The Pyem people (Pyam; Hausa: Fyam, Genawa) are found mainly in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Middle Belt (central) Nigeria.[3] They speak the Pyem language, a Plateau language.[4] Their headquarters are in the town of Gindiri, about 51 km due southwest of the city of Jos.
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 25,000[1][2] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Nigeria | |
| Languages | |
| Pyem | |
| Religion | |
| Islam, Christianity, Ethnic religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Afizere, Irigwe, Berom, Ron |
History
editThe Pyem people were said to have migrated from the Gobir Kingdom when Bawa Jangwarzo (1777-1795) reigned as king. The people left in two groups. One group established a settlement in Tulai, located southeast of Gindiri, and the second group in an area located in Bokkos.[5]
The Pyem came from Gobir while a splinter group went to Lankan and later left again to Bokkos and founded the Ron.
— C.G. Ames., Reconstructing The Origins Of The Peoples Of Plateau State: Questioning The "We Are All Settlers" Theory., Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria[6]
In one of Ames' contexts, a part of the migrants migrated to Pengiji, founding the Pyem people. A part of the people then moved to Fier from Pengiji and intermarried with an offshoot of the Ngas people. Furthermore, a large portion of them subsequently left for Lankan, in Mupunland, and again journeyed through . From there, through Mwaghavulland and then settled finally in the Bokkos area where they became the Ron people.[7]
Demographics
editDistribution
editThe Pyem people today are mainly found in the Pyem Chiefdom in Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. Some of their towns include Gindiri, Chanso, Kaduna, Pyem, Dyere (also Pengiji) and Badni.[5]
Religion
editAccording to Joshua Project, the Pyem people are 50% Muslim, 40% Christian, with 10% practicing ethnic religion.[1]
Language
editThe Pyem people speak a Plateau language related to Horom.[8]
In 2018, the Ba-Pyam Azonci Association with support from some U.S. partners, commissioned the publication of books in Pyem to save it from going extinct. Examples of such books are Shalai na Waari na DePyam, "Reading and Writing in Pyem"; Beer, Kwor, Na Cikam Arye, "Relationship, Counting, Proverbs, Names, and Directions"; etc.[5]
Politics
editHistory
editThe Pyem people were initially led by a priest-king, the Hwali-bwangha. The leadership Council had six members.[5]
Present-day
editToday, most Pyem people are located in the Pyem Chiefdom, with headquarters in the town of Gindiri. The Chiefdom is led by the Sum Pyem, who as of 2021 was Sum Charles Mato Dakat,[9] a second class chief.[10]
Notable people
edit- Ibrahim Mantu (1947 – 2021), Nigerian deputy Senate President (2001 – 2007).
- Eliezer Paul-Gindiri, U.S. amateur golfer
- Ilijah Paul (b. 2002), U.S. soccer player
References
edit- ^ a b "Fyem in Nigeria". Joshua Project. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ "Pyam". Ethnologue. SIL International. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ^ "Mangu Local Government Area". Plateau State Government. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ "People Groups: Pyem". International Mission Board. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Adama, Dickson S. (November 8, 2018). "Pyam Nation Moves To Revive Language, Publishes Books In Mother Tongue". Jos. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ Fwatshak, S. U. (2005). "Reconstructing the Origins of the Peoples of Plateau State: Questioning the "We Are All Settlers" Theory". Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria. 16: 122–140. JSTOR 41857137.
- ^ Mangut, Macham (January 2015). "An Archaeological Survey of Mangor in Ronland on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria". Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ "Pyam Dictionary". SIL International. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ "Comprehensive College Gindiri: 86 Years And Still Standing". Daily Trust. December 4, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ Nanmwa, Golok. "Gov Lalong approves the creation of new chiefdoms in Plateau". Viewpoint Nigeria. Jos. Retrieved June 18, 2024.