The Butura People: Our Origin, Language, and Migration
The Butura people are a proud and ancient community rooted in the heart of Plateau State, Nigeria — a land blessed with rich culture, resilience, and communal harmony. As part of the larger Berom ethnic family, the Butura trace their lineage to the early settlers of the Jos Plateau who migrated from the central highlands centuries ago in search of fertile land, peace, and freedom. Our forebears established settlements characterized by mutual respect, hospitality, and a deep connection to the land, which continues to define our identity today.
The Butura language — a unique dialect within the Beromic linguistic family — carries the poetry of our ancestors, the rhythm of our songs, and the wisdom of generations. It is not merely a tool of communication but a vessel of cultural memory. Through our language, oral traditions, and festivals, we preserve the story of who we are and pass it to our children as a living heritage.
Over time, Butura people have dispersed across Nigeria and beyond, contributing to national growth in education, business, governance, religion, and technology. Yet, no matter where we live, the spirit of Butura — unity, hard work, and communal progress — remains deeply engraved in our hearts.
The Vision & Mission of BDA
The Butura Development Association (BDA) was founded as a unifying platform to harness the collective strength, wisdom, and resources of the Butura people for the holistic development of our homeland.
Our Vision:
To build a united, prosperous, and progressive Butura community grounded in cultural pride, social justice, and sustainable development.
Our Mission:
To mobilize the Butura people — both at home and in the diaspora — toward community transformation through education, economic empowerment, good governance, infrastructure development, and cultural preservation.
BDA stands as a bridge between the past and the future — a living expression of our ancestors’ dreams for a strong, dignified, and self-reliant Butura nation. Through collaborative partnerships with government, faith-based institutions, and development organizations, we are working to ensure that Butura thrives as a beacon of excellence and unity among Plateau’s communities.
The BDA Leadership: Traditional Council & Executive Committee
At the heart of BDA’s strength lies a leadership structure that honors both tradition and modern governance.
The Traditional Council, led by the Saf Butura (Traditional Ruler) and the District Heads, serves as the custodian of culture, values, and peace within the community. Their wisdom provides moral and spiritual guidance, ensuring that development aligns with the identity and dignity of the Butura people.
Complementing this is the BDA Executive Committee, an elected body of visionary leaders representing various zones, professional groups, and diaspora chapters. The Executive Committee drives the association’s programs, projects, and partnerships — ensuring accountability, inclusiveness, and innovation in every initiative.
Together, the Traditional Council and the BDA Executive embody our model of shared leadership — blending ancient wisdom with contemporary strategy for sustainable community transformation.
Our Core Values & Objectives
BDA is guided by principles that reflect both our cultural heritage and our developmental aspirations. These values shape our identity and inform every action we take:
Core Values
- Unity: One people, one purpose, one destiny.
- Integrity: Upholding honesty, transparency, and moral excellence.
- Service: Leadership through selflessness and dedication to community good.
- Heritage: Preserving and celebrating our language, culture, and traditions.
- Innovation: Embracing new ideas and technologies for sustainable growth.
- Faith: Trusting in God as the source of wisdom, peace, and progress.
Strategic Objectives
- Promote education and youth empowerment through scholarships, mentorship, and skills training.
- Enhance health, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability in Butura communities.
- Preserve and promote Butura culture, festivals, and language.
- Foster unity among all Butura sons and daughters, both at home and abroad.
- Build strong partnerships with government, NGOs, and development agencies.
- Strengthen leadership capacity and good governance across all community structures.
Message from the President / Saf Butura
“We are the generation called to build on the dreams of our ancestors.”
Dear sons and daughters of Butura,
It is with great joy and humility that I welcome you to the Butura Development Association — a symbol of our collective identity, dignity, and destiny. Our forefathers tilled this land with faith and courage; now it is our turn to develop it with wisdom and unity.
The BDA is more than an association; it is a movement of hope. We envision a Butura that is economically vibrant, spiritually grounded, and socially cohesive — where every child has access to quality education, every youth has opportunity, and every family thrives in peace and dignity.
Let us rise together — from every village, every diaspora city, every profession — to rebuild Butura and make her shine among the nations. The time for development is now, and together, we shall make history.
Long live Butura!
Long live BDA!
Long live our people!
— Saf Butura / President, Butura Development Association (BDA)