A Historiographical Account of Basà Toponyms: A Study of Selected Pristine Settlements in Kogi State

This article investigates Basà toponyms in Bassa and Kotonkarfe Local Government Areas of Kogi State, North Central Nigeria, with the aim of uncovering the motivations and narratives behind place names in the study areas. Ethnographic data were sourced through interviews and metalinguistic conversations, and the study was anchored on the socio-onomastic model. The findings reveal that place names among the Basà function as historical preservation strategies and embody the symbolic identity of the people. Evidence from the study further shows that historical linguistic methods can serve as an alternative approach to toponymic studies alongside oral history, archaeology, and geography. The common sources of Basà toponyms include geographical features, water bodies, vegetation, animals, and other environmental elements. The study concludes that Basà toponyms encapsulate valuable historical narratives that help preserve sociocultural and linguistic heritage, as well as validate original ownership of territories.