Ham people

The Ham people are an ethnic group found in the southern part of Kaduna State in the northwestern region of Nigeria,[1] predominantly in Jaba Local Government Area and Kachia Local Government Area. They speak the Hyam language and refer to themselves as Ham. They are known as the 'Jaba' in Hausa, but a recent study by a linguist who is a native of the area (John 2017) has definitely proven that the label 'Jaba' was derogatory and should be rejected.[2] Some estimates place the Ham as numbering 400,000.[3]

Ham
Total population
300,000 (2014 NBTT)[4]
Regions with significant populations
Nigeria
Languages
Hyam
Religion
Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Adara, Ham, Koro, Gwong, Atyap, Berom, Jukun, Efik, Tiv, Igbo, Yoruba, Edo and other Benue-Congo peoples of Middle Belt and southern Nigeria

History

The Ham people are believed to have created the Nok culture after archaeological discoveries in the Ham village of Nok.[5]

Culture

The Tuk-Ham festival is celebrated each year at Kwain (basterdised as Kwoi by the Hausa), a town in the Local Government Area of Jaba. It is celebrated around the Easter season.[6][7]

Religion

The majority of the Ham people are Christian, estimated at about 85%. About 75% of the population is defined by some sources as "Evangelical Christians", with 10% fitting other definitions of Christians.[8]

Language

The Ham speak Hyam language.

Kingship Stool

Ham rulers are called Kpop Ham. The current Kpop Ham is His Royal Highness (HRH) the Kpop-Ham Dr. Jonathan Danladi Gyet Maude (J.P.), OON.[9]

Notable People

Notable people of Ham origin include:

  • Martin Luther Agwai
  • Andrew Jonathan Nok
  • Audu Maikori, founder and group CEO of Chocolate City Entertainment record label
  • Yahaya Maikori, founder of Chocolate City Entertainment record label
  • Admiral Ishaya Iko Ibrahim, Former Chief of Naval Staff and Sarkin Yaki Ham
  • Felix Hassan Hyet, Former Minister of Aviation
  • Justice Danlami Sambo Former Justice Sokoto High Court

References
  1. Ibrahim, James (1986). The Ham in history : the Ham and their neighbours. Jos University Press. ISBN 978-166-038-4.
  2. John, P. H. (2017). Narratives of identity and sociocultural worldview in song texts of the Ham of Nigeria: A discourse analysis investigation (Doctoral dissertation, Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University).|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/jab%7Ctitle=Hyam%7Cnewspaper=Ethnologue%7Caccess-date=2017-01-31}}
  4. "Hyam". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
  5. McKenna, Amy (2011). The History of Western Africa: Britannica guide to Africa. The Rosen Publishing Group. p. 173. ISBN 1615303162.
  6. Matthew-Daniel, B. J. St.; Mamman, A. B.; Petters, Sunday W.; Oyebanji, J. Oluwole; Federal Ministry of Information Nigeria (2000). Nigeria, a People United, a Future Assured: Survey of states. Federal Ministry of Information Nigeria. p. 250. ISBN 9780104321.
  7. "Tuk-Ham". ZODML. Retrieved 2017-01-31.
  8. Joshua project entry on Ham people
  9. "HAM CULTURAL HERITAGE". HAM CULTURAL HERITAGE. Retrieved 2017-01-31.
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