Kaduna Languages

Kaduna comprises many ethnic groups and these groups have their own languages

Most of the languages are spoken in Southern Kaduna.

The languages of Kaduna people are:

  • Acipa
  • Gbagyi
  • Kamuku
  • Rogo
  • Shama-Sambuga
  • T’kurmi
  • Hyam
  • Berom  
  • Fantswam
  • Gyong  
  • Hyam
  •  Jju Kanufi
  • Mada
  •  Kyoli  
  • Nikyob-Kaninkon  
  • Ninzo Nungu
  • Nyankpa
  • Tyuku Zhire
  • Numana
  • Doka  
  • Hyam  
  • Iku-Gora-Ankwa
  • Nghan  
  • Koro Wachi
  • Kuturmi
  • Zhire
  • Koro Wachi
  • Ajiya
  • Kuce  
  • Gbagyi
  • Shuwa-Zamani
  • Gworok  
  • Iten  
  • Takad  
  • Sholyio  
  • Tyap 
  • Abisi
  • Bina
  • Dungu
  • Jere  
  • Ikulu
  • Kaivi
  • Kinuku
  • Koono
  • Mala
  •  Rigwe
  • Ruma
  • Sheni
  • T’kurmi  
  • Tsam
  • Tumi  
  • Tyap
  • Vono
  • Vori
  •  Hausa
  • Amo
  • Bina
  • Janji
  • Lemoro
  • Lere
  • Sanga
  • Tugbiri-Niragu
  • Ahwai
  • Ayu
  • Bu
  • Gwandara
  • Hasha  
  • Ninzo
  • Numana  
  • Nungu  
  • Sambe
  • Sha
  • Toro
  • Nghan
Map of Kaduna State

Kaduna languages by LGA (Local Government Area)

LGALanguages
Birnin GwariAcipa, Eastern; Gbagyi; Kamuku; Rogo; Shama-Sambuga
ChikunGbagyi
GiwaHausa
IgabiHausa and Gbagyi
IkaraHausa and T’kurmi
JabaAshe; Duya; Hyam
Jema’aAshe; Berom; Duya; Fantswam; Gyong; Hyam; Jju; Kanufi; Mada; Kyoli; Nikyob-Kaninkon; Ninzo; Nungu; Nyankpa; Shamang; Tyap; Tyuku Zhire; Numana
KachiaAdara; Doka; Gbagyi; Hyam; Iku-Gora-Ankwa; Ikulu; Jju; Nghan; Koro Wachi; Kuturmi; Shamang; Tyap; Zhire
KagarkoAshe; Duya; Gbagyi; Koro Wachi
KajuruAdara; Ajiya; Kuce; Gbagyi; Shuwa-Zamani
KauraGworok; Iten; Takad; Sholyio; Tyap and Tyecarak (Tyecaat)
KauruAbisi; Bina; Dungu; Jere; Ikulu; Kaivi; Kinuku; Koono; Mala; Rigwe; Ruma; Sheni; T’kurmi; Tsam; Tumi; Tyap; Vono; Vori and Hausa
LereAmo; Bina; Janji; Lemoro; Lere; Sanga; Tugbiri-Niragu and Hausa
MakarfiHausa
Sabon GariHausa
SangaAhwai; Ayu; Bu; Gwandara; Hasha; Ninzo; Numana; Nungu; Sambe; Sha; Toro
SobaHausa and Gbagyi
Zangon KatafIkulu; Jju; Nghan; and Tyap; Tyecarak (Tyecaat)
ZariaHausa

Other languages in Kaduna State are Bacama, Firan, and Sambe.

Kaduna State comprises over 63 ethnic groups namely:

  • Abinu (also known as Binawa)
  • Ada (also known as Kuturmi)
  • Adara (also known as Kadara)
  • Agbiri (also known as Gure)
  • Akurmi (labelled Kurama by the Hausa)
  • Anghan (also known as Kamanton by the Hausa)
  • Amo
  • Aniragu (also known as Kahugu)
  • Aruruma (named Ruruma by the Hausa)
  • Asholio (also known as Moro’a)
  • Atachaat (also known as Kachechere)
  • Atuku
  • Atyap (also known as Kataf by the Hausa)
  • Ayu
  • Bajju (also known as Kaje by the Hausa)
  • Bakulu (Ikulu by the Hausa)
  • Bhazar (named Koro)
  • Bur (Sanga)
  • Dingi
  • Fantswam (also known as Kafanchan)
  • Fulani
  • Gbagyi-Gbari (Gwari in Hausa)
  • Gwandara
  • Gwong (Kagoma in Hausa)
  • Ham (also known as Jaba in Hausa, which is a derogatory name)
  • Hausa
  • Ikulu
  • Jangi (also known as Gwari by the Hausa)
  • Kaivi (also known as Kaibi)
  • Kanufi
  • Kanuri
  • Kigono
  • Kinugu
  • Kitimi
  • Kiwafa
  • Kiwollo
  • Koro
  • Kubvori (also known as Surubu)
  • Mada (Mardan) Mada must have migrated during colonial rule
  • Marghi
  • Nandu
  • Nduyah
  • Numana
  • Nindem
  • Ningeshe
  • Ninkyop
  • Ninzo
  • Nyenkpa (Yeskwa)
  • Oegworok (also known as Kagoro)
  • Pikal
  • Pitti
  • Ribang
  • Rishuwa
  • Rumada
  • Ruruma
  • Rumayya
  • Shemawa
  • Siyawa (Bauchi state?)
  • Takad (also known as Attakar)
  • Tarri
  • Tsam (also known as Chawai)