GBAGYI HISTORY

HISTORY OF GBAGYI LANGUAGE

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 calledGwariby 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[ citation needed]and the Federal Capital Territory. They are also found in Nasarawaand KogiStates 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 authroity 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, Kachiain Kaduna State, Plateau and Nasarawa States.
Significant Gbagyi towns include Minna, Kwakuti, Kwali, Wushapa (Ushafa), Bwaya (Bwari), Suleja 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.
Chibudu, 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.
The Gbagyi were the largest among the ethnic groups that inhabited the land proposed for development when Abuja was chosen as Nigeria's new federal capital. The result of the dislocation was the removal of people from their ancestral homes, from spiritual symbols such as Zuma Rock,
seeing their ancestral land be referred to as no mans land and issues about adjusting to the new environment given by the government. However, many displaced families were given housing but some lived in transit and settlements camps for a long while.
Culture Hand-Built pot by Ladi Kwali (YORYM-2004.1.919)
The Gbagyi people are known to be peace-loving, transparent and accommodating people. Northerners are fond of saying in Hausa languagemuyi shi Gwari Gwari, "let’s do it like the Gbagyi" or "in the Gbagyi way". According to Tanko Chigudu, the Gbagyi people have emerged as a unique breed among Nigerians: their culture shows how much they have come to terms with the universe. Daily they aspire to give life a meaning no matter the situation they find themselves.
The Gbagyi language is part of the Kwasub-division of the Niger- Congo languagefamily, however, some researchers such as Kay Williamsonput the language in the Benue-Congo family.
The people speak two dialects that are sometimes called Gbari (Gwari yamma) and Gbagyi dialects.
The Gbagyi people are adherents of Islam, Christianity and traditional African religion. In their traditional religion some Gbayi believe in a God called Shekwoi (one who was there before their ancestors)
but they also devote themselves to appeasing deities of the god such as Maigiro.
Many Agbagyi believe in reincarnation.
Islam became more prominent among the people after the Fulani jihad while Christianity was introduced to the people by the Sudan Interior Mission (also known locally as Evangelical Church of West Africa.