Kariya language


Kariya or Vinahə, is an Afroasiatic language spoken in a cluster of villages near the Stone Age archaeological site of Kariya Wuro in Ganjuwa LGA, Bauchi State, Nigeria. The ethnic group is known as Wììhə́.
The Wiihə people have a highly rich and complex ritual culture that includes elaborate masquerades, a circumcision ceremony known as sár, a ritual calendar, and so on.

Distribution

Speakers live in the two main settlements of Kariya Gyada and Tulu. There are also speakers in the nearby villages of Sabon Kariya and Sabon Tulu. The settlement of Dutsen Giwa used to have Vinahə speakers, but it is now Hausa-speaking.

Clans

Wiihə clans and their respective founders and shrines:
ClanFounderShrine
VàràyáTákúshìyàuses the Kúlkùl shrine
KúlkùlYàkáùJambula
NjálgáZàmànìincorporated into Kàryà
KàryàÀàyàFaɗuwan
WèèmàGwàlàbàDunguzun
IìrwáJàngàláincorporated into Vàràyá