One Adamawa, Many Tribes
The Adamawa Pulse Initiative
The heart of Adamawa beats with the voices of many peoples — each with a story as old as the hills, as strong as the rivers, and as enduring as the soil beneath our feet. Through the “One Adamawa, Many Tribes” series by the Adamawa Pulse Initiative, we are documenting these histories, bringing them to light so they will never fade.
Today, we explore the story of the Marghi people — an ancient ethnic group whose roots reach deep into the Mandara Mountains, and whose cultural resilience continues to shape their identity.
The Marghi People: From the Mandara Highlands to the Plains of Adamawa
The Marghi (or Margi) people are one of the major ethnic groups in the northeast of Nigeria. Their homeland historically spans southern Borno, northern Adamawa, and parts of Cameroon. In Adamawa State, they are concentrated in Madagali Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
They are part of the Chadic-speaking groups of the Afro-Asiatic language family, closely related to their neighbors like the Kamwe, Mandara, and Mafa peoples.
Origins and Migration
Historically, the Marghi trace their roots to the Mandara Mountains region along the Nigeria–Cameroon border. Oral history suggests that centuries ago, groups of Marghi migrated from the mountain ranges into the plains of Adamawa and Borno, where they settled in fertile valleys and river basins.
The reasons for migration were many — population pressure, search for farmland, conflicts with neighboring kingdoms, and slave raids during the precolonial period. Some groups remained in the mountains, while others became established in the plains, which is why there are different dialects and sub-groups of the Marghi people today.
Language and Subgroups
The Marghi language belongs to the Biu–Mandara branch of the Chadic family. It has several dialects due to the dispersal of Marghi settlements across mountains and plains.
Major Marghi subgroups include:
Marghi Dzirngu (Plains Marghi) – mainly in Adamawa and Borno.
Marghi Michika – settled around Michika and Madagali areas.
Marghi Babal – in Cameroon and borderlands.
Despite dialectal differences, there is a shared cultural identity that binds all Marghi together.
Society, Culture, and Livelihood
The Marghi people are historically farmers, with agriculture at the heart of their survival. They grow millet, sorghum, maize, beans, and groundnuts. Farming is not just economic but deeply cultural, with harvest festivals and rituals tied to agricultural cycles.
They are also known for blacksmithing, hunting, and craftwork. Iron tools and weapons forged by Marghi blacksmiths were once highly valued in the region.
Traditional Marghi society was organized into clan-based communities, often with elders and chiefs who settled disputes, organized rituals, and defended the community.
Their social life includes music, drumming, and elaborate dances — especially during festivals and initiation ceremonies.
Religion and Spirituality
Before the spread of Christianity and Islam, the Marghi practiced a traditional religion centered on ancestor worship and reverence for natural elements like mountains, rivers, and sacred groves. Shrines and rituals were common in every community.
With the arrival of missionaries in the 19th and 20th centuries, Christianity spread rapidly among the Marghi, particularly in Adamawa and Borno. Today, a large number of Marghi are Christians, though some still practice Islam, and traces of traditional spirituality survive in cultural rituals and folklore.
Colonial and Modern History
The Marghi were among the peoples affected by the expansion of the Bornu Empire and later the Fulani Jihad of the 19th century. Many Marghi communities resisted conquest and slave raids, especially in the mountainous areas where their terrain provided natural defense.
During colonial rule, the British incorporated Marghi territories into the Northern Provinces of Nigeria, grouping them administratively with neighboring ethnic groups. Despite this, the Marghi preserved their identity through language, festivals, and community structures.
Today, the Marghi people are spread across Adamawa, Borno, and Cameroon, with strong communities in Madagali (Adamawa) and Askira-Uba (Borno). They have produced respected leaders, academics, and public servants contributing to the wider Nigerian society.
Conclusion: A People of the Hills and Plains
The Marghi story is one of migration, survival, and adaptation. From their ancestral roots in the Mandara Mountains to their settlements across Adamawa and Borno, the Marghi people continue to honor their traditions while embracing modernity.
They are a reminder of Adamawa’s place as a crossroads of cultures, languages, and histories. As we move forward in the “One Adamawa, Many Tribes” series, the story of the Marghi reminds us that our diversity is not just about difference — it is about shared strength.
Because one Adamawa, many tribes — one pulse.
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