Karai-Karai people
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 439,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Bauchi State; (Dambam, Misau, Shira, Darazo and Gamawa LGAs) Yobe State; (Potiskum, Nangere, Gujba, Jakusko, Fika and Fune LGAs) Gombe State and Jigawa State | |
| Languages | |
| Native: Karai-Karai Second Languages: Hausa, English, Kanuri | |
| Religion | |
| Islam Minor:Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Bure, Deno, Gero, Geruma, Galambu, Giiwo, Kubi, Maaka, Ɓeele, Daza, Pali, Ngamo, Bole, Hausa |
The Karai-Karai (autonyms for singular: Bakarkarai (m), Bakarkariya (f); plural: Karai-Karai and general: Karai-Karai; exonyms: Karekare, Kerrikerri, Kare-kare, Karedu; Ajami: كاراي-كاراي) are a native ethnic group in the north-eastern region of Nigeria, West Africa. They speak the Karai-Karai language, a member of the West Branch of the Chadic languages under the Bole-Tangale languages (north) group of the Afro-Asiatic language family. The Karai-Karai are a culturally homogeneous people based primarily in the Karai-Karai land, an area across the borderlands of Bornu, Kano and Bauchi provinces which in the modern day comprises the Bauchi State, Gombe State, Yobe State and Jigawa State respectively.
According to Annals of Borno, Karai-karai people are the thirty-third largest ethnic group in Nigeria. They traditionally live in small villages as well as in precolonial towns and cities where they grow crops, raise livestock including cattle, hunting as well as engage in local trades, they are also skillful craftsmen. The craft includes wood-carving, weaving, metal work, painting and barbing. They speak the Karai-Karai language, an Afro-Asiatic language of the Chadic group.