Nzem Berom: Celebrating cultural heritage

By Agabus Pwanagba, Jos

Plateau is home to over 53 ethnic groups, cutting across 17 Local Government Areas. At least for the third year running in a decade, after waiting for eight years since the last festival was held, the Berom, the predominant group in Plateau State, recently, celebrated Nzem festival, a festival of unity among members of the ethnic group who are dominant in four Local Government Areas of the “Home of Peace, Tourism and Hospitality” in Nigeria, writes AGABUS PWANAGBA from
Jos.

The Berom people are predominantly found in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria.
Their homeland covers Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas, with pockets of their population found in Jos East, Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas of Plateau State and Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Berom are neighbours, to the north with Anaguta and Anabuze (Buji), the Afizere to the north-east, Bacce (Rukuba) and Irigwe (Miango) to the north-west, to the south-west they share boundary with the Aten and Takad, to the south are the Ron and Kulere, while to the south-east of the state, they share boundary with Mwaghavul, all in Plateau State.

Some versions of Berom history hold that, the Berom are autochthonous to the Plateau area, implying that there is no known migration of the Berom from anywhere.

However, some versions believe that some migration occurred from the North African sub-region through Niger Republic, Sokoto and subsequently to the Jos-Plateau.

The Berom people are predominantly agrarian, cultivating crops such as Fanio (Acha), maize, millet, Irish/sweet potatoes, guinea corn among others.

Among the popular Berom festivals and rites are Mandieng, Vwana, Badu’u, Nshok, Ngasang among others.

To a large extent, these festivals celebrate crop harvest, hunting expeditions, circumcision and the onset of the rains; and the festivals are usually celebrated between November and May every year.

However, the Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO), instituted Nzem Beromin 1981 as a unifying cultural festival of the Berom, to be celebrated centrally in Jos and the festival is held every year, to herald the commencement of the farming season.

After declaring the event open, the Gbong Gwom Jos and the Chairman Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, His Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba has appealed to politicians not to venture into any action that will create undue and unnecessary tension that will worsen security of lives and property ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Buba disclosed during the 2022 Nzem Berom annual Cultural Festival with a theme: “Celebrating the Berom in Politics” held at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium Jos, the Plateau State Capital.

“The whole nation today is in a frenzy with heightened political activities and movements as the reality of the 2023 general elections draw nearer.

“This frenzy comes with the unrealistic political promises and gimmicks that are used to lure the very impoverished voters, whose votes may at the end not even count.

“May we at this point plead with the political class to water down the undue and in fact unnecessary tension and the worsening insecurity that comes with the advent of elections.

“We also wish to remind government at all levels and fellow traditional rulers that at the end of it all, we shall give account of our stewardship to the Creator of the universe, whom we all claim to worship.”

The Gbong Gwom reminded both the Federal and State Governments that most Berom people and people from different parts of the state who were displaced as a result of insecurity are yet to return to their ancestral homes.

“May I use this opportunity to remind the Federal Government and the Inspector-General Police of their promise to set up a Mobile Base in Gashish District of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau, as this is yet to be actualized.

“The displaced natives of this district cannot go back to their ancestral lands to pursue their agrarian vocation, raise and train their children since the security threats still exist in the area. We plead for reconsideration of this promise.”

In his remarks, Governor, Simon Lalong urged the Berom to participate in political discourse in Plateau and mobilize the citizens to actively participate in politics.

Lalong appealed to elders to teach the younger generation politics of service anchored on the right values emanating from the cultures and tradition that foster “honesty, accountability, tolerance, love and service to humanity”.

“I appeal to the Berom nation and indeed the entire socio-cultural groups in Plateau State to do all within their power to ensure that there is no room for criminals who apart from causing havoc and destruction, seek to sow the seeds of hatred and division among the people.

“As diverse as the 53 ethnic groups in Plateau State may be, we have a long standing reputation for love, hospitality, harmony and tolerance.”

Also speakibg, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha represented by Prof. Danladi Atu, Secretary to the Government of Plateau State said Nzem Berom is an annual cultural festival that unify the Berom and Plateau people.

He encouraged the people to continue to uphold their cultural heritage for the unity and prosperity of Nigeria.