It is amazing how inaccurate the
perspective we have of the northern culture. I used to think there is just one
tribe. But even here on the Plateau alone there are over 17 different tribes
each with its own language. Then they adopted Hausa as the ‘lingua franca.’
Most people who speak in Hausa still have their own native languages.
Where I served (past tense
already?) we have the Youm people. The language is also called Youm. The
neighbouring Local Government were Tarok. They had same appellations for God-
Nan. You’d hear names such as Nanman, Nanpel, Kwaknan and so on. It was hard
but fun getting to pronounce those names. You’d have to call it three times
before your tongue gets used to it and worse of all you might not remember on
your next encounter. It took an average of three encounters for some names to
click.
In my first Class (I taught computer), I decided to translate my name into the Youm Language. It ended up
like this: Nandom (meaning God loves). Interestingly, it means the same thing
in Tarok and then Mougavl. By the next class, my students started calling me
Nandom. Overheard certain members of staff looking for the new Corper who hails
from here and was mistakenly posted back home. In 3 months, the whole school
knew. So I am now so fond of the name that I’m tempted to include it in one of
my certificates. So if you call me Nandom, I’d most certainly answer you.
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