Sons of the soil: the history of the Gbagyi people of Abuja
The history of Abuja was originally the south western part of the ancient Habe (Hausa) Kingdom of Zazzau (Zaria). It was populated for centuries by several semi-independent tribes. The largest of these tribes was the Gbagyi. Other areas where they are predominantly found are in Niger and Kaduna states, and also in Nasarawa, Kogi and Kwara states in central Nigeria. The Gbagyi’s are the most populated ethnic group in the FCT and their major occupation is farming, pottery and hunting. They are the original settlers of Abuja the federal capital city of Nigeria, and the Gbagyi language is the most widespread. They are known to be noble, peace loving accommodating and warm. Their hospitable and cordial nature earned them the phrase ‘ Muyi shi Gwari-Gwari’ ( Which means let’s do it like the Gbagys). Interestingly the word Gwari, which the Gbagyi are famously called, is the name of a particular yam in Gbagyi. The Gbagys are culturally soaked people, who despite the over-whelming forc...