Berom (also sometimes spelt Birom) is the largest indigenous ethnic group in Plateau State of Nigeria, making up 49% of Plateau state indigenes. The Berom people speak the Berom language and are mainly present in four local government areas, which include; Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi (Gwol) and Riyom.
The Berom people are known for their rich cultural heritage that they showcase through a variety of festive ceremonies. Berom festivals include Nzem Berom, Mandyen, Buna, Nshok, Jams, Ngassan, Mok Cun, Wo Cwel and many others that hold importance in Beroms’ social, economic and political life.
It is believed that Dagwi who is the god of gods is approached by other smaller gods through rituals or festive ceremonies.
Nzem Berom
In 1980, the Berom festivals were merged into one big celebration called Nzem Berom. The purpose was to combine the various festivals into one celebration and by extension, bring the people and districts closer to one another. Nzem Berom aims to unify, identify and recognise the Beroms’ good and rich cultural heritage.
Nzem Berom is usually celebrated in the first week of April, to coincide with the time when Mandyeng, Nshok and the Badu Festivals were held.
This festival is still widely anticipated in Plateau state today, the event features cultural displays, music and dance performances, a beauty pageant to crown the Zere Berom (Beauty Queen) for the year and on the final day, a grand procession to escort His Majesty, The Gbong Gwom Jos to the stadium where traditional dancers, guests, Kings and Nobles from other tribes and the masses await.
Mandyen
This is a festival performed at the end of the dry season to usher in the rainy season. It is a very exciting time as marriages are contracted while traditional dancing and music shows are performed by various age groups, land matters cases are resolved and there’s a lot of merry-making.
During their live performances, actors and actresses wear lion-cloth made of raffia and a local chain on the right or left foot. Churu or Pwok is exclusively worn by men while women wore Masoñ, another raffia made of leaves, tied around the waist, bangles and Gyem, a handbag on the left shoulder. Both males and females paint their legs, head and bodies with Tee, a red clay powder, ground from certain stones found deep in the ground.
Nshok/Buna
The Nshok festival is a celebration at the end of the harvest to give thanks to Dagwi for a fruitful season.
It is celebrated similarly to Mandyen with activities like hunting, marriages and settling land disputes. It differs from Mandyen with agricultural-themed activities such as measuring food production, comparison of present to previous harvest and preparation of farming tools like hoes, matchets, sickles, daggers and axes for farming.
During this time, the soothsayers, local scientists and futurologists called Bevoson or Bemad Bes, show their powers in working towards the peace, health and progress of the community by fighting internal and external anti-social and anti-economic ills.
Badu
Badu is a bi-annual festival celebrated in February and March which was used as a medium of community awareness and problem-solving.
During this time, the elders come together to tackle major issues like crimes, retrogression, completion of communal projects and the entire defense of their territory.
The festive ceremonies of the Berom tribe offer a captivating glimpse into a rich cultural heritage and the people’s desire to both preserve and showcase their cultural identity, knowledge and core values in traditional customs, Beroms’ festivals are truly a joy to behold and there is definitely a lesson to be learned from the creation of Nzem Berom and what it means for the tribe
Sources:
The Berom Tribe Of Plateau State Of Nigeria, Sen Luka Gwon
Berom People, Wikipedia
Nzem Berom 2022: Photos of Lovely Cultural Displays, pleatureports.com
Written by: Egbuna Chinelo
