• By Afolabi osho

Welcome to the top of Gerinjina Mountain in Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. I am thrilled to share with you the remarkable story of the Jibu people, a community that seems like something out of a different world.

A Discovery from Another Era

When I first heard about the Jibu people on November 1987 then my later Bukola Ilori served as a youth corper in  Gembu,  Gongola state , I could hardly believe it. The casual conversation that sparked my curiosity suggested that there was a community living in conditions even more primitive than the Koma people, in which were visitation by Many Christian missionaries in the mid-1980s. The Koma live in Adamawa State, but the Jibu people reside in Taraba State, tucked away in nine remote communities scattered across the mountains.

These fascinating people are descendants of the Kwarafa Kingdom. Historical accounts suggest that around 1807, they fled to the mountains to escape the Fulani Jihadists. This isolation kept them untouched by colonial influences, with their new home characterized by rivers, deep gullies, and towering rocks.

Life and Traditions

The Jibu people have a unique way of life. One of the most striking traditions is the collective circumcision of boys within the same age group. This ceremony, using sharp objects, is a test of strength and character, as boys are expected not to cry. The circumcised boys are placed on bamboo beds and covered with fresh leaves, which are burned once the wounds heal.

Marriage in the Jibu community is also distinct. A young man must serve his bride’s family for five years. The marriage is determined by the woman’s ability to conceive within a period measured by the burning of a long piece of firewood for at least three months. If she doesn’t become pregnant, it’s believed the gods disapprove of the union.

Pregnant women work on the farms until the day they deliver. The Jibu people live communally, governed by Waziri Garinjina, Tann Shidin Zunbi. Maternal and child mortality rates are high, but their resilience is remarkable. They are neither Christians nor Muslims but believe in their own gods and ancestors, performing rituals to appease the land and their deities.

A Visit to Gerinjina

Visiting Gerinjina was a humbling experience. The Jibu people live in conditions that are incredibly challenging. There is no access road, and they drink from the same rivers as the animals. Education is virtually non-existent, with only a thatched space provided by missionaries, which is yet to have any students. After a long day’s work on the farm, women grind raw corn with heavy stones to prepare food for their families.

An Invitation to Experience Authentic Culture

The socio-political structure of the Jibu is acephalous, without a single tribal head. Each hamlet has a group of male ritual functionaries, led by a Priest King (Kene-Mari). Disputes are settled by the Kene-Mari-in-Council, and elders are highly respected.

Marriage amongst the Jibu is endogamous and polygynous, with levirate marriage also practiced. Puberty rituals involve circumcision for boys and tooth extraction for girls, marking their maturity. Markets in the lowlands serve as venues for interaction and trade with neighboring tribes, where the Jibu procure scarce items and sell their agricultural produce.

A Communal Economy

The Jibu economy revolves around farming, hunting, and gathering. Both men and women engage in cultivation, weeding, and harvesting. They practice three farming systems: hill-top farming for millet, maize, and groundnuts; valley farming for guinea corn and tobacco; and open-plain farming for groundnuts. There is a high degree of cooperation and collaboration, with a strong sense of sharing and reciprocity.

An Appeal to Tourists

The Jibu people’s way of life is a testament to human resilience and adaptation. By visiting the Jibu community in Taraba, you will not only witness a unique cultural heritage but also support their efforts to sustain their way of life. Your visit can help bring attention to their needs and foster a greater understanding of their remarkable culture.

So, if you are an adventurous traveller looking to explore one of the most fascinating and untouched cultures in Nigeria, the Jibu people of Gerinjina Mountain await you. Come and experience their rich traditions, breathtaking landscapes, and the warmth of a community that has preserved its way of life against all odds.

Let’s make the journey to Gerinjina, and together, discover the hidden world of the Jibu people.

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