Afizere

Northwest of the Afizere are many ethnic groups, the closest of which are the Anaguta, Bujel, Ribina, Kayauri and Duguza; more distant ones include Buji, Gusu, Sanga, Jere, Amoa, and Lemoro.

[4] The first group from Southern Kaduna settled at the foot of the hills called Gwash close to the current location of the Jos Museum[citation needed] and others settled at the foot of Shere Hills in the Jos Plateau.

More than 500,000 Afizere people,[5] distributed over 16 major traditional districts, inhabit territories within Jos North, Jos East, Mangu, in Plateau State and Tafawa-Balewa and Toro Local Government Areas in Bauchi State.

During the pre-colonial period, the people lived in hilly terrains surrounding the Jos Plateau as a defense mechanism against jihadist attacks during and after the Fulani Jihad.

Afizere towns and villages include Dong, Tudun Wada (Gyese), Kabong, Jos Jarawa, Rikkos, Fudawa, Kwanga, Fobur, Angware, Maijuju, Fusa, and Gwafan (Lamingo), Shere, Zandi, etc.

Asharuwa dance groups have performed in many countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Germany, South Africa, Ukraine, and Kenya.

Islam came to the region after the Fulani jihad when part of Afizere territory came under the authority of the Emir of Bauchi.