Jenjo people
Total population
100,000 (2020)
Languages
Jen language
Related ethnic groups
Mumuye
Bata
Jukun

The Jenjo, also known as Janjo, Jen, Dza, Gwomo, and Karenjo, are an ethnic group in Nigeria. They are mostly found in Karim Lamido, Jalingo and Ibi in Taraba State. The Jenjos speak the Jen language which is under the Bikwin–Jenan branch of the Adamawa languages.[1] The population of the Jenjo people today is around 100,000 people.[2]

Origin

The Jenjo people are of Bata origin, they migrated into the area known as Taraba state today from either Lamurde or Numan in today's Adamawa state. This migration was likely a result of a conflict between them and the Bata rulers.[3]

The Jenjo people later played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Muri emirate resulting from their early alliance with the Fulbe jihadists.[3]

Notable Jenjo people

References

  1. ^ Olson, James Stuart (1996). The Peoples of Africa: An Ethnohistorical Dictionary. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 251. ISBN 978-0-313-27918-8.
  2. ^ Benson, Peace (2020). "IDEOPHONES IN DZƏ (JENJO), AN ADAMAWA LANGUAGE OF NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA" (PDF). Language in Africa: 336–352.
  3. ^ a b Ali, Bello; Lawal, Salihu. "A Review of Historical Perspectives on Traditions of Origin and Migration of Selected Ethnic Groups in the Northern Senatorial Zone of Taraba State" (PDF). ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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