🇳🇬 Language

Gbiri–Niragu

Evidence: Well documented

Gbiri–Niragu is a language of Kaduna State, according to Roger Blench's Atlas of Nigerian Languages (2020), which classifies it as Kainji (Eastern Kainji: Northern Jos group, Kauru subgroup).

Key facts
Type
Language
Belongs to
Kainji
Glottocode
gbir1241
Overview

Gbiri–Niragu is a language of Kaduna State, according to Roger Blench's Atlas of Nigerian Languages (2020), which classifies it as Kainji (Eastern Kainji: Northern Jos group, Kauru subgroup). The Atlas places it in Saminaka LGA, a former LGA; Saminaka town is now the headquarters of Lere LGA (Wikipedia). Wikipedia and INEC place Gure and Kahugu in Lere LGA. Its members are Gbiri and Niragu. Other names include Gure, Gura, Kahugu, Kagu, Kafugu. Speaker figures in the Atlas: 5,000 (1952). The Atlas records a literacy programme under way in Gbiri.

Connections
Other names
  • Anirago · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 1.B: the speakers' own name for the language.
  • Gbiri · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field member: member of the cluster, as the Atlas lists it.
  • Gura · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 2.A: name based on location.
  • Gure · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 2.A: name based on location.
  • Kafugu · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 2.A: name based on location.
  • Kagu · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 2.A: name based on location.
  • Kahugu · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 2.A: name based on location.
  • Niragu · alternative
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field member: member of the cluster, as the Atlas lists it.
Sources
  1. An Atlas of Nigerian Languages (2020 edition) — Roger Blench, Kay Williamson Educational Foundation / McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, 2020 · Academic source · link (accessed 24 Sep 2026)
    Supports: Gbiri–Niragu
  2. Glottolog language index (resourcemap) — Glottolog · Academic source · link (accessed 26 Sep 2026)
    Supports: Glottolog gbir1241
  3. Directory of Polling Units: Kaduna State (Revised January 2015) — Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 2015-01 · Official source · link (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
    Supports: Gbiri–Niragu: village placement
  4. Lere, Nigeria — Wikipedia · Reference source · link (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
    Supports: Gure Kahugu (Gbiri Niragu), Lere LGA
  5. Saminaka — Wikipedia · Reference source · link (accessed 7 Oct 2026)
    Supports: Saminaka, headquarters of Lere LGA
How evidence is graded
  • Verified: Supported by an official source, or by two or more independent sources that agree.
  • Well documented: Supported by credible sources, but not yet independently confirmed.
  • Reported: Found in a credible source; further corroboration is welcome.
  • Needs corroboration: The evidence is thin or incomplete; more sources are being sought.
  • Disputed: Credible sources or community accounts disagree; the differing accounts are noted.
  • Uncertain: There is not yet enough information to classify this responsibly.

Sources are marked official, academic, reference, community or general web. Sources that copy each other count as one. Oral traditions are recorded as traditions, not as proven fact.

Archive ID: LANG-GBIRI-NIRAGU · Last updated 7 October 2026. Spotted an error or have a source to add? Tell us.

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