Most of the content on this page were drawn from
a historical official document of National Archives of Nigeria titled THE PLATEAU PROVINCE OF NIGERIA FROM 1926 - 1934 BY H. HALE MIDDLETURN
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CRAFTMANSHIP AND OCCUPATION
In discussing this subject we shall look at the various kind of trade the people were into at the pre-colonial era, during and after the colonial period as well as in this twenty-first century.
In paragraph 35 of his assesment report of 3rd June, 1914, District Officer Stobert stated that
The men (Afizere) are remarkably good iron workers and smelters and
good agriculturalists. They are rapidly becomming "hausanised" and frequent the markets at Naraguta and Jos in large numbers. Their women have not as yet begun to mix with the hausas.
Additionally, the people rear the humpless cattle called "Muturu" in large numbers. It is interesting to note here that the Afizere word for 100 is one cow (Inyak); probably
representing 1 muturu in cowries (100 cowries). Also worthy of note here is the counting system of Afizere. 100 was 144, the number base being 12. Other domestic animal kept in large quantities
for eating at ceremonies include goats, sheep and chicken. The dog was however a companion and hunting associate or facilitator. For more on hunting see the column on Afizere culture on the home page of
this website.
Then later the women bugun selling different things ranging from fire-wood (ikon), local beer (Kugbere), ? (Rihiek), black current (Kufufuon), ? (kareder), ? (Ribonong), just to mention a few. A tour to
the local market square in the villages will make you see all these, athough most of them are seasonally harvested.
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