Amb. Friday Bako
Viewpoint Nigeria

Preparatory to the 2018 Nzem Berom Cultural Festival with the theme “Berom: Irresistible land, People, Culture and Agricultural Economy” the Berom Nation today 8th May, 2018 held its Symposium with the topic “The Berom Way of Life: Culture and Agriculture”

The paper Presenter was Rev. Prof. Y. P. Mancha a Professor of Breeding and Genetics and Head of Department of Animal Production in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi State.

Prof. Mancha started his presentation by saying culture and agriculture are indispensable and very significant without which no nation can be complete.

He went further to speak on who the Berom are and their key features.

He also spoke on the Location of the Berom saying they are found in four Local Government in Plateau State namely Barkin Ladi, Jos North, Jos South and Riyom with a reasonable numbers in Aboro Community of Sanga LGA, Kaduna State.

He spoke on the Berom way of life, the culture of central rulership that is the five Gbong Gwoms through 28 Government Regimes on the Plateau starting from Late Chief Dachung Gyang in 1935, Late Da Rwang Pam in 1947, Late Da Fom Bot in 1969, Late Da Victor Dung Pam in 2004 and the present Gbong Gwom His Royal Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba.

The neighbours of the Berom are Bacce (Rukuba), Irigwe (Miango), in Bassa LGA, Anaguta, Buji, Afizere in Jos North, Aten, Atakar in Riyom, Ron & Kulere in Bokkos and Mwaghavul in Mangu he said.
He said the autochthonism and aboriginality of the Berom on the Plateau on the Plateau as provided by history and the Shonong in Riyom and Kabong Caves in present Jos North are prima facie.

Prof. Mancha said the Berom are blessed with rich human, cultural, agricultural and tourism potentials that must be harnessed to its advantage.

He said in religion, the Berom Traditional religion communes with ‘Dagwi’ through ‘GwomKwit’, ‘chit’ and ‘Chen’
The Berom traditional religion is very similar to Christianity, he said.

In terms of festivals, Prof. Mancha said Nzem Berom and Wusal Berom are currently the most prominent and significant.

On trade and commerce, Rev. Prof. Mancha said the Berom are skillfully talented and dedicated to whatever their hands find doing (from personal interaction). The Berom are blessed, protected and guided by God, he said. He said the practice of getting involved in commodity marketing is good and encouraged.

Coming to Agriculture, Prof. Mancha said the agricultural life of the Berom principally centres on crop and animal production as well as game hunting.
He said important menus in Berom land include ‘Tere’, ‘Tuk chun na leng tow’ ‘naman dyara’ ‘hwonong shala Berom’ and ‘gbwirik’

He spoke on farming system, inter cropping, integrated Farming system and the benefits.

He went further to speak on the culture of giving and adopting surnames in Berom land. He said the ancestors of the Berom picked interest in the Duiker family of animals (Duikers are forest-dwelling antelopes found in Africa) because the animals are smart, short, strong, peaceful, sociable and beautiful. Hence names such as Pam, Gyang, Dung, Chuwang, Badung, Kaneng, Lyop, Chundung, Nvou, Kangyang etc.

On Dress Code/Colours, Prof. Mancha said the major colours of the Berom are Dark Brown(fierce&protective symbols), green (fertility) and white (peace).

In conclusion, he said the Berom as a people, nation and language is Autochthonous, aboriginal, autonomous, indigenous, native, loving, friendly, progressive, talented, hospitable, industrious, disciplined, committed, accommodative, courageous and duikerous ethnic group on the Plateau. He said they have not been conquered by any force, even the Othman Danfodio’s expeditions of old and other forms of attacks.

He recommended that the slogan for Plateau State “Home of Peace and Tourism” is Berom-based and admonished every Berom to pursue and maintain that.

Da Jack Chollom also made presentation on Acha (Fonio) as the most staple food in Berom Cultural History.

The symposium held at Langfield Leisure Park, Little Rayfield Jos, Plateau State.

The event was well attended by District Heads, other Traditional Leaders, Religious leaders, all recognized groups of Berom, illustrious sons and daughters of the Berom.

The Zere Beauty Pageant and local grinding of ‘kpana’ are scheduled for Wednesday 9th May, 2018 at Langfield Leisure Park, Little Rayfield Jos, Plateau State.

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Symposium for 2018 Nzem Berom Held Today, Zere Beauty Pageant Holds Tomorrow