Lar Displays Rich Culture Of The Bantu Families Of Tarok Arts To Promote Youth Participation

Yakubu Busari

One of the Tarok illustrious son , Mr  Ishaku Selchang Lar has said, that the Tarok people are disciplined and hardworking by calling on the youth to emulate the same gesture by describing the rich cultural Portrait of Bantu people in  Plateau State.

He stated this during the Ilum O’tarok Day,”   The Tarok tribe is an ethnic group that is primarily linked to East Africa, Central Africa , West Africa with a total of over 3000 ethnic background of Congo , South Africa Kenya, Zambia and they’re located in the central region of Nigeria.

Lar dressed in Zulus attired with a bow and arrow, sheepskin, spar, and local musical instruments locally sourced and produced to promote the historical values of the Bantu.

The Tarok people are diverse, with their language, culture, and traditions varying from one community to another.  Historically, the Tarok people were primarily farmers, and their economy was based on agriculture, hunting, and bravery.

The Tarok-speaking natives of Bantu extraction accepted the Sudan United Mission missionaries first settled in Wase in 1904 and migrated to Langtang Kwano.

However , in Wase LGA which was under Taraba Division, Muri Province  It was the missionaries encountered a lot of challenges.

They moved to Tarok  and Berom land in 1907.Before then some other missionaries had made inroads to Panyam ,Kabwir and eventually to Mwari Zaarland my area.

In not too distant future the Sudan United mission took over the mission areas. The Sudan United Mission British branch has since transformed to Church of Christ in Nations COCIN.

Lar urged the youth to imbibe the teaching of the Tarok which was formerly Yergam Federal House of Representatives in 1959 under parliamentary system before  the Christan missionaries invaded the land  and destroyed the rich culture of the native  .

Mr Ishaku Selchang Lar who deals with creative arts and promoting the Tarok culture emphasized that the new generation should continue to learn how to see themselves as children of Israel because the missionaries discovered the holy communion and punishment of lying in Tarok land .

They cultivated crops such as yams, millet, and guinea corn, and also raised livestock such as cows, goats, and sheep.

The Tarok people were also skilled in weaving, pottery, and blacksmithing.  The Tarok people have a rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in their festivals and ceremonies. One of their most important festivals is the “Ntim” festival, which is held annually to mark the end of the harvest season.

 During this festival, the Tarok people gather to celebrate and give thanks to their gods for a bountiful harvest.  Another important aspect of Tarok culture is their traditional religion, which is based on the worship of various gods and goddesses that speak to Ponzhi Nbin of the clans before reaching out to the subjects.

 The Tarok people believe these gods and goddesses are responsible for various aspects of their lives, such as fertility, prosperity, and protection.

Recently, the Tarok people have faced various challenges, such as conflicts with each other’s clans and neighbouring ethnic groups in Plateau State.

The Tarok people have also been affected by the activities of armed groups, such as cattle rustlers and bandits, who have attacked their communities and killed many of their people.

Despite these challenges, the Tarok people have remained resilient, and have continued to preserve their culture and traditions. They have also adapted to the changing times, and have embraced modernity while still holding on to their traditional values. 

Overall, the Tarok tribe is an important part of the diverse cultural landscape of Plateau State, and their contributions to the state human capital development .