Edo State, in Nigeria's South-South region, is one of the country's oldest centres of civilisation, home to the famous Benin Kingdom and a mosaic of peoples whose histories predate colonial Nigeria by centuries. For the visitor, understanding Edo State means understanding its people: their kingdoms, festivals, and living traditions. Here are four of the state's most prominent ethnic groups, which we shall visit

Drive southeast out of Jos toward Mangu and the land begins to fold into rocky hills, volcanic domes, and terraced farmland dusted green with potatoes and maize. This is Mwaghavul country — home to one of Plateau State's most prominent indigenous nations, and a place where hospitality, hard farm work, and a deep attachment to the land are still the measure of a good life. For the visitor willing to leave the tarred road, Mwaghavul land offers volcanic craters, colonial-era fish farms, a living festival calendar, and some

On the southeastern edge of the Jos Plateau, where the granite highlands begin their descent toward the lowlands, lies Yil Ngas, Ngasland, home to the Ngas people, also known as the Angas or Kerang. Centred on the town of Pankshin and spreading across the districts of Ampang, Amper and Kabwir, with a further presence in neighbouring Bauchi State, the Ngas

Sitting immediately behind the Berom in size, the Tarok (also spelt Taroh) are widely described by their own people and by cultural researchers as the second-largest indigenous ethnic group in Plateau State. Journalist, Tanchit Monica Binjin, has noted that the Tarok people from Langtang are the second largest ethnic group in the state (BellaNaija)