One Adamawa, Many Tribes
The Adamawa Pulse Initiative
Every tribe in Adamawa carries within it a living archive — stories of migration, resilience, and cultural pride. Through the “One Adamawa, Many Tribes” series by the Adamawa Pulse Initiative, we are documenting and celebrating these treasures of identity.
Today, we journey to the rugged northeast of Adamawa to meet the Kamwe people — a resilient ethnic group known for their warrior spirit, cultural pride, and unique traditions.
The Kamwe (Higgi) People: Children of the Hills, Keepers of Courage
The Kamwe people, also widely referred to as Higgi, are one of the prominent ethnic groups in Adamawa and neighboring Borno States. They are concentrated in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa, with some communities spread into the Mandara Mountain ranges that link Nigeria to Cameroon.
The name “Higgi” is commonly used by outsiders but is often considered derogatory. The people prefer to call themselves Kamwe, which means “the people of the same culture or language.”
Origins and Settlement
The Kamwe trace their origin to the Mandara highlands, where their ancestors settled centuries ago. Oral traditions describe them as mountain people — strong, resilient, and fiercely protective of their homeland. The rugged terrain of the Mandara Mountains provided both protection against invading forces and a fertile base for farming.
Their history is marked by resistance: the Kamwe are remembered as one of the groups that courageously resisted slave raids, Fulani expansion, and later colonial intrusion. Their warrior reputation is still celebrated in folk songs and oral traditions today.
Language and Identity
The Kamwe speak Kamwe language, part of the Chadic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. It is a language rich in folklore, proverbs, and oral poetry.
Though Hausa, Fulfulde, and English are widely spoken in Michika due to trade and education, the Kamwe language remains a strong marker of identity, particularly in rural communities and in cultural festivals.
Culture and Festivals
Kamwe culture is deeply tied to the land, seasons, and spirituality. Their traditional festivals are colorful, dramatic, and filled with meaning.
One of the most popular is the Kamwe Cultural Festival, often held in Michika, which showcases traditional dances, masquerades, wrestling, drumming, and displays of warrior heritage. These festivals are not only about entertainment but also about reinforcing community bonds and passing ancestral values to younger generations.
The masquerades play an especially important role — believed to represent ancestral spirits, they appear during festivals, initiation ceremonies, and communal rituals.
Spirituality and Religion
Before the spread of Christianity and Islam, the Kamwe practiced an ancestral and nature-based religion. They believed in a Supreme Being but also revered ancestral spirits, sacred groves, and natural symbols such as mountains and rivers. Priests and elders acted as mediators between the living and the spiritual world.
Today, Christianity is very widespread among the Kamwe, with churches playing a central role in education, healthcare, and community life. Yet, echoes of traditional spirituality still survive in proverbs, taboos, and cultural practices.
Livelihood and Way of Life
The Kamwe are primarily farmers, making the most of their mountainous environment. They cultivate crops such as guinea corn, millet, maize, beans, and groundnuts. Livestock rearing, hunting, and trading supplement their livelihoods.
Kamwe villages are typically communal, with strong family bonds and extended kinship systems. Respect for elders, communal farming, and traditional age-grade systems remain important parts of their social structure.
Conclusion: The Spirit of Michika
The Kamwe people embody the strength of the hills and the endurance of tradition. From their warrior past to their vibrant cultural present, they stand as a proud reminder of Adamawa’s diversity and resilience.
As we continue through the “One Adamawa, Many Tribes” series, the story of the Kamwe tells us that even in the face of mountains — both literal and historical — a people’s identity can remain unshaken.
Because one Adamawa, many tribes — one pulse.
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