There are many tribes in Adamawa State. The north-eastern state is mostly dominated by Hausa speaking people which is the language they use for business purpose aside the English language. The people of Adamawa state are estimated to be about 3,168,101.
Below is a list of tribes in Adamawa state and where they can be found in the state.
1. FULANI
The people have some things in common with the Hausa people but they are easily identified by people of other tribes in Nigeria because they are known for cattle rearing. The Fulani people are not really known as people that have a particular community because they always move from one place to the other.
2. BACHAMA
The people of Bachama are also known as Bwatiyes.They are found majorly in Numan and Lamurde Local Government area of the state. It is not really known where they originated from but they have a strong link to Sokoto State. The Bachama tribe is one of the few northern tribes that was not conquered by the Fulani Jihadists. The religion practiced by the tribe is the
Christian religion. Their population is estimated to be around 283,000.
Christian religion. Their population is estimated to be around 283,000.
3. BALI
The Bali people are said to be originated from the Republic of Congo before they settled in areas close to Lake Chad. They are now found in some Demsa Local Governments Area with some parts of Numan Community. They have a population of over 2000 people. Their occupations include farming and trading.
4. GUDU
With a population of over 5000 inhabitants, the people of Gudu are mostly found in Song Local Government Area. They speak an afro-asiatic language. The style and way of life of the people is greatly influenced by Islam. The major occupation of the people includes cattle rearing and farming.
5. MBULA
The settlement of the Mbula people is known as Borrong and the two dialects spoken by the tribe includes what is known as Kun Mbula and Mbula-Bwazza. The Christian religion is widely practiced by the people. They are scattered in Song, Demsa, Shelleng and Girei Local Government Areas. They have a population of 100,000 people.
6. BATA
The Bata tribe which is spelt locally as Gbwata is often considered as the Bachama tribe because their language sounds alike. Their origin is link to the northern province of Cameroun close to the Nigerian Border. Their population is estimated at about 150,000 people. They have about seven dialects which include Kobotachi, Garoua, Jirai, Ribaw, Wadi, Zumu and Ndeewe. They can be found in Numan, Song, Fufore, and Mubi Local Governments Areas.
7. KOMA
Koma people were recognized as Nigerians in 1961. The hill they inhabit was purportedly discovered by a corps member in 1986. The area forms a part of the seven districts of Jada Local Government Area. The women wear fresh leaves while the men wear loincloths. They have about 61,000 native speakers. They belong to the Niger–Congo family. A Koma man is allowed to share his wife with friends or visitors.
8. MUMUYE
Though the larger number of the Mumuye people are found in the neighboring Taraba state. Some of the people of the tribe can still be found in Ganye, Fufure and Mayo-Belwa local government areas of Adamawa state.
9. KAMWE
The Kamke people are sometimes called Higi. About 80 percent of Higi people are found in Michika Local Government Area. Some of them are also found in some areas in Borno state. They have many dialects spoken in the area. Some of the dialects include Nkafa, Fwea, Modi, Tilyi, Dakwa, Sina, etc. the Nkafa dialect is the most spoken and well understood by all. The people of Kamwe are well known in the state because of the tradition of how they name their children. They name their children according to birth with the first son known as Tizhe and first daughter as Kuve. The second son is named Zira and so on up to the 10th child.
10. FALI
The Fali people are found in the mountainous areas of Adamawa state. The Fali people are found primarily in Mubi districts. The Fulani and Hausa Muslims sometimes refer to the Fali People as Kirdi which means Pagans because they rejected Islamic religion and fought against the Jihadists.
11. KILBA
The Kilba people are the major occupants of Hong Local Government Area of the state. The people are known as a mountainous clan. Each mountain community is made up of several villages. Each village is ruled by a Töl which means ruler. The population of the Kilba people is estimated at about 330,000.
12. GAANDA GOMBI
The history of Gaanda has not been known to outsiders. The people occupy the rocky part of the State. They claim to have migrated to the west from the East led by their sacred pot known as Ngum Ngumi. They later settled in Gabun in Gombi local Government Area of the state. The people are said to have migrated to Gombi in 1844 even though some people believe they have been there longer than that. The population of the people is about 50,000.