Rukuba

Rukuba is a term that can refer to several distinct entities, primarily a people and a language in Nigeria, and also a place.

The Rukuba people, also known as the Rukuba, Buji, or Birom, are an ethnic group primarily located in the Buji district of the Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. They are an indigenous community with a rich cultural heritage and traditional practices. Their population is estimated to be in the tens of thousands. The Rukuba people are known for their agricultural activities, predominantly farming, and have historically been organized into village communities.

The Rukuba language, also called Rukuba or Buji, is a Plateau language spoken by the Rukuba people. It belongs to the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family. While widely spoken within the community, like many indigenous languages in Nigeria, it faces pressures from dominant languages like Hausa and English, impacting its transmission to younger generations. Linguistic documentation and revitalization efforts are crucial for its preservation.

Rukuba is also the name of a town or settlement in Plateau State, Nigeria, which is the traditional homeland of the Rukuba people. This geographical location is central to their identity and cultural life.