With its capital city situated at Jalingo, Taraba State is a state established in 1991, which is located in North Eastern Nigeria. Taraba State was carved out of the former Gongola State and was named after the Taraba river. 

Taraba is surrounded by the states of Bauchi and Gombe to the north; Adamawa to the east; Cameroon to the south; and Benue, Nassarawa, and Plateau to the west. Thus, the Fulani, Jukun, Chamba, Tiv, Kuteb, and Ichen tribes make up the majority of the population, and they are concentrated in the southern portion of the state. The Wurkum, Mumuye, and Kona tribes are concentrated in the northern section of the state.

Also, the Mambila, Chamba, Fulani, and Jibawa people make up the majority of the population in the central region. However, the majority of the state’s northern section is a forested savanna area that receives water from the Benue River and its tributaries.

In this piece, Naijabiography narrates the history, culture, lifestyle, and economy of Taraba State.

History

Taraba State was created during the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida on August 27, 1991. History has it that the former Gongola State under Babangida was changed and replaced with Taraba State.

Shortly after the creation of the state, which was named after Taraba river, there was the need to establish the capital city for it, and then Jalingo was named.

According to research, there are over 40 different tribes in the state, speaking the Taraba State language. Thus, each tribe falls under a local government area. 

People and Culture

The Jukun and Mambilla peoples, among whom there are sizable numbers of Christians, make up the majority of the population of Taraba state.

The Mambilla Tourist Center, Gumpti Park, and game reserve in Gashaka, as well as the Nwunyu Fishing Festival in Ibi, which typically takes place in April each year and features events like canoe racing, swimming competitions, and cultural dances, have all seen improvements thanks to the government’s concerted efforts.

There are numerous festivals celebrated by the people of Taraba State, such as the Purma of the Chamba in Donga, the Takum and Jibu culture dance in Bali, the Tagba of the Acha People in Takum, the Kuchecheb of the Kutebs in Takum and Ussa, the Kati of the Mambilla, and many more. 

Meanwhile, since Taraba is wealthy and home to numerous ethnic groups, including Fulanis, Kuteb Chamba, Yandang, Mumuyes, Mambila, Wurkums, Janjo, Jukun, Ichen, Tiv, Kaka, Pena, Kambu, kodei, Wawa, Vute, Hausa, and Ndola, it is referred to as “Nature’s gift to the nation.”

Economy

The major occupation of the Taraba people is agriculture. Although at the time it was created, the farmers indulged in subsistence farming, now, the farmers are commercially inclined. Thus, farmers in the state cultivate corn, sorghum, millet, rice, yams, sugarcane, and cassava (manioc) (maize). Additionally, river fishing and the herding of cattle, goats, and sheep are significant in Taraba State.

Furthermore, rubber and oil palm trees have been planted in the state’s southwest, while in the far south, the Mambilla Mountain area of the Adamawa Plateau offers a tsetse-free grassy highland that is ideally suited for cattle grazing.

On a similar scale, people also produce livestock in various ways, such as raising chickens, breeding rabbits, and raising pigs. Communities that live along the banks of the rivers Benue, Taraba, Donga, and Ibi fish all year long. Other occupations, including blacksmithing, carving, needlework, mat-making, ceramics, cloth-weaving, dyeing, and cloth-weaving are also practised throughout the state.

Modern-Day Taraba State

Taraba State has sixteen (16) local government areas, which include Ardo Kola, Bali, Donga, Gashaka, Gassol, Ibi, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Kurmi, Lau, Sardauna, Takum, etc. Also in the state, there are different tribes that are under these local governments, and they include Fulfulde, Kona, Mumuye,  Etkywan; Fam; Gbaya, Jukun, Kam, Dza, Tiv, and Fulfulde, among others.

The state has some modern roads running north to Yola, west to Bauchi town, and south to Makurdi town, while the Benue River allows for river transport.

Also, Taraba is located in the middle of Nigeria and it is surrounded by mountains; the popular one is the Mambilla Plateau. In addition, the state in the 1980s developed a game reserve named Gashaka/Gumti National Park.

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