Birom

(also Burum, Shosho, Kibo; self-designation, Biroom), a people occupying the territory west of the city of Jos in Nigeria. Together with neighboring peoples related to them by language and culture (Jerawa, Chawai, Kurama, Lala, and others), they number about 500,000 (1967 estimate). The Birom language is related to the Eastern Bantoid language group. The Hausa language is also widespread among them. The majority of the Birom profess Islam, although some preserve the traditional religious beliefs. Their basic occupations are terrace agriculture (millet and peanuts) and livestock raising.