritage.
Based on the extensive work on the historical evolution of this culture, it was noted that the modernization of the area now known as the Federal Capital Territory was essentially an aftermath of an agrarian community filled with simple minded Gbagyis who were living in tranquility, before the rapid influx of residents from different cultures and tribal backgrounds. This is a form of urban violence. Furthermore, the majority of the Gbagyis are still yet to come to terms with this dizzying transformation.
'There are certainly both negative and positive impacts of this transformation on the Gbagyi, as a former host community. The results are very clear for all to see. One of these is that the Gbagyi people are now mixed with people that are more advanced in modernity, and have come from virtually all parts of the country, where the Gbagyis have never been. These people have migrated here looking for their own means of survival and livelihood. We all know Abuja is a growing economically, and it naturally attracts people from all backgrounds. It attracts people not only from the urban areas, but the rural areas as well. The Gbagyi people before this were living in a quiet environment, and carrying out their farming activities. Suddenly, new groups start coming. These brought with them new cultures and were rather nonchalant to the cultural sensibility and diversity of the host people. So, you can understand that they are now exposed to different kinds of cultures beyond their wildest imagination, and the effects seem to be devastating to the ordinary Gbagyi man.
Gbagyi’s Adherence nature to culture
The culture of Gbagyi is regarded as an ancient culture which is comparable in age and beauty to the famed Nok culture in Kaduna State. They have relatively remained unaffected by the attractions of modernity. Interestingly, their women are known for carrying heavy loads (at times reaching several meters high into the sky) only on their shoulder. This has been an olden tradition which is strictly adhered to by all Gbagyi children till date. They believe that the head is the most sacred part of the body, which is already saddled with the task of thinking for the whole body, and therefore should not be over burdened.
The Gbagyis are cultured and give respect to everyone they come across. They are not proud, and at the same time they are not to be taken for granted. You give them their respect and they respect you in return. As long as you do not stop them from going to their farms, they keep out of your way too.'
Hardworking nature of the Gbagyis
Considering urban economy, it was not what the Gbagyi people were used to. They were used to a simple agrarian setting, now overnight, their land has been taken away, and they are left in the lurch because their means of livelihood have been taken away by the authorities. They have had to painfully adjust to the new state of affairs. Thus you now see them going to apply for menial jobs in construction sites, moulding blocks, doing the jobs of Security Guards, Water Vendor or even House Servants. You can imagine the hardship somebody will face having a large family. Now he could no longer farm. You see, in other advanced climes, it is regarded as a violation of a people's fundamental human rights. One, you are in your ancestral land, but you cannot participate in the lucrative economic activities taking place there. These are people that were promised resettlement by the authorities. However the money from the Federal Government is not forthcoming and no one appears to be concerned about how these people are faring generally.' Though, their hardworking nature had been very interesting especially the womenfolk. As early as 5 o'clock in the morning you see the women with their characteristic load strung over their shoulders, and their men holding on to farm implements. Their farms are many kilometers away, and it takes them not less than three hours to walk there. By 9 pm or at most 10 o clock they are back at their selling points with the Gbagyi yams which everyone loves buying due to its affordability. They do not look for trouble, and only respond violently if threatened.
Festive nature of the Gbagyi
With the Gbagyi, there is always something to celebrate. Their colourful festivities are performed to mark the burial of their loved ones, marriages, naming ceremonies and sacrifices to their gods
Recently the Gbagyi people of New Karu in Nasarawa State celebrated its 2009 cultural festival at New Karu Local Government Area. It was indeed a time of fanfare and a rich display of cultural richness that attracted not only nationals from other tribes, but tourists who came to savor the unique culture.
In his speech at the occasion the Traditional Head of Karu, Etsu Luka Panya Baba enthused that the Gbagyi people have decided to open a museum to preserve their cultural heritage. He noted further that the museum, when built would, preserve the remains of their surviving traditional and cultural artifacts and appliances, in such a manner that will boost the Gbagyi culture, education and inter-ethnic relations.
Religious characteristics of the Gbagyis
They are also deeply religious. They form the majority of the congregations in churches like Evangelical Church of West Africa, ECWA.
A very close watch on the Gbagyi also revealed that on Sunday morning, they are found to line up on the streets going to their respective churches in groups as if they are going on military parade. This is an aspect of their lifestyle that is also interesting.
The fashion life of the Gbagyis
The Gbagyi, despite the trends of modernity, still retain an appealing simplicity which is not enticed by the lures of wealth and glamour: their women are simply dressed in their traditional wrappers and for some, blouses, even their young maidens, and of course the elderly men who are equally not dressed flamboyantly. Only their young men appear to be caving in to the modern way of life through their more glamorous lifestyle.
Education lifestyle of the Gbagyis
With the introduction of government intervention in education, most Gbagyi are found in schools: primary, secondary, tertiary institutions. These have adversely affected their lifestyle and language. The learned one even speaks more of English language than their mother tongue. My Intense conversation with a cross section of Gbagyi children reveals that modern trends seem to have absorbed them more than their traditional roots. Theresa, who assists her mother to sell yams and her friend, Mary, are two Gbagyi teenagers who speak more of English than their native tongue. They only manage to utter a few of Gbagyi greetings. Neme, a boisterous 3 year old speaks near perfect English, to the amazement of those who listen to her.
Expectations of the Gbagyis
Members of the tribe interestingly can be found in several parts of the capital city especially in suburban area such as Jikwoyi, Mararaba, Karu, Kuje, Orozo, Karshi, Nyanyan, New Nyanyan, Mabushi, Mpape, Kpegi, Kurudu and even as far as Gwagwalada, Rubochi, Abaji and Gwargwada, to mention a few. However despite their simplicity, they are still looking forward to a complete settlement from the authorities for taking over their land. Presently not up to one-tenth of the total population have been compensated, even though they constitute over 86% of the indigenous population, the minority tribes such as Gade, Egbira, Fulani, Koro and Gwandara.
Perhaps the reserved Gwari may eventually accept other settlers from around the country, as co-inheritors of their ancestral abode, which is slowly becoming a global standard capital city.
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