One Adamawa, Many Tribes
The Adamawa Pulse Initiative
Adamawa is a land of many voices, where every community tells a story that adds to the richness of our collective identity. Through the “One Adamawa, Many Tribes” series, the Adamawa Pulse Initiative continues to preserve and promote the unique histories of the peoples of Adamawa.
Today, we present the story of the Kilba (Huba) people — one of the oldest and most resilient ethnic groups of Adamawa State.
The Kilba People: A Mountain Heritage, A Lasting Identity
The Kilba people, who call themselves Huba, are one of the major ethnic groups in Adamawa State. They are concentrated in Hong Local Government Area, particularly around the Huba (Kilba) Hills. Their homeland stretches through rugged mountain ranges and fertile valleys, which shaped their history, culture, and survival strategies.
Origins and History
The Kilba trace their origins to migrations from the Mandara Mountains region, settling eventually in the Huba Hills centuries ago. Oral traditions suggest that their early ancestors chose the mountainous terrain for its defensive advantage against raids and invasions.
In the 19th century, the Kilba fiercely resisted the Fulani Jihad expansion into Adamawa. The battle of Pella (around 1850s) is one of the most remembered conflicts, where the Kilba defended their land against Fulani forces of the Adamawa Emirate. Though eventually subdued, the Kilba maintained much of their cultural autonomy within the Emirate system.
Language and Identity
The Kilba speak the Huba (Kilba) language, classified under the Biu-Mandara branch of the Chadic languages (Afro-Asiatic family). Despite the spread of Hausa, Fulfulde, and English, the Huba language remains widely spoken and serves as a strong cultural marker of Kilba identity.
Social and Political Organization
Traditionally, the Kilba were organized into clan-based communities, each governed by elders and chiefs. The most important traditional leader is the Huba (Kilba) chief, who presides over cultural, religious, and social matters.
Councils of elders mediated disputes, maintained order, and preserved traditions. Authority was collective, with emphasis on consensus and communal responsibility.
Religion and Beliefs
Before the spread of Christianity and Islam, the Kilba practiced a traditional religion centered on ancestral veneration and nature spirits. They believed in a Supreme Being, with lesser deities associated with mountains, rivers, and sacred groves.
Rituals, sacrifices, and festivals were important in maintaining harmony between the living and the ancestors. Today, most Kilba people are Christians, though traditional practices still influence cultural life.
Festivals and Cultural Life
The Kilba are known for their colorful festivals and dances.
Hyel-Tagi Festival – a major cultural event featuring dances, songs, and displays of traditional regalia.
Seasonal festivals mark planting and harvest cycles, celebrating fertility and communal unity.
Traditional dances and drumming remain integral during weddings, initiation ceremonies, and funerals.
Livelihood and Economy
The Kilba are primarily farmers, cultivating millet, guinea corn, maize, groundnuts, and beans. Farming is supplemented by hunting, animal rearing, and crafts.
The fertile valleys of the Huba Hills supported intensive agriculture, while the mountains provided defense and additional resources like firewood, clay, and wild game.
Colonial and Modern History
During British colonial rule, the Kilba were grouped under the Adamawa Province. Missionary activities introduced Christianity and Western education, which spread rapidly among the Kilba.
In modern Nigeria, the Kilba have produced many notable leaders, scholars, and public servants. Hong town today serves as a political and cultural hub of the Kilba people.
Conclusion: Guardians of the Hills, Carriers of Tradition
The Kilba (Huba) people are a community forged by their mountains, tested by history, and strengthened by unity. Their language, festivals, and resilience continue to mark them as one of Adamawa’s most distinct and influential ethnic groups.
Because one Adamawa, many tribes — one pulse.
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