Doma

History

The Kingdom of Doma was founded in 1232 by Andoma and lasted until 1901 when it became part of the British Protectorate of northern Nigeria. Doma/Alago people led by Osabonya Ogoshi Andoma were believed to have moved and settled in other places including Idah in the present-day Kogi State, Apa, Otupka, and Ogyogo at the bank of river Benue in the present-day Benue State, and then in Oba’sidoma in the present-day Keana LGA of Nasarawa State before they finally settled at their present location. The Alago-speaking people of Doma were originally known and referred to as Idoma and migrated from Apa the seat of the ancient Kwararafa Empire. Their popular tale indicated that Doma was founded in the 13th century- around 1232 AD. The general theories and history of Alago migration and settlement are by extension the theories and history of the Jukun/Kwararafa Empire which was the theory and history of constant movement from one settlement to another within the territorial boundary of the defunct Kwararafa Empire and indeed outside the area. This includes the theory of Eastern Migration, early settlement, language classification, and ethnology, the theory of constant warfare, and the theory of the confederacy of the Kwararafa Empire. This explains the relationship that existed between the Jukuns and the Alagos and by extension all the Kwararafa family members. The Alago people of Doma and their brethren from Keana, Aloshi, Ibi, Obi, Agaza, Alagye, Agbashi, Agwatashi, and Assakio among others were believed to have come from the ancient Kwararafa empire. The migration was said to have taken them to places such as Idah in Kogi State, Ogyogo in Benue State, Obasidoma in Keana LGA, and finally to Doma. Although the movement was in two phases, the first phase was led by the founder…