According to the historical accounts of Dr. S.D. Nyam(2004) the name "Berom", might have been carved out of the name of a place in Sokoto call "Bira" which was the settlement of the Berom people before moving to Kabong and Riyom in the early years of civilization. Though their journey began from central Africa, many historians traced the journey from Ethiopia to Sudan to Chad republic to Niger and settled in Gobir the boundary between Sokoto and Niger republic. This is often expressed in Berom as:

"Wot yin Bayer ku wot vok Babi yin Babi ku wot vot Baba"
This means: "we came from Niger (Bayer) to Bira Sokoto (Babi) to Riyom (Baba). 

Undoubtedly, the Beroms are one of the major Autochthon groups on the Plateau whose earlier settlement in their present communities was recognised many centuries ago by historians, archeologists and by scholars such as Thurstan Shaw, R.C. Soper, Benard Fagg, Sa'adu Abubakar, Prof. M.Y. Manvwat among others. This dates back to Nok civilisation between 200BC to 1000AD.

Over the years, festivals in Berom land became  major drivers of the people's prestigious  cultural heritage and intergration. This is no doubt  anchored on the rationale for  sustainable  generational transformation in agriculture, trade and leadership which are the primary preoccupations of the people. Indeed, the culture of festivals was translated via celebrations  such as :
1. Mandyeng: festival of good farming. 
2. Nshok: Festival associated with. hunting.
3. Badu.
4. Worongchun.
5. Vwana/Bwana.
6. Mado hunting.
7. Behwol.
8. Wusal Berom.
 
 NZEM BEROM:
Due to influx of missionary activities and particularly Christianity and western education, a lot of changes influenced the rich cultural heritage of the Berom nation. There were  social and cultural crisis deepened by pseudo mining activities led  by the Europeans prior to oil exploration in Nigeria. In order TO AVOID the danger of losing the potency of their  socio-cultural practices and quality of cohabiting with other nationalities in Nigeria, all the other Berom festivals were brought under a single umbrella celebration tagged the "Nzem Berom. This one umbrella  festival no doubt  brings together all the sons and daughters as well as the in-laws and admirers of the rich cultural  endowment of the Berom people, to among other things celebrate and encourage one another to be united in the face of attacks and animosity; to be happy, industrious and to encourage one another towards the pursuit of economic, social, political and technological goals in the land. It is a weeklong celebration with variety of activities ranging from Prayers, beuty pageantry, horse riding, royal processions, food exhibitions, costumes display, hunting skills , talks and so on.

Indeed, today is Nzem Berom on the Plateau; and since the recognition of the stool of Gbong Gwom Jos in 1916 through the colonial circular No. 24p/1916/Jos/Prof Nak 473/1916 dated 15th August 1917, the paramount occupants of the stool have maintained the festivities. Even though some previous years of insecurity have deprived the people of this noble celebration, the resurgence of it is worth mentioning.

However, with the recent Circular MLGCA/S/CHI/23/VOL.11/527 of 2019 issued by the Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong administration on the establishment of new traditional councils out of the Joint Jos Traditional council, there might be a new reflection on thus years  Nzem Berom.

Therefore, as the good people of "Wurom asi wurom" celebrate the occasion of this festival, it is humanly fair to reflect on the gains of peace being recorded on the Plateau and to chat a new course for the sustainable re- building of confidence among the people especially those affected by the senseless attacks in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos south and in any other part of the country. Even with the inauguration of the new Berom Exco, it is expected that a new dawn of peace and peaceful coexistence with other tribes and people would suffice. 

Moreso, there should be a firm resolution to push a common front for the genuine reclamation of lands over taken by "grabbers".

Attention should also be paid towards co-operating with the government in driving realistic policies for the robust Rehabilitation and Re-intergration of displaced persons in the land so as to build confidence in re-uniting the people with themselves and their neighbors.

As they celebrate 2019 Nzem Berom, I wish them a splendid celebration.

Written by Luka Panpe

 #GodsaveBeromLand.#GodsavePlateau. #GodsaveNigeria