Who are The Wurkum People.......

In the ethnographic, historical and linguistic literature on northern Nigeria, the name 'Wurkum' or 'Wurkun' occurs as apparently designating a language or ethnic grouping. Attempts to determine precisely what is meant by this term, on the basis of the existing literature, soon run into difficulties. The present author provides new information, based on recent field investigations. 'Wurkun' is derived from a Jukun phrase meaning 'people of the hills'. There is no single ethnic group called or calling themselves Wurkun; it is a generic term covering a number of groups - Kulung, Piya, Kwonci, Kode - mainly living in the hilly region of Wurkun District, i.e. the western part of the Muri mountains, in Karim Lamido Local Government, Taraba State. Wurkun identity is not based on linguistic grounds, but on common historical experiences and cultural features.